Last weekend Saul Alvarez became Floyd Mayweather Jr’s 45th victim and his unbeaten run doesn’t look liked ending any time soon.
With ‘Canelo’ outclassed, Mayweather’s brilliance means there is a real dearth of quality opponents out there.
Two fights into a six-bout deal, ‘Money’ needs four more quality opponents before he pulls the plug on his outstanding odyssey in the ring.
But who can trouble the pound-for-pound king? Who can ask questions of the undefeated multiple world title-holder?
With the age-defying Mayweather holding belts at welterweight (147 pounds) and junior middleweight (154 pounds), there are just a few options.
His mate Adrien Broner, a mini wannabe-Mayweather, is one. Broner is young, brash and has a 27-0 record.
There is another fellow American, Devon Alexander, who is defending his IBF strap against Amir Khan on December 7.
Khan is also being touted as a possible Mayweather opponent, but arguably more for his standing in the British market and his ability to generate interest there than for his 28 and 3 record.
There’s also Timothy Bradley, who beat Alexander in 2011 and controversially outpointed Manny Pacquiao last year.
Bradley faces Mexican veteran Juan Manuel Marquez next month and, of course, Marquez is the man who knocked out Pacquiao and Australia’s Michael Katsidis.
But at 40 and having already been Mayweather’s 40th victim, back in 2009 by a unanimous points decision, it’s unlikely ‘Money’ would go back to Marquez.
At junior middleweight the choices are also pretty limited – Carlos Molina, Austin Trout and the already-vanquished Alvarez.
At welterweight he has already beaten most of them – Marquez, Robert Guerrero, Shane Mosley. Kell Brook might be a bit of wildcard but – like Bradley, Alexander and Khan – he would be a huge long shot.
At the division below, light welterweight (140 pounds), there is the up-and-coming Danny Garcia. He is young and undefeated, but a date with the man known as ‘Pretty Boy’ would probably be a step too far.
Someone who would give Mayweather a proper contest, a challenge over 12 rounds, is scarce. It is unlikely buddies Broner and Mayweather would fight and, even if they did, you could argue Broner is too inexperienced at this early stage of his career.
Everyone would have loved to see a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight a few years ago. There’s plenty who would still love to see it now. But that seems as likely as a ring comeback from Muhummad Ali.
Pacquiao is with Top Rank and the animosity between the two camps runs deep.
The Filipino’s heavy defeat at the hands of Marquez was effectively a nail in that coffin anyway. Pacquaio would need to demolish Brandon Rios, at the same time as hell freezing over, for that bout to eventuate.
It remains a shame the two greats will never share a ring.
Getting ‘Money’ to go up to 160 pounds, or getting some of the top middleweights to come down to junior middleweight, is where things get a little interesting.
In that division two names stand out – Sergio Martinez and Gennday Golovkin.
Martinez is an experienced, world-class but ageing fighter. He is becoming injury-prone, but if the Argentine is fully fit it could be an intriguing battle.
Golovkin is the KO Kazah king, yet to be beaten after 27 fights and possessing real power.
The defensive specialist against the man who loves to knock people out. That would get many excited.
The other bolter is super middleweight champ Andre Ward. The WBA’s super champion, Ward is a 29-year old San Franciscan who has outpointed the likes of Mikkel Kessler, Australian-based Sako Bika, Arthur Abraham, Carl Forch and Chad Dawson on the way to his 29 straight victories.
A 2004 Olympian gold medal winner at light heavyweight, however, the weight difference between Ward and Mayweather would definitely be a big stumbling point.
Mayweather is after a challenge but there’s not much chance of him giving 21 pounds, or even 14, to an opponent.
So as boxing’s biggest star rests up after another one-sided victory, the questions remain.
Who is next? Who could make an interesting and engaging bout in the final stages of his long and storied career?
There is no clear-cut answer.
But I don’t think Anthony Mundine should be hanging by the phone waiting for a call at this stage.
John
Guest
What! Spadafora beat Floyd in that sparring match. Floyd was outclassed. That's why Floyd no longer allows any of his sparring matches to be recorded. When Floyd was preparing for the Canelo fight, an upcoming, young African American fighter gave him a black-eye during sparring. Rumors have it that Floyd was so angry about it that he kicked the fighter out. It was only after much persuasion that Floyd brought him back. Floyd try to cover it by saying that he didn't know if the black-eye was a result of a punch or head clashing. The truth is that it was a punch. Now granted Floyd was out of shape when he sparred Him, but the facts remain. Floyd lost that match against Spadafora. Many also believe that Floyd lost the first fight against Castillo.
fj
Guest
I tink pac should fight khan and the winner figh maywether as for ward he backed down from maywether already my opian is that mayweter knows exacly who hes next four fights are going to be agains and he will win all but one of them becuse they have being studing all of them since last year he will out piont hes next 3 oppoents then if pacman is not retird by then fight him get the k.o and finsh hes legacy as the most sucsevl fighter ever he has it all planed out
Don't be stupid
Guest
Boxing provides more fame and fortune than all of those sports combined. They are all just watered down versions of sports played outside of America. I however do not think it is biasedness toward American fighters causing the focus on the lower weight classes. Welterweight is just where all the best fighters have been for the last few years. Fighters like Pacquaio, Marquez and Mayweather have come through the divisions showing their skill and giving exciting fights for over a decade now. Until we get that depth of equal talent at heavyweight again or the Klitschkos retire then the likes of deontay wilder, tyson fury and a few of the other younger heavyweights can revive the division.
eryan89
Guest
I agree - those blokes are the best athletes in the world
Guest
Guest
Please all of the american Heavyweights play in the NBA, NFL, NHL. If these sports weren't so lucrative the HW belt would still be in America.
