Floyd Mayweather Jr. - His Return Is Not Without Criticism

Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. is set to come out of retirement and return to the ring when he squares off against Juan Manuel Marquez at 144 lbs. July 18, 2009. Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been absent from the boxing world since December 2007, when he beat tough challenger, Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton at welterweight. Mayweather knocked Hatton out in the 10th round with a check hook and announced his retirement shortly after the fight. With an irresistible itch for notoriety and cash, Mayweather's self professed retirement plan was short lived.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was - and still is - boxing's pound for pound superstars. He possesses tremendous gifts (besides his mouth) inside the ring, and has an ego the size of Texas; so it's no surprise he wants to come back and mix it up with some of boxing's best. Boxing's best small men that is.

Floyd's opponent for his comeback will be Juan Manuel Marquez, a strong counter-punching boxer who
comes to fight and leaves his best in the ring every time he steps in it. There is some criticism along with the excitement though:

Marquez is coming up from lightweight to face the naturally bigger Mayweather. Ricky Hatton also had to make a jump in weight, from jr. welterweight to welterweight - and if Mayweather is successful in defeating Marquez, his next opponent (possibly), Manny Pacquiao will also most likely have to make a jump in weight to face the naturally bigger Mayweather. Cherry picking opponents has been an allegation Floyd naysayers often accuse him of.

Money Mayweather hasn't been in the ring for almost two years, so it is hard to make a prediction. Anything can happen in boxing, but I seriously doubt Floyd Mayweather Jr. would risk his perfect record if he didn't think he could win.

Floyd Mayweather's return is great for the sport of boxing, but as per usual, like the rest of his career, he will play it safe, fighting the good small men instead of the good big men already prowling in his division.

Joe Calzaghe: A Look Back On His Boxing Career

Former undefeated boxing champion Joe Calzaghe - now 37 years of age - had an amazing professional boxing career. Filled with highs and lows, it is the opinion of this writer that the highs of his career blot out the lows:

Joe Calzaghe started boxing at the age of nine. This Welshman won a total of four ABA titles (British Championships) with having more than one hundred and twenty amateur fights before turning pro. His most notable amateur win was beating former heavyweight champion, Chris Byrd. Joe was highly-touted from the very beginning.

Calzaghe turned pro in 1993, fighting opponents well below his skill level, until facing off against British legend and ex champion, Chris Eubank. Calzaghe, up to this point was untested as a boxer, with no equal to test his in-ring ability. That would all change in October 1997. The two super middleweights fought a high paced twelve round bout. The Welshman knocked Chris Eubank down in the first round with a powerful straight left hand. Eubank recovered, got up, and as Calzaghe now recalls, "he smilled at me, and gave me the toughest fight of my career." Before facing Chris Eubank, Calzaghe had never went the full twelve rounds. He was forced to fight the whole match this time, because Eubank had a great chin, and was tough as nails. After beating the veteran, there was no denying Calzaghe's skill, or his desire to win. "The Pride Of Wales" was a force to be reckoned with.

Joe Calzaghe might have proven he was a legitimate force inside the ring, but that didn't mean his promoter at the time (Frank Warren) was going to give Calzaghe the big fights he wanted. No, instead Frank Warren was going to use the Welshman as a cash cow. Rather than living up to his potential, Calzaghe was forced to defend his new WBO belt against the likes of David Starie, Omar Sheika and Tocker Pudwill. If there was a low point in Calzaghe's career, besides his all too often injured left hand, this was it. Joe Calzaghe, in the prime of his career was forced to neglect his natural athletic ability for his promoter's greed. Stardom had not yet arrived, but it would.

Joe Calzaghe's spot in the limelight came in March 2006, when Jeff Lacy, at the time labeled "The next Mike Tyson" traveled to Wales by way of America to challenge Joe Calzaghe for his WBO belt. "The Pride Of Wales" showed why he was the pride of Wales. He systematically battered the young Jeff Lacy over the course of twelve rounds to win by unanimous decision on all three judges score cards. Joe Calzaghe was now undoubtedly the best super middleweight in the world, and he had Jeff Lacy's IBF belt to go along with the respect he had craved for so long.

