By Frank Warren
Floyd Mayweather Jnr, already acknowledged as the finest prize fighter of his generation, now craves to be acknowledged as ‘TBE’; The Best Ever.
The 11 time world champion is fast closing in on Rocky Marciano’s hallowed 49-0 winning streak, a feat that would add real credence to his boasts.
Tomorrow night the ‘Money Man’ seeks to surpass Joe Calzaghe – Britain’s best ever – and move to 47-0 by taming Argentine bull Marcos Maidana when they rematch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
But it certainly won’t be plain sailing. The slugger from Buenos Aires showed utter contempt for Floyd’s formidable reputation when the pair met previously at the same venue last May.
Though Mayweather finally eloped with a majority 12 round decision, he was cut for the first time of his fighting career, and given his most torrid night inside a ring since he edged out Oscar Del La Hoya seven years ago.
Senor Maidana, a rough and hardy ex-street kid, has scant regard for the Marquis of Queensberry’s rules and, in their prior spat, seriously unsettled the pound-for-pounder leader with a cocktail of butts, elbows, forearms, rabbit punches, low blows, head locks and even an attempted knee! He has further ruffled Mayweather’s plume by declaring ‘I’m giving him the rematch. I won last time.’
Mayweather might have the best anticipation and defence in the sport but the Argentinean’s wild, unconventional slugs are harder to read than most. And while an expectant wife restricted Maidana to just five weeks preparation for their initial encounter, on this occasion he will profit from a full eight week camp overseen by ex world super feather champ Robert Garcia; one of the sport’s most revered rising trainers.
Having faded after a sprightly start in May, Maidana has since recruited the services of proven conditioning specialist Ruben Robles, in the hope of sustaining his vicious assaults for the full 36 minutes tomorrow evening.
So we can expect an even fitter, strong, more refined version of the man who, as a 14-1 outsider, caused Mayweather such trauma four months ago.
There is less certainty about whether we will witness an improved Mayweather. It’s conceivable that the Michigan man underestimated Maidana last time but he certainly appeared to have lost a step. And while he possesses the most analytical mind in the sport, it is carried by legs that are now well into their 38th year.
Floyd got himself into hot water with supportive comments to disgraced NFL wife beater Ray Rice – not wise given he himself served two months in prison in 2012 for domestic violence.
And to add to his woes in fight-week, his estranged business partner of eight years, Shantel Jackson, served him with a multi-million dollar law suit alleging imprisonment, battery and blackmail.
But Mayweather has a remarkable history for detaching himself from external turmoil and delivering within the ring. That Maidana is only the second foe to be granted a rematch – after Jose Luis Castillo 12 years ago – suggests that the ‘Pretty Boy’ feels he has a point to prove.
With rumours that his long overdue Fight of the Decade against Manny Pacquiao is closer to fruition than ever – read next May – expect boxing’s most complete craftsman to lay Maidana’s ghost to rest, probably on a rare late stoppage.
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Like everyone else I was massively impressed with Belfast’s Carl Frampton last weekend.
Despite the enormous cross-community pressure of making his world title debut at a pop-up 16,000 capacity arena in the iconic Titanic Quarter of his home city, the 27 year old ‘Jackal’ delivered a virtuoso display to annex the IBF super-bantam title from Spain’s Kiko Martinez, live on Box Nation.
Rightly feted as a brutal puncher, the terror from tiger Bay reminded us of his technical and tactical excellence to turn matador and outthink and outspeed the proud and stubborn champion from Alicante over 12 rounds, in a one-sided but imminently watchable affair.
It was an exceptionally composed and polished performance from a fighter engaging in just his 19th pro start, even more so given that Frampton fractured his lead left hand midway through.
Frampton not only delivered a fabulous performance in a wonderful fight but also provided one of the truly special nights in Ireland’s rich ring history. Humble yet charismatic, he has somehow managed to unite Belfast’s feuding communities in a manner not dissimilar to that of his mentor Barry McGuigan three decades previously.
McGuigan who has navigated Frampton’s rise in tandem with his trainer-son Shane McGuigan, graciously predicts ‘The Jackal’ will now become the greatest boxer in Irish history.
Frampton is now mandated to defend within 90 days against lightly regarded Chris Avalos, a 24 year old Californian who’s already faltered twice beneath world level. The Ulsterman’s damaged hand is likely to see that affair delayed until the New Year.
