Farhood: Mayweather Leaving Will Create a Large Hole

By Edward Chaykovsky

The countdown has begun for the final fight of Floyd Mayweather's career. On September 12th, Mayweather (48-0, 26KOs) will defend his WBA/WBC welterweight titles against Andre Berto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mayweather is claiming that he won't fight beyond the bout with Berto. He is the biggest and most well known fighter in the world, with nobody yet in position to take his star power throne. Manny Pacquiao is second biggest star in boxing and he's a few fights away from retirement as well.

Showtime analyst Steve Farhood says Mayweather's departure will leave a big hole in the sport.

"He’s been huge. I’ll say he and Pacquiao are huge. Klitschko was dominant but not accepted or beloved and wasn’t exposed to American fans the way he should. So you needed lighter weights. I’d say ever since Floyd beat Oscar De La Hoya, he’s carried the sport," Farhood told CBS Sports.

"It’s a large hole [with Mayweather leaving], it doesn’t help that Manny is winding down at the same time. But every time we’ve lost an icon, someone else picks up the spot. We had gloom and doom over Leonard or Tyson or Hagler or Hearns. Yet someone has always picked up the sport."

The most likely candidates to take over? Farhood points to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin, Keith Thurman and Deontay Wilder.

"If Canelo Alvarez beats Miguel Cotto, then that elevates him. Triple G is another. And maybe Deontay Wilder is better than all of us anticipated. Keith thurman is another," Farhood said.