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.