What next for Mayweather?

By Adam Canavan @Adam_Canavan

Right now Floyd Mayweather Jr. is in the hotbed of boxing talent in the 140-154lb weight range. So, after a dominant display against welterweight contender Robert 'The Ghost' Guerrero (117-111 on all three of the Judge's scorecards), the world is well and truly his oyster.

So who who will Boxing's P4P king face next? Well firstly there are a few that can be ruled out straight away: Sergio Martinez is not a option after the injuries he sustained after a tough fight with British Middleweight Martin Murray will keep him out of the ring for the rest of the year, Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez will be fighting each other in the same month as Mayweather's next fight, possibly even the same day, and Manny Pacquiao is otherwise occupied with Brandon Rios in November, which means the biggest possible fight of this generation, once again, can not and will not happen. But now lets look at the possible opponents for Floyd.

Devon Alexander Vs Lee Purdy - Post-Fight Report

Pricey Boxing

Lee Purdy Vs Devon Alexander - Fight Preview

By James McKnight @JamesMcKnight83

Can Purdy overpower Alexander 'The Great'?

On May 18, at the Boardwalk hall arena in Atlantic city, New Jersey, USA, Colchester's Lee 'Lights Out' Purdy faces the biggest challenge of his professional career. He has to try and dethrone Devon Alexander 'The Great' in order to claim the IBF welterweight title. 

Purdy (20-3-1, 13 KO's), stepped in at late notice to take this fight. His stablemate Kell Brook unfortunately injured his foot in training and was forced to pull out (the third time that Brook-Alexander had been called off).

This is the first time that Purdy will fight outside of the U.K. He travels to America to challenge Alexander for the IBF welterweight title and he faces a tough examination. He has never fought an opponent as skilful and talented as Alexander - who has also more experience on the World stage than Purdy's previous foes. Purdy has shone in domestic level bouts, but he has also lost three times to opponents who Alexander would dispose of with without much fuss. 

Floyd Mayweather Vs The Rest Of The World

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97. 

So it has been announced: Floyd 'Money' Mayweather will take on Robert 'The Ghost' Guerrero on May 4th! Here is how I think Floyd's fight with Guerrero and four other potential future match-ups could pan out. Enjoy!

Floyd Mayweather Vs Robert Guerrero - Welterweight

Guerrero and Mayweather stare deep into each other's eyes as the referee gives his final instructions in the center of the ring at the MGM Grand. Mayweather, for the first time in his career, seems to have had his feathers ruffled by his quiet but extremely confident opponent. The 35-year old is used to having the fans in the crowd be mostly supportive of his opponent, but he has never experienced anything like this before. Guerrero fans have come in the masses to support their fighter, who is finally getting the opportunity he has been asking for, for so long.

What could be the real dawning of the 140lb division?

By Jack Sumner @ Jack_Sumner_

http://southpawjacks.wordpress.com/

A couple of years ago, many boxing fans and analysts were proclaiming the light welterweight division as the best in the sport. The quartet of Amir Khan, Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander and Marcos Maidana headed the pack at 140lbs with mouth-watering unification bouts on offer and the possibility of thrilling match ups between any of the protagonists. However, not everything is always as it seems. 

Khan and Maidana did thrill in their December 2010 clash that scooped fight of the year honours and after surviving a late onslaught, Khan emerged victorious to set up a clash with the winner of Bradley-Alexander a month later. The fight between the unbeaten young Americans was billed as the ‘Perfect Match Up’ with some comparing the magnitude of the event to Hagler-Hearns, but it was an anticlimax and ultimately an ugly spectacle, with Bradley winning via tenth-round technical decision after Alexander claimed lack of vision following a clash of heads. 

Bradley remained undefeated however and on course for a huge summer date with Khan to unify WBO, WBC and WBA titles. But as often is the case in this sport, the fight didn’t materialise. Bradley was stripped of his WBC strap for refusing to fight Khan and eventually moved up to welterweight to defeat Manny Pacquiao, a result that remarkably halted progress in his career due to its controversial and widely contested scoring. Khan meanwhile would go on to lose back-to-back fights against Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia, whilst Alexander and Maidana would eventually have an uninspiring clash at welterweight over ten rounds.

The hype at that time failed to deliver. Early in 2013, the buzz around the light welterweight division has now returned.

Alexander eyes Mayweather after Bailey...

25-year old welterweight Devon Alexander (23-1, 13KO's) faces one of his toughest challenges to date when he takes on Randall Bailey (43-7, 37 KO's) on September 8th, but the up and coming American believes this fight will only lead to bigger things. The main man in his sights is the pound-for-pound king Floud Mayweather.

