The 36-year-old, who schooled respected three-weight world champion Robert Guerrero in Las Vegas on Saturday night, is just one fight into his big-money agreement with the network. The WBC welterweight title-holder will hang up his gloves after that.
‘Money’ Mayweather is currently boasting a remarkable 44-0 record. It comes on the back of his stunning performance at the MGM Grand.
On that evidence, it is unlikely to be defeated before he decides to call it a day.
That would mean that Mayweather could potentially retire on 49-0. The same record as legendary champion Rocky Marciano.
Marciano left the sport in 1955 as the undisputed heavyweight champion with a victory over Archie Moore.
With that statistic in mind, it seems premature of the American to assume that he will be able to sit back on his achievements just one away from the magic 50, and the question of whether Floyd Mayweather can resist another fight in a couple of years.
For now, the world’s best is undoubtedly securing his legacy as one of the greatest fighters ever to lace up the gloves.
Speculation has already begun on who will be victim number 45 in September.
Calls for Saul Alvarez to be next are widespread amongst the fans. Most have already given up on Manny Pacquiao ever sharing a multi-million dollar purse with Mayweather anytime soon.
Beyond the ginger-haired Mexican, there isn’t too many that spring to mind.
IBF belt holder Devon Alexander is probably the leading US boxer. Mayweather initially announced his decision to participate in a unification before the WBC stepped in to stipulate mandatory Guerrero.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER LEGACY
Alexander must first come through Briton Lee Purdy next week in Atlantic City before his dream of facing Mayweather can have a chance of becoming a reality, but also has his mandatory in Kell Brook waiting in the wings.
Light-welterweight king Danny Garcia could come into the equation if he decides a move up to 147 is for him rather than facing the winner of Lucas Matthysse v Lamont Peterson.
Former opponent Amir Khan may also hope for the call.
Whoever gets the nod will ultimately be faced with the daunting task of trying to lay a finger on Floyd Mayweather, let alone defeat him.
Guerrero cut a frustrating figure all night as he went down on all three scorecards.
The Grand Rapids-born fighter’s legacy is already in the books, to some extent. This is due to his advancing years and his continued ability to dominant the younger contenders.
His next five fights are just serving to add more icing to the already fully decorated cake.
And who knows after Saturday night’s masterful twelve round boxing lesson if the best of the talented Floyd Mayweather is still yet to come.
Phil Jay is Editor of WBN. An Auxiliary member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay.
