By Rick Reeno

Carlos Baldomir (43-9-6, 13 KOs), the pauper turned prince, is coming to the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada on a mission. The Argentinean fighter is recognized as the “true” welterweight champion due to his unanimous decision win over unified champion Zab Judah in January. The upset decision over Judah was followed up by a another upset in the Summer, a nine-round knockout win over Arturo Gatti.

A person has to respect Baldomir, a 16-year pro who is closing out the final chapter of his career like a warrior. I can’t recall the last time an active (or inactive) fighter took on three opponents on the level of Judah, Gatti and Mayweather in a single year. If Baldomir’s 16-year record appeared mediocre to most boxing fans, it will certainly look a lot more impressive due to his three opponents in 2006.

During most of his career, he was not even making enough money to survive on a daily basis. Baldomir had to work various jobs for lousy pay in order to feed his family. A $1.6 million dollar paycheck for facing Mayweather is quite a reward for 16-years of hard work and determination.

Baldomir has been able to stay undefeated for almost 8-years, an impressive run that most experts predict will come to an end when he steps in the ring with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (43-9-6, 13KOs).

Mayweather, the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, is also on a mission. He is not satisfied with beating Baldomir by decision. He is mentally set on knocking Baldomir out. The pay-per-view may live up to the “Pretty Risky” name if Mayweather actually stands toe-to-toe with Baldomir as promised.

We all know Floyd is faster and his ring skills far exceed any of Baldomir’s physical gifts, but could he be falling into the same trap as Judah and Gatti. On paper, Baldomir should have lost to both Gatti and Judah. On paper, Gatti and Judah were the more talented fighters. Baldmoir had one clear advantage over both of them - his physical size. The one advantage he held over Gatti and Judah is the same advantage he holds over Mayweather.

One can say that Baldomir also had a better chin than Gatti or Judah, but it was his overall size that played a major role. Because he walks around at 180-pounds between fights, and rehydrates well after making the 147-pound weight limit, the punches of Judah and Gatti were not significant enough to hurt him, or get his respect. Personally, I don’t view Mayweather as a much harder puncher than Judah or Gatti, and many others feel that Mayweather has the least amount of pop between the three.

Baldomir is so confident that he can knock Mayweather out, he bet $25,000 on himself. A lot of late money has been coming in for Baldomir. The odds have reportedly dropped from 8-1, to 4-1.  Mayweather is still the clear favorite to easily win.

Can lighting strike three times? Will Mayweather actually stand and trade with the much larger Baldomir?

A year ago this fight would have been viewed as huge mismatch. What a difference a year makes.

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