Floyd Mayweather's Next Fight Must Be Low-Risk Before Potential Pacquiao Rematch

The highly anticipated clash between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao did not live up to the hype. In fact, it isn’t much of a stretch to say fans were cheated from the fight they wanted because Pac-Man was apparently nowhere near 100 percent.

That sounds like the early rumblings of a rematch.

Dan Rafael of ESPN.com noted that Pacquiao will undergo right shoulder surgery because of a tear in his rotator cuff. It will keep the southpaw out of action for nine to 12 months, and it prevented him from unleashing his typically aggressive style of fighting against Mayweather.

Instead, it turned into a defensive contest, which is exactly where Mayweather thrives.

As if the injury wasn’t enough ammunition for rematch speculation, Chuck Schilken of the Los Angeles Times said Tuesday that Mayweather himself told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith that he is willing to fight Pacquiao instead of retiring in September, which should be music to the ears of fans looking for another clash.

However, the 48-0 Mayweather has another fight to worry about before the Pac-Man rumors begin anew, since there is one more bout on his contract with Showtime.

In theory, Mayweather’s next fight could be his last fight, but the incentive of finishing 50-0 with a rematch victory over the one boxer who has been tied to Mayweather during the second half of his career will be too enticing to pass up. A victory over Pacquiao in a rematch would also quiet any criticism that claims Mayweather only won the first time around because of Pacquiao’s shoulder injury.

Of course, the only way to set up the “rematch of the century” is with a victory in bout No. 49. That is why Mayweather cannot afford to take any chances, even if he is the best boxer of his generation. One slip would ruin his perfect record, which defines his in-the-ring accomplishments, and it would take most of the steam away from a potential rematch.

The ironic thing about claiming Mayweather’s next fight should be low-risk is that his fighting style makes almost every bout low-risk. His opponents simply cannot hit him in any damaging fashion throughout the course of a fight because of his overwhelming defensive ability and technical skill.

Mayweather’s propensity to duck serious blows often frustrates the other boxer (and those who paid big money to see more punching), but it ultimately leads to victories. Sure, it may seem as if Mayweather’s opponents have some early momentum in the opening rounds, but Money always finds a way to adjust mid-bout and control the stretch run.

His defense, footwork and ability to keep his opponent at bay with timely and accurate jabs are too much to overcome.

That is exactly the formula he unleashed against Pacquiao, and if he can do it against Pac-Man, he can do it against anyone else in the sport today.

The question now becomes who Mayweather’s next opponent should be with so much at stake.

Isaac Brekken/Associated Press

Floyd Mayweather Sr. described part of the problem, per Joe Garza of Yahoo Sports: “There really ain’t no challengers out there, if you look at it. You look at the ratings and stuff, you don’t see no challengers out there. I don’t see any challengers out there.”

Amir Khan is a possibility, although Mayweather Sr. called him “an easy opponent,” per Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph. Mayweather also already beat Miguel Cotto—who is another candidate— in 2012.

Mayweather’s overall skill level will be far too much for either of those boxers, which is actually an ideal situation, considering he wants to get to that potential Pac-Man fight with his perfect record intact.

Another possible foe is Danny Garcia, especially since the undefeated challenger doesn’t have much momentum in his corner after narrow wins over Lamont Peterson and Mauricio Herrera. Garcia also hasn’t eased into the welterweight division yet, and doing so against Mayweather isn’t exactly the formula for success.

It is the formula for a 49-0 record for Mayweather before another date with Pac-Man, though.

One name that constitutes more of a risk than Mayweather is willing to take at this point is Keith Thurman. Thurman is also undefeated and is known for his impressive power, which makes him a knockout threat. He doesn’t have much fanfare around him yet, but a shot at Mayweather would change that.

John Locher/Associated Press

Garza doesn’t think that will happen: “At 26, he is young and a big puncher, but without a big name or big following, he could be deemed an unnecessary risk for Mayweather’s final fight.”

There is nothing to gain and everything to lose for Mayweather in that situation. He’s not about to take that strategy in the twilight of his undefeated career.