There is no doubt that the two biggest stories in the
sport of Boxing in 2015 have revolved around Floyd Mayweather. The first story
of course centered around the anticipation of a fight that Boxing fans and
experts alike waited nearly six years to become a reality. Floyd Mayweather vs.
Manny Pacquiao.
After so much anticipation the Boxing world focused it’s
attention on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV on May 2nd for the battle that some
called “The Fight Of The Century.” The actual battle between the two future
Hall of Famer’s however, did not live up to the anticipation or the general
expectation of Boxing fans. It was in many ways a quintessential Floyd
Mayweather fight. Mayweather using his intelligence, using his superb defense,
and using an extremely accurate offense to score a lopsided twelve round
unanimous decision over Pacquiao.
Following the victory over Pacquiao the second biggest
story of the year began to take shape. Mayweather announcing his intention to
fight in September and also announcing that the fight, the last of a lucrative
six-fight deal with CBS/Showtime could be his last. Mayweather also announced
his intention to relinquish the world championships he holds in both the
Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight divisions.
After a fight that broke all existing cable/satellite
pay-per-view records, but a fight that also left a general dissatisfaction
among Boxing fans, the question became who would be Mayweather’s opponent for
what could be his final fight. Readers may remember during the course of the
past five months a regular topic of discussion here at The Boxing Truth ®
whenever fights have taken place in either the Welterweight or Jr. Middleweight
divisions has been whether the fighters competing whether they be top
contenders and/or former world champions would be able to garner interest for a
potential fight with Mayweather.
Mayweather would ultimately choose former two-time world
champion Andre Berto as his opponent. Although much of the discussion
surrounding this fight has centered around the decision to put the fight on
pay-per-view rather than on CBS or Showtime as was rumored for a period of time,
there has also been criticism toward Mayweather for choosing what some feel is
a fighter with only a puncher’s chance in Berto. There have been those both in
media and fans of the sport who have called this fight a mismatch and a few who
have simply referred to this bout as a “Victory Lap” for Mayweather in what
could be his final fight.
The source of the criticism regarding Berto as the
opponent stems in this observer’s view from the fact that Berto has gone 2-2 in
his last four fights including losses to former world champion and former
Mayweather opponent Robert Guerrero in November 2012 and a stoppage loss against
longtime contender Jesus Soto Karass in July 2013. Berto has however, won his
last two fights including a decision win over Steve Upshaw in September of last
year and stopping former world title challenger Josesito Lopez in six rounds in
his last fight in March of this year.
The victory over Lopez earned Berto interim/regular
champion status in the WBA’s Welterweight ratings, a distinction he shares with
undefeated Welterweight contender Keith Thurman. Although Thurman has been
designated as having interim/regular status in the WBA Welterweight ratings for
a longer period of time than has Berto, it will be Berto who will get the shot
against Mayweather.
It is also worth noting
that despite Mayweather’s announced intention to relinquish his world
championships in both the Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight divisions following
his fight with Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather’s unified WBC/WBA Welterweight world
championship will be on the line when he meets Berto on Saturday night at the
MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. Although some have been critical of Mayweather for
choosing Berto as his opponent, Berto is after all a former two-time world
champion, who has won thirty out of thirty-three professional fights, scoring
knockouts in twenty-three of those bouts. Berto also successfully defended the
WBC Welterweight world championship five times before losing his first world
title to Victor Ortiz in a fight that was voted Ring Magazine’s fight of the
year to 2011.
Berto is a fighter who is very compact with his offense
and has a good mix of hand speed and punching power. The question that this
observer has as this fight approaches is pretty much the same question that has
been asked of virtually every Floyd Mayweather opponent. Can Berto find a way
to solve what has proven to be a complicated puzzle and solve the fighting
style that is Floyd Mayweather?
There have been a select few throughout Mayweather’s
career who have been able to make their bouts with him competitive and even
have caused some debate as to whether or not they should have gotten the
victory over Mayweather. Jose Louis Castillo, who many feel, this observer
included deserved the decision against Mayweather in their first fight in April
2002. Oscar De La Hoya, who lost a razor thin split decision to Mayweather in
May 2007. Miguel Cotto, who lost to Mayweather in May 2012, but a fighter who
some feel gave Mayweather his toughest fight since his first encounter with
Castillo. Finally, Marcos Maidana, who also gave Mayweather a difficult fight
in their first encounter in May of last year.
