What Could Have Been for Mayweather?

Boxing journalists have especially questioned Mayweather’s desire to fight quality opponents. While Mayweather has had an accomplished career there has been fights that could have pushed him to a pedestal of greatness in boxing. For such a talented boxer Mayweather seems to be in fear rather then being  feared. There are four fighters that come to my attention when I think of what could of been for the former pound for pound king .

Marco Antonio Barrera

In January 2001 Mayweather had beaten Diego Corrales at 130 pounds. A little over 2 months later Barrera beat Naseem Hamed at 126 pounds. Barrera was in his prime at the time. It would have been a test of Mayweather’s character, it could have been quite possible he would have lost. Barrera a textbook boxer had many assets he brought to the ring, he was a very well rounded fighter. Barrera could box,brawl and also counter-punch. It had the makings of a classic could Mayweather have withstood Barrera’s constant pressure?

Erik Morales

Morales would have proved a difficult opponent for Mayweather. A boxer that could push his opponents backward,  Morales would have made life uncomfortable in the ring for Mayweather. His height and reach the same as Mayweather giving no one an obvious physical advantage to either fighter. In 2000 Morales had already proved he could move up in weight when he knocked out Rodney Jones at 135 pounds and also beating Mike Juarez at 130 pounds.

Kostya Tszyu

A fight with Kostya Tszyu would have attracted quite an audience, Tszyu was in the pound for pound list before being beaten by Ricky Hatton. Kostya Tszyu had power behind his punches this would have been a threat to Mayweather. Zab Judah had been knocked out by Kostya Tszyu in a devastating fashion while Mayweather went 12 rounds just outboxing Judah. If Mayweather were to fight Tszyu, Mayweathers chin would have been tested If  Kostya Tszyu landed anything clean. This fight might not have been as dangerous for Mayweather as Morales or Barrera but it have been a more notable victory than many of Floyd’s title fights.

Shane Mosley

Shane Mosley has achieved to the point of greatness in boxing. A fighter who will be remembered as a fighter not just a title holder. Mosley has many attributes which make him a dangerous fighter, his speed and power are the obvious. This is a fight that had the makings of a classic, Mosley has proved his worth to fight an opponent like Mayweather. There are any possibilities to what could have been in a fight between Mayweather and Mosley. Even now with Mosley at aged 36,  Mayweather seems reluctant to take the fight. It is said by Mayweather that Mosley didn’t take the fight when he had the chance but the truth of what really took place will never be known.

Overall Mayweather has fought smart and has a talent that is second to none in the ring. But the boxing fans want to see him fight prime opposition in his weight class. Many have talked about a fight with Cotto, Pacquiao, and even Mosley who is still calling out Mayweather. Mayweather still has time left to answer his critics back to show us that he does not dodge fighters, weather he will are not we will have to wait and see.