Joe Calzaghe went on to unify the super middleweight division before moving up in weight to fight Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. to end his Cinderella-like career. He finished with a perfect 46-0 record. Not since the late Rocky Marciano has a high-profile boxing champion retire undefeated. Calzaghe announced he was done with boxing in February 2009.

While Calzaghe did not benefit fully from his ability and got off to a slow start after beating Chris Eubank, he made up for his promoter's greed at the tail end of his career. He did not fight the biggest names in their prime, but he beat everyone put in front of him. Blessed with speed, superb movement and an innate desire to win, Joe Calzaghe "The Pride Of Wales" was truly great.

This writer feels that Joe Calzaghe will go down in history as one of the best to ever to lace them up from the British Isles. Even after his retirement, Joe Calzaghe continues to be underrated by boxing fans.

Manny Pacquiao's Greatest Hits

What Is Next For Manny Pacquiao?

Pacquiao, now 30 years of age, successfully dispatched yet another foe in Ricky Hatton, May 2nd, knocking him out in the second round of a scheduled 12-round bout. Going into the fight Pacquiao was the betting favorite, but the majority of boxing fans thought of the fight as 50/50; it was anyone's fight. Or so it was thought.

The Pacman got off to a blistering start, hitting Ricky Hatton at will. The right hook seemed to hit its mark every time. Manny's speed was too much for the slower Hatton, who for the life of him, couldn't escape the wrath of Manny's punches. While the right hook found

its mark often, the left hand is what put Hatton out of his misery, with the ref calling a halt to the bout in the 2nd round. Going into the fight many boxing pundits thought Ricky Hatton's advantage, if he had one, would be his strength. Not only was Manny faster than Ricky, he was stronger too.

Manny Pacquiao has been on a tear-up these last few years, jumping up and around the weight divisions successfully defeating every prime fighter put in front of him. Some of the men he has beat include the following: Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, and Ricky Hatton. Impressive resume to say the least.

The pride of the Philippines isn't done yet. At only 30 years of age, he's in the prime of his boxing career and currently the greatest fighter pound for pound on the planet. The two most obvious options for Manny and the opponents most boxing fans are calling for are, Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

According to boxingscene.com and other on-line boxing sources, Filipino sensation and current pound for pound number one fighter in the world, Manny Pacquiao will most likely face Puerto Rican superstar, Miguel Angel Cotto should Cotto beat his next opponent, Joshua Clottey. While Miguel Cotto gets ready for his next fight, Manny Pacquiao weighs his options - and he has a lot of options. Manny can also wait around until after July 18 to face the winner of the Mayweather-Marquez bout. The ball is in his court. Who knows - Pacman may jump up in weight to fight King Kong.

Should Ricky Hatton Hang Up His Gloves?

Quite a bit of speculation has surrounded "The Hitman" lately on whether he should retire or not. Ricky Hatton was blown out of the water earlier this month by Manny Pacquiao via 2nd round KO.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., the only other man to best Hatton in the ring recently said, "Ricky's career was over in 2007 when he met me.

"He was a gutsy, tough champ but there's a time in every boxer's career when they must hang it up.

"He was knocked out bad twice - by me and Pacquiao. They were two devastating defeats. He's been in a lot of tough fights and taken some big shots.

"I don't think Ricky should fight again. I wouldn't fight him again, even at Wembley."

So there you have it. Floyd Mayweather Jr., one of the sport's best and biggest draws said he would not fight Hatton again, even at Wembley stadium - and I agree with Floyd. Hatton now has two losses on his resume, and you could argue that Hatton is damaged goods. Floyd Mayweather Jr. would stand to gain nothing in a rematch with Ricky Hatton.

Floyd Mayweather Sr., Ricky's trainer the last two times out, has also called on Hatton to pack it in.

So, is Ricky Hatton 'damaged goods,' maybe past his prime? Or is it simply a case of going up against a human wrecking ball named, Manny Pacquiao? It is too early to tell.

What Ricky Hatton needs to do, is go for a long vacation and answer all these questions himself. It has long been his dream to become the number one pound for pound fighter in the world. That reality is now washed away.

