When Floyd Mayweather, Jr. takes on Robert Guerrero on May 4, the match will serve as a reference point for the rest of his career.
Mayweather, Jr. hasn't fought since May 2012. He looked as vulnerable in that fight with Miguel Cotto as he ever has in his career.
After the fight, Mayweather had to serve a two-month prison term. He turned 36 in February, so every fight could be the night his age gets the best of him.
Many fighters are successful into their mid-30s. As a defensive genius, Mayweather could be one of those fighters.
How he handles the hard-charging style of Guerrero will tell us a lot. I expect Guerrero to put enormous pressure on Mayweather, much like he did against Andre Berto in his last fight.
Mayweather is no Berto, but pressure is still a good game plan against Money. He likes to operate in space, and if Guerrero can take that away it is to his advantage.
Mayweather agreed to a multi-fight deal with Showtime/CBS that could include as many as six fights.
If he doesn't beat Guerrero, however, the rest of the fights on that deal won't carry the same weight. Mayweather needs to show that he still stands head and shoulders above any 147-pound fighter in the world.
In his prime, Mayweather would run through Guerrero, but that is one of the major questions in this fight. Is Mayweather still in his prime? If not, how far removed is he from his best days?
If he has lost a step, does he have enough to turn back a hungry, young fighter like Guerrero?
So many questions are ahead. Barring a bizarre ending that is very possible in the sport of boxing, those questions will surely be answered in the ring.
As usual, Money will be must-see television. With so many elements about his future up in the air, he'll almost certainly give us something to talk about.
Follow me, because I love boxing and you do too.
Follow @BrianMazique
Read more Boxing news on BleacherReport.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment