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Jeff Mayweather, Floyd and the Welterweights
TUE November 8, BUSTER PARIS - I’ve got to be honest – I’m really glad that Floyd Mayweather is leaving the Jr. Welterweight division and going up the seven pounds to Welterweight.
It’s a great and exciting new challenge for Floyd - and selfishly – it’s the best news I’ve heard in a while – I’ll explain more about that later.
I recently came across a letter written by Jeff Mayweather – who in addition to being Floyd’s uncle is a former (1994) IBO Jr. Lightweight Champion (34 wins, 10 losses and 5 draws). In his letter he discusses Floyd and his upcoming fight against former Jr. Welterweight Champion Sharmba Mitchell: [doghouse boxing - source]
“What stands out to me about this bout is the fact that it is taking place in the Welterweight division, yet another new territory that Floyd will look to conquer. To me this is another new chapter in Floyd's ongoing quest for greatness and I feel he will be successful.”
I’m right there with Uncle Jeff. I think Floyd will be successful in this fight and in the Welterweight division.
I think without question he’ll be facing stronger and harder hitting opponents than he has in the past, but let’s be honest – with Floyd’s fantastic skills and unparalleled speed it’s doubtful anyone will really be able to land a significant punch on him.
Continuing to discuss the Welterweights and in the same spirit of honesty Uncle Jeff goes on to say:
“To be honest, when I look at the Welterweight division I don’t see what other people see. I think the division is actually pretty weak outside of a few names and I only give the top guys a puncher’s chance at beating Floyd.”
I agree to a point. I see seven fighters that I think would be rather thorny and difficult for “Pretty Boy” Floyd:
-Zab Judah (34 wins, 2 losses)
-Shane Mosley (41 wins, 4 losses)
-Cory Spinks (34 wins, 3 losses)
-Antonio Margarito (32 wins, 4 losses)
-Luis Collazo (26 wins, 1 loss)
-Sharmba Mitchell (56 wins, 4 losses)
-Miguel Gonzalez (49 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw)
Jeff Mayweather sees the division as “actually pretty weak outside of a few names” – those names are Antonio Margarito, “Sugar” Shane Mosley and of course Zab Judah.
When it comes to Margarito Jeff goes on to say that:
“Antonio Margarito is a strong, durable guy but he is simply too slow to deal with someone like Floyd. With Margarito it is as if you see everything coming and this will be even more apparent with Floyd, who relies on his great reflexes as part of his attack.”
What about “Sugar” Shane Mosley?
“There was a time when a fight between my nephew and Shane Mosley would have been a great fight, even a toss up, but now Shane is on the decline and I can’t see him dealing with Floyd’s speed. Shane is a threat because of his speed and strength, but something is missing from his game. He’s just not the same fighter anymore. I feel that Floyd would box Shane and pick him apart from the outside.”
And when it comes to “Super” Zab Judah - Jeff thinks that his nephew’s expedition into the land of the Welterweights is all about this showdown.
“As talented as Zab is, and for all of his speed and intensity, I feel that a match up against Floyd is all wrong for him. Zab is a reckless fighter and that will play right into Floyd’s hands. With the recent bad blood boiling I just don’t feel that Judah will fight a smart fight and if he comes out aggressively I could see things ending before the 4th round is over. Judah does have power and he could end things with a good shot, but Floyd can crack as well and it’s his fight to win or lose.”
No matter how you look at it there are no easy tasks waiting for Floyd Mayweather Jr. I’m just really glad he’s moving out of the Jr. Welterweights.
Why am I so thrilled about this move? That’s easy – and I can sum it up in 5 words:
Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.
Ricky and Miguel are two of the best fighters out there and I am a huge fan of both of them. I’m addicted to the way that Hatton fights and I think that Cotto has the potential to be one of the greatest technically savvy fighters we’ve ever had the good fortune to see.
The conflict arises in that I’m also a huge fan of Floyd Mayweather and I consider him to be the best pound per pound fighter fighting today - and simply put - I’m not ready for these guys to fight each other.
Yes I know it would be great for boxing, but I don’t want it to happen yet - although at the same time I know that if it doesn’t happen soon – in like 3 years, then we’ve missed the greatest opportunity for some of the most brilliant boxing action in decades.
With Mayweather moving up in weight it thankfully buys me some more time – which bring us back to the conversation at hand – Floyd Mayweather as a Welterweight.
Considering everything as it currently is could “Pretty Boy” Floyd be the undisputed Welterweight Champion of the World?
Jeff Mayweather says:
“I don’t see anyone at 147 lbs. beating Floyd Mayweather. I feel that he is composed and experienced enough to deal with any situation and that his talent and skills would give him an edge over anyone in that weight class. I believe it is when Floyd moves to 154 lbs. that he will possibly lose against someone like Winky Wright. I don’t know for sure if Winky is going to be at 160 or 154 lbs. in the future, but I do know that he has the style and the size to possibly hand Floyd his first defeat. Wright has a great defense, sound fundamentals, and he is simply the bigger man. It could be a case of size over talent in that one.”
“Size over talent” – reading that gives me the chills, those words are so ominous. At what point is size an issue for Floyd who began at Jr. Lightweight? – that’s 3 divisions ago and 17 lbs lighter – in boxing that’s a lot of weight.
147 pounds - this will be Mayweather’s heaviest fighting weight and on November 19 2005 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon he’ll be fighting against his heaviest opponent – and this guy’s an ex Champion to boot - one Sharmba “Little Big Man” Mitchell.
Is this really Floyd’s fight to win or lose?
Again – I’ve gotta say that no matter how you look at it there really are no easy tasks waiting for “Pretty Boy” Floyd. It’s only going to get more difficult from here.
If anyone is up for the challenge though – it’s Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
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