Floyd “Picks” an Opponent: That’s the Problem

What is really going on in the world? Dale Jr. won a race, gay athletes are not having the bible thrown at them at every turn, and Floyd Mayweather has picked an opponent for his pre-booked May third bout.

Now if you’re reading that, I’m sure you know one of those don’t really belong in the triad of mentions. Yes, Floyd has picked an opponent. However, there is absolutely nothing new about this scenario. In fact, this scenario is THE problem with the sport I grew up loving.

I know Floyd is the man, in fact, probably the only “man” in boxing. By saying “man”, I mean the only boxer who is marketable in a way that makes everyone want to see his bouts. His pay per views always have great numbers, for whatever the reason may be.

The issue has never been Floyd’s skill, not even his trash talking. For me, the issue is the very notion that Floyd wants to be known as the greatest just because he’s never lost but is constantly hand picking his fights. It would be different if he were just negotiating the fights. That is certainly a different discussion.

Even in this case, where Golden Boy is clearly running out of big name options for Floyd to fight, he had two choices. One was a highly dangerous fighter, in Marcos Maidana. The other was a highly skilled boxer, in Amir Khan. The average boxing fan is going to think Floyd made the tougher choice, but I’m going to bed to differ.

Floyd’s biggest advantage is not his speed, while it certainly helps. It is not that Mayweather shell defense, that he has perfected to the point where its amazing to watch. His biggest advantage is his distance. Floyd always fights at his distance and makes the opponent have to try and get right into range. Whether he slips the shot (which is usually beautiful) or gets off his own (usually just ok).

Amir Khan posed the biggest threat to his distance. He’s long, quick, and moves really well in the ring. Amir Khan’s only issue in the ring has been fighters like Maidana who were willing to trade shots. Floyd is not much of a shot trader and would have certainly been bothered by Khan.

Fight fans, especially Floyd’s fans will look at this and think that Floyd made the tougher choice. No, he simply took the guy that would’ve brought in the most pay per view buys, along with posing the least threat to his precious undefeated streak.

In fact, I’m calling for a Floyd knockout. If this goes past four rounds, I’d be thoroughly surprised. Maidana will not stop pressing and Floyd will continue to tag him with flush shots. That would not have been the case with Amir Khan and I think the process of naming an opponent took so long because Floyd and his camp probably knew it.

Also, Maidana has been the most current notable. There is no doubt that Khan is the better boxer, given that he won their aforementioned bout. Maidana had an amazing night and took out one of the best young fighters in boxing, Adrien Broner. That, alone with the lack of big name talent in Golden Boy’s 140-154 stable made this process the slow one that it eventually became.

That begs the question, what if Broner had of handled business that night? Many didn’t give Maidana a chance that night and I’m wondering who would Floyd have picked given a Broner victory. I suppose we know who it wouldn’t have been.

In no way am I saying Khan would beat him. However, he would’ve surely bothered him. Just like every boxing fan out there, I’m going to find a way to watch this bout. Why? Because Floyd is still brilliant and at his age, he does not have many fights left. I’ll covet that but I’ll do it knowing that the greatest of this generation is brilliant, and picky. Basically, Floyd has swindled us yet again!

University of Mississippi graduate in Broadcast Journalism. Huge lover of sports with a bigger love for people.