Only Castillo and Maidana were able to get a second fight
against Mayweather. In both rematches however, Mayweather silenced any doubters
and defeated both former world champions by convincing twelve round unanimous
decisions. All four fighters were able to have success against Mayweather by
putting pressure on him and being able to sustain that pressure for a period of
time and win rounds on the official scorecards.
An argument can be made however, that all four fighters
relented from their strategies against Mayweather over the course of those
fights, which allowed Mayweather to be the adjustments necessary in order to
win those fights. The question remains as to whether or not an opponent will be
able to mount a consistent attack and pressure Mayweather for an entire twelve
round fight. This question will be asked of Andre Berto when he enters the ring
to do battle with Mayweather.
Although Mayweather’s Boxing style is one that may not
always be crowd pleasing, he is one of the most accurate offensive fighters in
the sport as he routinely lands more than half of his total punch output for an
entire fight. It will be up to Andre Berto to apply consistent pressure on
Mayweather and keep Mayweather on the defensive where he cannot consistently
return offense. It is a task that for forty-eight previous opponents that has
proven to be easier said than done.
In his fights against Victor Ortiz and Robert Guerrero an
argument can be made that although both fights are considered wars among both
fans and experts alike, both Ortiz and Guerrero were able to win those fights
based on their ability to outwork Andre Berto. In order for Berto to be
successful in this fight in the eyes of this observer he must find a way to
limit Mayweather’s offensive output. If Berto chooses to look to play the role
of counter puncher and not let his hands go consistently, it will play right
into Mayweather’s hands and Mayweather will likely be able to dictate how the
fight is fought. Berto must be consistent with his offense and needs to make
Mayweather uncomfortable. Simply put, Berto needs to make this a fight. Whether
or not Berto can do that remains to be seen.
As for Floyd Mayweather, his fight plan will likely
remain the same as it has for virtually every fight of his career thus far.
Mayweather will likely look to be a tactician, set traps for his opponent, and
execute his offense when opportunities arise. It is logical to assume that
Mayweather, who has not scored a knockout since his fight with Victor Ortiz in
September 2011 will look to do what he does best, box intelligently to a twelve
round decision win.
Although this is being billed as potentially Floyd
Mayweather’s final fight and an attempt by Mayweather to tie the mark set by
former Heavyweight world champion Rocky Marciano of 49-0, this observer is not
too sure as to whether this will be Mayweather’s swansong as a fighter. After
all, Mayweather makes millions of dollars each time he enters the ring and
there may be some who might say that as long as Mayweather can fight without
suffering the wear and tear that comes with a long career as a fighter, why not
continue?
If however, this will be the final time Mayweather enters
the ring it will be interesting to see if Boxing fans will pay the expense of
cable/satellite pay-per-view to the tune of $74.95 for the HD broadcast and $64.95
for the Standard Definition broadcast. If the rumored poor ticket sales for this
fight are any indication, it appears that as I speculated when this fight was
announced last month that Boxing fans may indeed reject what could be a moment
in Boxing history. Regardless of what one’s opinion of Floyd Mayweather might
be, as a fighter he is as good as they come and has no doubt had an illustrious
career.
Whether or not this will indeed be Mayweather’s last
fight remains to be seen. For a man however, who like him or not has earned his
status as a great fighter, if this fight will indeed be the end of the road for
Mayweather it will truly be a shame if that moment in Boxing history is rejected
by ticket buyers and by cable/satellite television subscribers. We will not get
the answer to that question on Saturday night when Mayweather and Berto do
battle, but rather in the days and perhaps weeks following the fight when live
gate and pay-per-view returns are calculated.
For a fight that has been widely criticized and dismissed
by some Mayweather-Berto does have some intrigue. Although some may consider
this fight to be a foregone conclusion, wouldn’t it be great if a fight that
has been subjected to much criticism and even outright dismissed by some turned
out to be a great fight? This observer sure hopes so.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
Mayweather vs. Berto takes place, Saturday September 12th
at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The fight will be available on
a cable/satellite pay-per-view basis in the United States and Canada for $74.95
HD/$64.95. Contact your local pay-per-view provider for ordering information.
The card will be available in the UK and Ireland on BoxNation. Check local
listings.
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau
Denison All Rights Reserved.