"I think that the winner of this fight will be in a good position to fight Mayweather. You never know what is going to happen but yes I think the winner will be in a very good position," Alexander told BoxingScene.com.

The former unified light-welterweight champion is also looking forward to fighting in Las Vegas for the first time in his career. The fight was originally set to take place in St. Louis until Bailey complained about the fight being in Alexander's hometown. It was then set for Memphis but then once again relocated, this time to the Sin City.

"I'm excited to fight in Vegas. I think every fighter dreams of fighting in Las Vegas. To me Las Vegas is the fight capital of the world."

Bailey continues with trash talk...

Bailey with his IBF title.

Now that the location has been sorted for their fight on September 8th, Randall Bailey has just one thing in his mind... Beating Devon Alexander.

The fight has been confirmed for well over a month but it took a very long time to find a venue for the fight. But finally, it has been announced that Las Vegas will be the location for the fight.

During the build-up to the fight there has been a huge amount of trash-talk between the two-men. There's been rows on Twitter, bad-mouthing in interviews and neither man has held back with what they're saying. With fight night fast approaching, Bailey has continued with this trend. 

"Devon Alexander is definitely going to get his ass whooped," said Bailey during an interview on ATV Radio. "They're talking all that sh*t. I don't know if they magic. They gonna have to know magic if they want to find a way to beat me." 

The 37-year old is usually pretty reserved when it comes to talking about his opponents, but this time something has changed. He has cussed Alexander on numerous occasions and doesn't look like he will stop into they're actually in the ring. Maybe he feels that it will help promote the fight or maybe just give him an advantage over his opponent. However, he claims that he is tired of talking and just wants to fight now. 

"Trust me, I got tired arguing with him online," Bailey claimed. They just talking, they don't mean half the shit they say. I'm really looking forward to f*cking him up." 

Alexander hasn't replied to these comments yet, but don't be surprised if he comes back with something smart soon.

De La Hoya discusses Bradley's future...

WBO champ Timothy 'Dessert Storm' Bradley.

Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya realises that WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley has what it takes to become a very big star of the future, and the 39-year old has revealed that there are a lot of potential opponents for him in the Golden Boy stable.

Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La  Hoya.

There's a lot of great fighters in the welterweight division and there's no doubt that 'Dessert Storm' will want to fight every single one of them. De La Hoya has a chequered past with Bradley's promoter Bob Arum but he hopes that this won't affect the chances of any big fights happening.

"There's a lot of options out there, a lot of great fights," said De La Hoya. "The only thing Bob Arum and Top Rank has to do is pick up the phone and call... We have all the fighters, we have all the opponents, we have all the big fights that people want to see. Pick up the phone. I'm sure Bradley wants to fight all of them."

The fighters that De La Hoya is talking about, are the likes of Amir Khan, Paulie Malignaggi and Devon Alexander. Seeing Bradley in the ring with any one of these would be a very interesting match-up for the fans and the fighters.

The 28-year old could continue to fight Top Rank promoted fighters but he would run out of options pretty fast. The only other big name welterweights in Bob Arum's stable are Manny Pacquiao, who Bradley has already fought and beat in a very controversial fight, and Juan Manuel Marquez who his almost reaching 40 and will likely not have many big fights left in him..

Bailey Vs Alexander set for September 8th!

Randall Bailey with his IBF title.

On September 8th, newly crowned IBF welterweight champ Randall Bailey will make the first defence of his title against American star Devon Alexander. The fight is not yet 100% confirmed but it is almost definite to happen.

Devon Alexander.

Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer gave his thoughts on the fight: "We have agreed on the terms and it's going to be a terrific fight... You always have a good fight when it involves Randall Bailey. He's one veteran you can't turn your back on, and it's a great opportunity for Devon."

In my opinion, this is a very, very good fight between a man who is moving towards the end of his career and wants to give it all he's got before it's over (Bailey) and a man who is on his way up and wants to prove that he can make it all the way to the top.

However, there is a potentially very big problem. The fight goes directly head-to-head with a much bigger fight between Andre Ward and Chad Dawson. This is a bit of a surprise as there were available dates very close to the date that was chosen. I can't think of any reason why they would chose September 8th, other than that Golden Boy may believe that the Ward-Dawson fight will somehow help to promote the Bailey-Dawson fight even though they are in different channels.

The venue or location has not been set for this fight yet. The most likely place that has been talked about at the moment is St. Louis. This would make the most sense as Alexander is a big attraction there so the ticket sales would receive a huge boost if it did take place there.

It's very hard to predict a clear winner in this fight. Alexander is obviously has the more superior boxing skills  but with Bailey you always have that danger of a one-punch knock out. All you have to do is look at his last performance against Mike Jones on June 9th. Bailey was well behind on points when he pulled off a fantastic knock out victory in the 11th round.

