The Boxing Diary

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Friday, May 31, 2013

Mayweather Jr. vs. Canelo: Is Floyd pressured to fight Alvarez?




Floyd Mayweather Jr. posted in his twitter account on Thursday that he will fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 14 at the MGM Grand.

“I chose my opponent for September 14th and it's Canelo Alvarez. I'm giving the fans what they want. It will be at the MGM Grand.”

Before even a heated discussion for this match-up begun, Mayweather gave his decision to fight the most dangerous opponent in boxing today.

I can’t help, but to get so excited about this decision Mayweather just took. This is a fight that salvages the most anticipated fight for almost half a decade, the Mayweather-Pacquiao super-fight. But what comes to my mind is that why Mayweather took the decision so soon. I’m not saying it is a bad decision; in fact it is good for the fans and for the sport of boxing.

However, looking into the past decisions of Mayweather in picking opponents, it seems to me that his decision to fight Alvarez is too soon. I anticipate that he will delay this fight and will look for other opponent on his second fight for his Showtime 6-fight deal. This is to build-up more hype and to entice the fans. I am expecting that a Canelo fight will be the finale on his contract.

I can’t hold my gut to say that, is Mayweather took a lot of pressure to fight Canelo now than fighting him last?

We can’t deny the fact that the Mayweather-Guerrero didn’t met expectation. The pay-per-view buys didn’t hit the million mark, which is always a Mayweather number--every time he fights. According to Forbes magazine, Showtime lost $ 12 million. To salvage the contract, I think Mayweather took tremendous pressure to fight Canelo which I believe could bring the most number of Benjamin’s than any other fighter including Pacquiao. In fact, Mayweather agree to fight Canelo above the welterweight limit.

With the above being said, true or not, Canelo, not truly worthy but also dangerous for Mayweather. At 22, Canelo is strong, hungry and experience at 44-0. He has the skill and heart to face the uncanny defense system of Mayweather.

Let the discussion begin that boxing has to offer courtesy of the world’s best—Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Source: www.theroar.com

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Two possible opponents for Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s next fight

Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s started contractual obligation to his massive 6-fight deal with Showtime with a fight against Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero in May. The undefeated Mayweather won with ease via unanimous decision. The ongoing question is who he will fight next?


Here are my top three possible opponents for the highest paid athlete for two consecutive years.

Devon Alexander

Before the Mayweather-Guerrero fight, boxing insiders were already talking that Guerrero deserves the jackpot to fight Mayweather because of his gutsy performance against Andre Berto.

However, to the surprise of many, Mayweather tweet that negotiations for a fight with Devon Alexander are almost done.

“The negotiations for my fight are almost done. The front runner is IBF Champion Devon Alexander. It’d be a unification bout at welterweight.” 

Nevertheless, Mayweather-Alexander fight did not materialize because Alexander was already under contractual obligation to defend his IBF title against Kell Brook. And Alexander also injured his biceps during training that made it uncertain if he will be able to fight on Cinco de Mayo.

Mayweather and Alexander won their last fight and the obvious interest of the former to fight the latter; I don’t see any reason for this fight not to happen.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez

The Mayweather-Guerrero fight originally had Alvarez-Trout bout as part of the undercard.  Alvarez, marketing wise could add his Mexican fan for Showtime’s Cinco de Mayo boxing event.
 
However, Alvarez pulled out from the card because Mayweather Jr. refuse to put into writing a verbal agreement to fight Canelo next.

“I'm tired of being accessible to fight him, since he never was real in what he was talking. The truth is he does not want to fight me. I will continue doing my own history."

With the above being said by Alvarez doesn’t mean it erased the fact that sharing spotlight with Mayweather Jr. will give him the richest paycheck so far in his career.  Money being a proven motivator could lure Canelo to fight Mayweather Jr.  And agree to all his (Floyd) conditions.







Sunday, May 19, 2013

Where Manny Pacquiao will shift focus after re-elected in Phil. Congress?

Manny Pacquiao has been reelected in the Philippine Congress uncontested. He is the representative of the lone district in Sarangani. His wife Jinky also won as Vice Governor in Sarangani in her first attempt to politics.

During the period of political campaign, I seldom heard Pacman talking boxing. His focus at that time was politics. A good thing he must do: to focus on something what he actually doing at hand.


Now that Manny Pacquiao won and reelected as congressman, what will be his next move? Where he will focus his attention now? Is it show-business, preaching or boxing?

Pacquaio, a man who like to do multiple things while in a training for a fight. Some boxing insiders admired him how he handle distractions. But that was before his back to back losses.

Pacquiao's devastating loss to long-time rival, Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in December some blame for his lack of focus and having too many distractions. It is noted that he skipped Alex Ariza's conditioning training. And show up in the Wild Card Gym two weeks late for the scheduled training due to pressing matters outside boxing.

If Pacquiao wanted to regain his faded glory in the ring, he should shift focus to boxing. He must start to assess himself if there is still fire in him that would fuel him in the ring.