Mayweather, at 38, wanting to face 42-year-old and long-retired De La Hoya on pay-per-view, says a lot. Without the injured Manny Pacquiao, the American’s plan to bow out of boxing with mega-money events has now fallen apart.
In agreeing on the deal with Pacquiao, it can now be assumed that Mayweather was hoping for at least a rematch to see out his Showtime contract.
Still, the Filipino’s initial performance and subsequent surgery have left Mayweather in the lurch.
So where does ‘Money’ go now?
Keith Thurman, Kell Brook, or Amir Khan – who knows?
The 49th fight of Mayweather’s career certainly won’t generate anywhere near the revenue his May 2 bonanza with the ‘Pacman’ did.
You could argue that Khan is the more well-known of the three names. He has the better C.V on paper. But Thurman is a world champion at 147.
Alternatively, Brook has the only title left that Mayweather needs to complete a full set at his ideal weight.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER vs. GGG
Obviously, as I have stated before, I’d like to see Floyd face Gennady Golovkin at 154 if the Kazakh can get down to the limit safely.
Even a return with Miguel Cotto if the Puerto Rican puts his negotiated contest with Canelo Alvarez on hold.
As Cotto v Alvarez looks set to go through as planned, Golovkin is the obvious choice. HBO would probably want to avoid dealing with another co-promotion alongside Showtime so soon after the Pacquiao event, though, but could well make their move when Mayweather’s deal runs out.
Would Erislandy Lara have a chance or, dare say it, Adrien Broner using the teacher versus student angle? – It’s highly doubtful at this point due to the bond they share.
Mayweather is evidently struggling to fill the void left by his generational rival Pacquiao, even after all the negative May 2 fallout from their first contest.
Who’d have thought Floyd Mayweather would have needed Manny so badly just a few weeks ago?
Phil Jay is the Editor of WBN. An Auxiliary member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay.
