Return of Money Mayweather Gives No Guarantees

Two years ago this weekend, Floyd Mayweather Jr destroyed Juan Manuel Marquez over 12 rounds in Vegas as momentum for a mega showdown between the American Mayweather and Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao reached tipping point.

Since then, however, any such battle has appeared a million miles away as each party has made claim and counter claim en route to compiling a less than impressive run of replacement opponents. Mayweather has been far the less active of the two- a one sided meeting with ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley aside, Saturday’s clash with Victor Ortiz will be the brash American’s first fight since the Marquez annihilation.

Trying to read Mayweather’s mindset ahead of this fight is no easy task. Whereas you can look at Manny Pacquiao and suggest that the eight-weight world champion is happy with his lot, his great American rival has a major conflict on his hands.

After dispatching Ricky Hatton in December 2007, Mayweather’s stock could not have been any higher. Seeing no further credible opponent on the horizon and with his beloved perfect record still intact, the 1996 Olympic bronze medallist announced his retirement.

However, in his absence, Pacquiao has been clearing up the weight divisions and moving swiftly towards legendary status- his defeats of David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and the erstwhile Hatton left the former corn seller in direct path of Mayweather’s claims to pound-for-pound glory.

Many have argued that targeting a southpaw of Ortiz’s style points to a real intent from Mayweather to finally set aside his differences at the negotiation table with his rival and set a concrete date for a meeting within the next 18 months. Some, however, consider that both have too much to lose and with the American protagonist suffering severe legal difficulties outside of the ring- nothing can be taken for granted.

From a row over money and drug testing to a defamation lawsuit, the roadblocks to Mayweather-Pacquiao have been a long time in overcoming. Both men appear content to pulverise the same group of gunshot former champions whilst awaiting a move from the other. Pacquiao’s November showdown with Marquez will surely provide the end of the line for this phase in both men’s careers as a number of younger fighters begin to knock on the door of what has been an exclusive club for nearly ten years.

Cynics will argue that the match up with Ortiz is no more competitive than Pacquiao’s battle with Joshua Clottey last spring and that at this stage of his career, Mayweather is simply keen to expand his numbers. The Mayweather of 2007 dispatched two of his biggest rivals in the space of eight months in enjoying a split-decision over De La Hoya and stopping the industrious Hatton. The 2011 vintage, it seems, is not so forward.

Whilst no one is tipping Ortiz to strip Mayweather of his perfect record, after 16 months of ring inactivity, it is impossible to gauge the condition of man who showed early vulnerability in his last fight with Mosley before coming through in the middle and late rounds.

Television networks on both sides of the Atlantic have been keen to talk up the age difference between the two men as potential grounds for a major upset. However, so long as Mayweather has prepared meticulously- something he has always done well in the past, the chances of Ortiz negotiating one of the tightest defences in world boxing are virtually nil.

Despite his antics receiving very negative press in the States, Mayweather’s profile in the UK remains a positive one. Despite being a hate figure in the run up to the 2007 clash with national treasure Ricky Hatton, Mayweather’s cocksure attitude has won him a grudging respect over here and there will be several thousand fans keen to see their Marmite fighter return in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Once again it is difficult to look past a wide points decision for Mayweather, however, not for the first time, the focus on Saturday night is likely to surround the events at ringside rather than those between the ropes.

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