Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s last fight against Miguel Cotto was a fantastic bout and Robert Guerrero's last fight against Andre Berto was a slugfest, but Mayweather vs. Guerrero isn't going to be worth the price of admission, unless you're content on simply watching Mayweather execute.
I hate to say it, because I'm as much of a boxing fan as the next guy, but Mayweather vs. Guerrero isn't going to stack up to either of the two fighters' last bouts. Simply put, Mayweather outclasses Guerrero.
Indeed, Mayweather is about the age where he should begin to slow down in the ring, and he's coming off a year-long layoff, but the doubts are greatly exaggerated in my mind.
Despite Guerrero's 31-1-1 career record, Mayweather is a technical master inside the ring, and Guerrero isn't. It's really that simple.
Case in point: Miguel Cotto was clearly Mayweather's greatest opponent in his illustrious career, but the Puerto Rican challenger still connected on only 21 percent of his punches last May. Mayweather also won handily on the scorecards despite all of the theatrics in that bout.
While Guerrero's victory over Berto was certainly worthy of praise, it also highlighted Berto's lack of defense...as well as Guerrero's.
The two boxers slugged it out in November. Guerrero connected on 35 percent of his punches, including 38 percent of power shots. Berto connected on 44 percent of his punches, including 50 percent of his power shots. By the end of the fight, both fighters had taken a noticeable beating.
So, looking at Mayweather's last fight and Guerrero's last fight, I not only expect Mayweather to win, I expect him to win in convincing fashion. If Mayweather was more of an aggressive fighter with questionable defense, I could see this being a fight. But Mayweather is exactly the opposite.
And don't expect Guerrero to force Mayweather into a more aggressive style, either. Cotto may have done that last May, but then again, Cotto was much more experienced than Guerrero, in terms of total career fights and the number of quality opponents.
The only way I could see Mayweather losing this bout—or even coming close—is if he walks into the ring ill-prepared and lethargic. But despite Mayweather's carefree attitude in front of the cameras, we all know that when he steps into the ring he's one of the most intelligent, tactical boxers of his generation.
As much as I would like the 30-year-old challenger to test Mayweather, I just don't see it happening.
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