Bones506
Roar Guru
no no no - MUNDINE for sure (this comment is dripping with sarcasm).
Wes vinson
Guest
I think Paul spadafora is on his way to get a chance at Mayweather yes Paul messed up in many ways but he's undefeated and Ko like 40 percent of his fights Floyd sparred years ago with Paul n got mopped up i think Floyd K ow who not to fight Pac man for one!
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Firstly there's little or no chance of Mayweather fighting Bradley or Martinez. Both are tied to HBO. Whereas Martinez is with ShoTime. Secondly Bradley is with Top Rank and they won't deal with Golden Boy. Most realistic targets are Danny Garcia(undefeated and Mayweather loves taking that 0), Devon Alexander(unifing WBC/IBF/Linear titles), Amir Khan(just for the payday. Khan's glass chin gets KO'd inside 3 rounds). The most intriguing fight would be against Cuban Erislandy Lara. He's the WBA interim light middleweight champion, so basically Mayweather's mandatory at 154. Lara is technically excellent. Fast hands and a feast defence. Lara should be undefeated, but was robbed against Paul Williams
Shane
Guest
Golovkin - for the test. He's the only one with any kind of advantage (weight, power, speed), but for that reason he won't take it. Martinez - Cuz Martinez deserves it but not sure if he'd be up to it by now and Money will never take it anyway. Bradley or another title holder - because of the title.
freddie
Guest
Let Floyd face Pacquiao. Yes he says he tried to make the fight happen but there were obstacles but that can't prevent a fight from happening if the guys genuinely want the fight. If Pacquiao is a has-been then let Floyd prove it or if Pacquiao really wants the fight (on the other hand), he has to man-up and make his demand to Arum
Jimmy recard
Guest
Floyd will retire undefeated guaranteed. His deal will see him close his fights with an amazing pay packet, the only people who come to mind are broner (basically emulates floyd), Bradley, Martinez, or khan... Lets face it no name will make for exciting viewing all floyds fights are hope... Hope that we see an upset! He's just to damn good. The paqcuio fight is what we all want but it's lost it's aura. Fighters like julio chavez jr, or the memory of Arturo gatti are fighters that are exciting to watch, heart and pride and toughness is exciting . When your the king of the ring like floyd you fight who you want and win when you want
The Greatest Game of All
Guest
Point is you brought up race possibly being the reason for no one discussing Eastern European boxers. In that context, you then use the words lesser, inferior, crush and dominate. If you read the article again you'll notice the fighters mentioned are from over a half dozen nationalities/backgrounds, Floyd just fought a red haired Mexican, wasn't an issue for fight fans. Currently Las Vegas is the "Mecca" of boxing, love it or hate it, you want money, worldwide fame and glory then going to America is your best chance. USA is a saturated sports market, have you considered that maybe all the athletic big guys are being drawn to other sports like basketball, American football, baseball, MMA? Maybe theyre all In the army i dont know. I'm not saying that's THE reason USA don't produce the Johnsons, Dempseys, Tunneys, Louis, Marcianos, Alis, Fraziers, Foremans, Holmes, Tysons, Holyfields lately, just throwing it out there. The Klitschko Bros hold all the belts, maybe you should write an article about them, I'd read it.
Robert shepherd
Guest
What about gamboa or rigondeaux? Floyd could fight one of them maybe?
Samual Johnson
Guest
Point is, you are discussing these Yank fighters because they refuse to acknowledge other countries. It really is pathetic. They have not have a contender in the big time in a decade. There is a retired Russian army major who is wiping the floor with all of them. Now they are working out why the Germans got their backsides handed to them on the eastern front. Too big, too powerful and too hard.
The Greatest Game of All
Guest
Nah, didn't you know it's all the massive Eastern European men who dominate boxing and that the only reason Sugar Ray Robinson is considered the greatest of all time is because he's American, and black.
The Greatest Game of All
Guest
Will probably be Khan at Wembley. I think Floyd should go up to Middleweight and fight JCC Jr first then Sergio Martinez then Golovkin. I think Floyd wants Broner to be the next king after he's retired so I don't think that fight will happen.
Mark
Guest
Bernard Hopkins could beat both brothers in my opinion.
Samual Johnson
Guest
Interesting that since the Americans are unable to provide heavyweight champions any longer, no one seems to be interested anymore. Good old American self interest or is it racism? Who gives a toss about middleweights, the heavyweights would crush them. We only discuss these lesser weights because that is all the Americans can pull out nowadays. The inferior weight divisions. It is all the massive eastern European men who dominate boxing. Vitali Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin
IanW
Guest
The article already answered this ... Money will go after the fight he can win that gives the most money. "Khan is also being touted as a possible Mayweather opponent, but arguably more for his standing in the British market and his ability to generate interest there than for his 28 and 3 record."
Seriously, Who says Oi?
Guest
Nice title. Maybe Garcia for his next bout.