Tweet
Mayweather gives way to Cotto without losing a match
Submitted by SHNS on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 14:41.
* boxing
* By JOHN WOLFSHOHL, Scripps Howard News Service
Some time over the past few weeks, the most exciting weight class in boxing experienced a major shakeup, and it seems to have made little more than a ripple in the pugilistic world.
Maybe that's because the event in question wasn't the result of a knockout-inducing left hook to the jaw or a liver-quivering body shot. It's attrition that caused this upheaval, but the result is the same: Miguel Cotto is now the top dog in a talent-packed welterweight division.
Cotto has yet to be officially crowned king of 147-pounders, but thanks to Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s recent actions and inaction, Cotto has taken over the top spot.
Previous welterweight boss Mayweather has all but abdicated his throne because of his determination to chase the biggest paydays rather than the most important fights in the weight class he briefly ruled.
Mayweather, who seized his welterweight titles with wins over the mercurial Zab Judah and talent-challenged but rugged Carlos Baldomir in 2006, has not faced a legitimate welterweight in nearly a year and a half, and evidently has no plans to do so anytime soon.
Since dismantling Baldomir in November 2006, "Pretty Boy" has fought and won twice -- once against Oscar De la Hoya well above the welterweight limit last May, and most recently his flashy 10th-round TKO of English junior welterweight superstar Ricky Hatton in December.
So, in roughly 15 months as welterweight champion, Mayweather has fought one guy who hasn't fought at 147-pounds in years (De La Hoya) and another who never should have fought at welterweight in the first place (Hatton).
Right now the only boxing match being seriously discussed for Mayweather is a rematch with De La Hoya in the fall. If that fight occurs, that'll make it almost two years since "Pretty Boy" has climbed through the ropes to face a legitimate welterweight contender.
And, in a somewhat surprising twist, the next time Mayweather steps into a ring for money it won't be to demonstrate his abundant boxing skills, but to take part in the biggest event of the wrestling year when he faces Paul "Big Show" Wright at Wrestlemania on March 30.
It's hard to begrudge someone trying to make the most money they can -- especially in pro sports, where an athlete's peak earning years are relatively few. If Mayweather wants travel up and down the boxing weight classes to chase the biggest paydays rather than creating a lasting legacy in a weight class deep with tough fighters, wonderful.
But he has no right to call himself the champion of boxing's most talented division, the welterweights.
Sure, Mayweather may continue to hold an alphabet title and the more-prestigious Ring Magazine title, but unbiased fans know the truth: Mayweather may be the best boxer on the planet, but he's nowhere near the most accomplished welterweight in the fight game. That honor belongs to Cotto, who currently holds wins over three of The Ring's Top 6 welters. Mayweather holds a win over one of the Top 6 (Judah) and isn't likely to face another anytime this year.
In theory, titles both honorary and tangible should be won and lost in the ring. But in reality, if you don't get into the ring to defend those titles against top competition, you should lose them. To be the welterweight champ, you should fight the best welterweights out there. Heck, just fight any real welterweights. Mayweather isn't doing that.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. can call himself the greatest fighter ever, even if many don't believe it. He can call himself the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world today -- and he's probably right. But, what he can't do is call himself the best welterweight out there, because he hasn't earned it in the ring. Miguel Cotto has.
(Contact John Wolfshohl at wolfshohlj(at)caller.com)
Submitted by SHNS on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 14:41.
* boxing
* By JOHN WOLFSHOHL, Scripps Howard News Service
Some time over the past few weeks, the most exciting weight class in boxing experienced a major shakeup, and it seems to have made little more than a ripple in the pugilistic world.
Maybe that's because the event in question wasn't the result of a knockout-inducing left hook to the jaw or a liver-quivering body shot. It's attrition that caused this upheaval, but the result is the same: Miguel Cotto is now the top dog in a talent-packed welterweight division.
Cotto has yet to be officially crowned king of 147-pounders, but thanks to Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s recent actions and inaction, Cotto has taken over the top spot.
Previous welterweight boss Mayweather has all but abdicated his throne because of his determination to chase the biggest paydays rather than the most important fights in the weight class he briefly ruled.
Mayweather, who seized his welterweight titles with wins over the mercurial Zab Judah and talent-challenged but rugged Carlos Baldomir in 2006, has not faced a legitimate welterweight in nearly a year and a half, and evidently has no plans to do so anytime soon.
Since dismantling Baldomir in November 2006, "Pretty Boy" has fought and won twice -- once against Oscar De la Hoya well above the welterweight limit last May, and most recently his flashy 10th-round TKO of English junior welterweight superstar Ricky Hatton in December.
So, in roughly 15 months as welterweight champion, Mayweather has fought one guy who hasn't fought at 147-pounds in years (De La Hoya) and another who never should have fought at welterweight in the first place (Hatton).
Right now the only boxing match being seriously discussed for Mayweather is a rematch with De La Hoya in the fall. If that fight occurs, that'll make it almost two years since "Pretty Boy" has climbed through the ropes to face a legitimate welterweight contender.
And, in a somewhat surprising twist, the next time Mayweather steps into a ring for money it won't be to demonstrate his abundant boxing skills, but to take part in the biggest event of the wrestling year when he faces Paul "Big Show" Wright at Wrestlemania on March 30.
It's hard to begrudge someone trying to make the most money they can -- especially in pro sports, where an athlete's peak earning years are relatively few. If Mayweather wants travel up and down the boxing weight classes to chase the biggest paydays rather than creating a lasting legacy in a weight class deep with tough fighters, wonderful.
But he has no right to call himself the champion of boxing's most talented division, the welterweights.
Sure, Mayweather may continue to hold an alphabet title and the more-prestigious Ring Magazine title, but unbiased fans know the truth: Mayweather may be the best boxer on the planet, but he's nowhere near the most accomplished welterweight in the fight game. That honor belongs to Cotto, who currently holds wins over three of The Ring's Top 6 welters. Mayweather holds a win over one of the Top 6 (Judah) and isn't likely to face another anytime this year.
In theory, titles both honorary and tangible should be won and lost in the ring. But in reality, if you don't get into the ring to defend those titles against top competition, you should lose them. To be the welterweight champ, you should fight the best welterweights out there. Heck, just fight any real welterweights. Mayweather isn't doing that.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. can call himself the greatest fighter ever, even if many don't believe it. He can call himself the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world today -- and he's probably right. But, what he can't do is call himself the best welterweight out there, because he hasn't earned it in the ring. Miguel Cotto has.
(Contact John Wolfshohl at wolfshohlj(at)caller.com)
Comment