Mayweather, who recently turned 36, defeated Victor Ortiz in September 2011 to claim the WBC welterweight belt, before following it up by dethroning WBA 154lb ‘super’ champion Miguel Cotto on May 5 of last year to reign at two different weights.
There had been some confusion as to whether Mayweather could keep one or both of his titles after his incarceration in the summer of 2012 and subsequent lack of activity, although Mendoza stated that ‘Money’ has up to six more months to put his WBA belt on the line.
“Mayweather has the right to request a special permit,” Mendoza told World Boxing News when asked whether the pound for pound king would be stripped for not defending his title within a year.
Mendoza was then quizzed as to whether Mayweather had a certain amount of time in which to defend the belt before it becomes vacant – to which he replied: “Although he has not requested a permit yet, I may have to check – but I believe he has up to eighteen months (to defend his title).”
That does seem lenient on the double title-holder and would possibly allow Mayweather to keep both belts until at least the end of 2013 if he decides to put the WBA title up in September for a unification with Saul Alvarez.
All of that is obviously dependent on Mayweather coming through Robert Guerrero in Las Vegas this spring, although the 43-0 PPV star will head into the ‘Cinco de Mayweather clash at a heavy favourite to remain undefeated.
