Floyd Mayweather Fight 2014: Examining Potential Future Opponents
After Floyd Mayweather's first bout with Marcos Maidana, many boxing fans were clamoring for a rematch—El Chino's brute power and aggressiveness in the ring caused problems for the usually fleet-footed champion. Well, after Money had his way with the challenger on Saturday, we all learned the first fight was more of an aberration.
With Mayweather's second consecutive victory over Maidana, the pound-for-pound king now holds a career record of 47-0. He does receive some scrutiny due to his ability to hand-pick opponents; however, maintaining his undefeated standing over the years is still an impressive feat.
Money has two fights left on his current contract with Showtime. That leaves us to beg the question: Who will be opponents 48 and 49? With his next fight likely around May of 2015, we can begin to speculate. Here's a look at three potential future opponents and what they bring to the table.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Amir Khan
Khan seems to be the most likely candidate to fight Money next time around. He is a well-known fighter who many think could give the champion fits due to his quickness. Putting his name next to Mayweather's for a main event will rack up pay-per-view sales. Also under the Golden Boy banner, Khan won't be an issue for fight promotions.
After losing in back-to-back fights—a split decision to Lamont Peterson and TKO to Danny Garcia—Khan fought back in a big way, winning his next three fights against Carlos Molina, Julio Diaz and Luis Collazo.
With Khan's winning ways intact once more, Mayweather hasn't ruled him out as a potential opponent. The champ had this to say, via Jonny Singer of the Daily Mail:
"Amir Khan is a solid, good competitor, he's a good fighter. We don't know who I'm fighting right now, we don't really know. I'm not rushing. If that fight happened to come my way then we'll make it happen...
...But Amir Khan's a good fighter, of course. I mean I think when Amir Khan was an amateur, I was champion. And then when Amir Khan turned pro and got knocked out, I was champion. Then when Amir Khan got knocked out again I was champion. And then when he lost his belt again I'm still champion and I'm still right here.
"
With Mayweather not only alluding to the fact he may fight Khan next, but even beginning a bit of trash talk, we could consider him to be Money's most logical next opponent.
Miguel Cotto
Since Mayweather has allowed one rematch recently, why not another? Cotto was defeated by unanimous decision the last time he faced the champ; however, he put up a valiant effort and really made Money work for his victory.
Cotto took a bit to rebound from the loss, following it up by dropping his next bout to Austin Trout. However, he's fared well since, winning by TKO against Delvin Rodriguez and by referee technical decision against Sergio Gabriel Martinez—Cotto dominated both fights.
Recently, Cotto announced on Twitter that he wouldn't be fighting for the remainder of 2014:
This aligns his timeline with Mayweather's, as both fighters will be well rested before returning to the ring.
Manny Pacquiao
This is the matchup everyone wants to see. It seems as though Mayweather has been dancing around a fight with Pacquiao forever now. The Filipino southpaw has been deemed by many as the one opponent who could potentially defeat Mayweather. However, that remains to be seen.
Pacquiao is 35 years of age already, and he hasn't been able to put opponents away like he used to. In fact, the last time he won a fight by any form of a knockout was against Cotto back in 2009. He's lost twice since then—both in 2012—but is currently on a two-fight winning streak with Chris Algieri next up on the slate in November.
Like Cotto, Pacquiao's schedule lines up with Mayweather's, as he should be good to go to fight again in May. Surprisingly enough, Money didn't shy away from the possibility of fighting Pac Man when asked about it after defeating Maidana, via FightNights.com:
Adding to the possibility of a potential superfight taking shape was boxing promoter Bob Arum. During an interview with The San Francisco Chronicle, he was "very optimistic" about the fight. He added, "Both networks want this fight to happen. All signs seem to point to the fight happening early next year."
That fight would set the boxing world ablaze if it were to happen. Although, as we know by now, we shouldn't hold our breath.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