And anyway with the Martinez return broadcast to roughly 100 countries worldwide, and with rival champion of the quality of Guillermo Rigiondeax and Leo Santa Cruz - to mention domestic nemesis Scott Quigg - against whom he can pit his talent, Frampton could now evolve into a truly global star.
Quigg still has business to attend to before he can contemplate consideration for super fights.
Tomorrow evening the boy from Bury defends his diluted WBA tile for a fourth time at Manchester Arena against another puffed up bantamweight in Stephane Jamoye. Cuba’s brilliant Rigondeaux, a double Olympic champion, holds the bonafide WBA (Super) belt and, trust me, you’ll not hear Quigg calling his name!
The Belgian challenger, though only 24, has already lost five times and been stopped twice, all down in the 118 lb class which tells you all you need to know about the competitiveness of this match. Odds checkers enlist Quigg as 12-1 on to retain.
It’s a pity that the 25 year old Lancastrian persistently feasts on lighter and inferior opposition, as he is undoubtedly a quality fighter with a solid all round game. Less than 100,000 viewers watched his fight on Sky last time out.
Though Frampton has just one world title fight on his slate, compared to Quigg’s four, the Ulsterman has a far superior amateur pedigree and, despite 11 fewer paid gigs, has faced and flattened significantly better men.
Frampton also holds the more legitimate title which he obtained by toppling a champion of renown. He does far better business at the box office and, I sense, unification will only occur if Quigg is prepared to concede that and negotiate accordingly.
They can forget Old Trafford next Easter as Man U have back-to-back home games against Aston Villa and it will be “rocking” the next week - Man City are there!
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Ellesmere Port ace Paul Butler already holds the distinction as the Englishman to capture a legitimate world title in the fewest number of fights.
Last June, the brilliant little box-fighter lead Darlington strong boy Stuey Hall a merry dance to capture the IBF bantam strap at Newcastle’s Metro Arena in just his 16th pro gig.
And the 25 year old ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ gets a chance to smash several new records when he returns to his natural 115lb habitat to challenge IBF world champion Zolani Tete of South Africa at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on October 25th.
If triumphant, Paul will become the fastest Englishman ever to win two world titles and the first Brit to capture a global 115 lb title in the super-fly divisions 34 year history. He’ll also cement himself as the first Brit in 109 years to collect a second world title in a lighter category. In 1903, Cornish heavyweight ‘Ruby Bob’ Fitzsimmons dipped to light-heavy and relieved Ireland’s George Gardner of his world title with a 20 round points win in San Francisco.
Butler, whose perfect 16 fight slate is laced with eight stoppages, will be even more powerful at super-fly and is sure to be further galvanised by a huge home crowd. However, it’s certainly no formality.
Champion Tete is a 5ft 9in southpaw with sleeping pills in his fists. Sixteen of his nineteen victims have tumbled early and, in his two most recent gigs, the 26 year old from Eastern Cape has returned victorious from Mexico and Japan. He’s been stopped just once, in a world title fight whilst weight-weakened at flyweight and Butler will need to be at his absolute best if he’s to make history.
The undercard is stacked with quality fighters in competitive fights. Home hero Kevin Satchell gets a crack at the European flyweight title held by Belarus veteran Valery Yanchy while Jamaican dangerman Ovill ‘The Upsetter’ McKenzie defends his British and Commonwealth light heavy straps in a ‘pick ‘em’ pairing with Blackpool’s Matty Askin.
Local favourites Liam Smith and Derry Mathews look to scamper up the world ratings in meaningful Inter Continental fights and another of my Scousers, Olympic skipper Tom
Stalker, confronts fellow unbeaten light-welter Chris Jenkins of Swansea in a British eliminator.
Fast rising Brighton foghorn Chris Eubank Jnr and a host of quality young prospects complete the card. Box Nation televise live.
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The Boxing Board of Control stewards opted to dispense leniancy towards Tyson Fury at a disciplinary hearing in Cardiff on Wednesday.
The gypsy giant was fined £15,000 for a foul mouthed tirade at a July press conference to promote his aborted showdown with Dereck Chisora.
I’ll certainly caution that he minds his ‘P’s and Q’s’ at the press conference to confirm the re-scheduled showdown for November 29th at the ExCel Arena in London’s Docklands.
I always felt the capital was a better fit for this colossal WBO final eliminator. Chisora’s European belt plus the vacant British title are also up for grabs and the winner will be made mandatory challenger from the WBO title presently owned by Wladimir Klitschko. Box Nation televise live.