In my opinion, Hatton needs a new trainer; one more fight for his loyal fans at home, then call it a career.

Roy Jones Jr. To Face Jeff Lacy In August

Jeff Lacy signed a contract to fight Roy Jones Jr. at light heavyweight. The two fighters are scheduled to face each other August 22 at the New Orleans Arena in a 12-round bout.

This fight will be met with some skepticism from boxing fans, considering both boxers have seen better days. Regardless, this is an interesting match-up, and should be a good fight. Both fighters have a lot to prove. Jeff Lacy would like to make his way to the top of the sport and regain some of the aura Joe Calzaghe beat out of him. Roy Jones Jr. would like to make his way back to the top, where he stood for so many years.

Even as Jones approaches 41 years of age, he will still have a significant speed advantage over the usually lumbering Lacy. Jeff Lacy has a puncher's chance, and that's about it. Never say never when it comes to the sport of boxing, as anything can happen; Jones has the edge in just about every conceivable category, minus chin and power. Jones should out speed and box Lacy's head off in the center of the ring. Jeff Lacy's only chance for victory is to get Jones to the ropes, unload punches in bunches and hope to land something with enough power to knock him out. I don't foresee this happening. Roy will probably win by a wide UD.

If he is successful in thwarting Jeff Lacy's plans come August 22, what's next for Roy Jones Jr? Will he use his victory to get another shot at the best in the light heavyweight division? We will soon find out.

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Joe Calzaghe Highlights

Floyd Mayweather Jr. On SportsCenter

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was recently on SportsCenter to discuss his upcoming match against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather, like always, was himself - arrogant, brash and beaming with confidence. Floyd is never at a loss for words, especially when it comes to protecting his economic worth with the boxing public.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. got into a spirited back-and-forth argument with the SportsCenter anchorman. The anchorman rightfully points out that Mayweather took himself out of the equation when he retired from boxing a little over a year and a half ago, and because he did, Manny Pacquiao is the now recognized #1 pound for pound fighter on the planet.

Mayweather at one point told the anchorman that Manny Pacquiao needs him, more than he needs Pacquiao. I would disagree with Floyd's assessment: Mayweather needs to realize that Manny Pacquiao is coming off a spectacular victory in which he disposed of his last opponent, Ricky Hatton in two rounds, whereas it took Mayweather ten rounds (fighting at a higher weight) to get rid of the same foe. Manny Pacquiao beating Ricky Hatton in two rounds at jr. welterweight, is much more impressive than Floyd Mayweather Jr. beating Ricky Hatton in ten rounds, at welterweight.

Whatever the case, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are on an inevitable collision course - depending on Mayweather first beating Juan Manuel Marquez in July. Should "Money Mayweather" succeed in his next fight, he will most likely face Manny Pacquio. The hype has already begun - and most boxing fans would pay to see this fight.

Old School Boxing Photos

Boxing Knockouts

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Is Set To Return July 18!

Floyd Mayweather's retirement didn't last long. The pound for pound boxing great is set to return July 18, when he squares off against current #2 pound for pound fighter in the world, Juan Manuel Marquez. The 12-round match will take place at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been out of boxing and "retired" for a little over a year and a half. Shortly after he defeated Ricky Hatton via 10th round TKO, Mayweather announced his retirement from the sport of boxing. Many people in the boxing world speculated that Floyd Mayweather's leave of absense would not last long. They were right.

Juan Manuel Marquez will be coming up in weight to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. The naturally bigger Mayweather is favored by many boxing fans to win, and rightfully so - but by no means should Marquez be a push-over; he's a gifted, tough fighter, with a great chin, commendable determination and an effective counter puncher.

It will be interesting to see how Juan Manuel Marquez deals with the jump in weight. On the other hand, Mayweather's inactivity may turn out to be the deciding factor in this bout. While Floyd Mayweather Jr. is superman, he's still human - and he's facing a gutty Mexican who will undoubtably come to fight.

Whatever the outcome, the sport of boxing is looking up. Stay tuned!