I am really looking forward to this fight. I just hope that it isn't shown at exactly the same time as the fight between Dawson and Ward.

Maidana calls out Saul Alvarez!

Maidana after his victory over Victor Ortiz.

Now that Victor Ortiz has suffered an upset loss to Josesito Lopez, Saul Alvarez needs yet another opponent for September 15th, and Argentinian former world champ Marcos Maidana is more than willing to step up and take the challenge.

Maidana left Ortiz battered and bruised.

He was actually at the Staples Centre on Saturday night when Lopez defeated Ortiz. He revealed that it brought back memories from when he defeated Ortiz in a similar fashion. But, he doesn't want to live on the past, he wants to look to the future.

"It was a great card. Great wins from Lucas Mattyhsse and Josesito Lopez. Now it's my turn and I want it to be against [Saul] Canelo Alvarez. That's the opponent I want," told Maidana.

If the fight was arranged, there would be just one small problem. Maidana would have to move up two weight divisions and fight a guy that is a very big light-middleweight. 'El Chino' has fought most of his career at light-welterweight (and sometimes even lighter) so it would be tough for him to put on the weight and still stay in shape.

"All I say is they are looking for a fight for Canelo and I want Canelo. I told that to Oscar De La Hoya in person last night. I know some might say that he's too big for me and I say I like the challenge because Canelo likes to fight and so do I. Styles make fights and it would be a war. A war that I can win."

The 28-year old is coming off of a points loss to American welterweight Devon Alexander and he feels that he needs to prove to himself and the world that he's still got what it takes to compete at the top level.

"I feel like I need vindication from the loss against Devon Alexander. And vindication can only be achieved by getting great victories against great opponents. Regardless of the weight, I know I can knock Canelo out. I like the toughest challenges," explained Maidana.

In all honesty, I can't see this fight happening. Maidana would just be too small and I don't think that Alvarez would feel that he had proved anything from getting a victory against Maidana. The Argentinian is a very good fighter but would just not be strong enough or powerful enough at light-middleweight. I'm not sure that Golden Boy would want this fight to happen either. They are also looking to prove that their young star is one of the best in the world, and you won't do that with this fight.

Randall Bailey calls out Floyd Mayweather!

The current IBF welterweight world champion Randall Bailey, who is now 37-years old, is making the most of his time at the top. And he is starting by calling out the pound-for-pound king Floyd 'Money' Mayweather.

Bailey primarily called out Mayweather but he also claimed that he would fight any deserving world title contender at 147lb (welterweight). But, only if the price is right.

"I've been avoided forever," Bailey said, "but now I'm coming off a world title fight win that ended with a punch people are going to be talking about for a long time. If I had a choice, I'd fight Mayweather next. I like the way Floyd's fighting. He's not running around so much to try to win on points. He's giving guys an opportunity to hit him and that's my type of fight."


"I told him (Jones) that I was going to knock him out. In my mind, that was the only way I'd win the fight. I watched a few of his fights that were close, like the (Jesus Soto) Karrass fight, and I was concerned about winning a decision. I knew when I grazed him in the first round that he'd take off like a thief in the night. The kid ran from me a lot and I caught a lot of his punches with my gloves. I waited for him to sit down for a second. I didn't have that much on my punch (straight right) in the 10th round (Jones was decked for the first time as an amateur or pro) because my leg was twisted. In the 11th, he was laying in under his jab so I couldn't hit him with my overhand right. I decided to back up and as we got closer, he kept his chin down to keep away from my overhand right. It was just natural for me to come with my uppercut like I did. That was my best punch ever. It had so much on it that it looked like my fist was in his face. I hit his nose and it felt like meat coming out."


"That punch was similar to the punches he knocked out (Jackson Osei) Bonsu and (Frankie) Figueroa with," Bailey's manager Si Stern noted, "but this was the best punch I've ever seen Randall land. I'm so proud of Randall. He's at the top of his game and a three-time world champion. His one punch produced the 'Knockout of the Year', if not the 'Knockout of the Decade'. We have the world title belt and won't fight on the cheap. We already have a half-million dollar offer to fight overseas, so why would we take a cheap fight? Once Mayweather gets out of jail, he won't find a better opponent to fight than Randall Bailey, who is one of the most dangerous fighters in the world. Mayweather-Bailey has the potential to be a classic fight."


"We'll listen to any offers - Malignaggi, Alexander, Berto, Ortiz, even Pacquiao or Bradley - if the price is right. Randall has been avoided like the plague; they've been scared to death because of his one-punch power. We'll only have one or two opportunities for a big fight before his mandatory is due. It would be crazy for him to fight now for short money."


It's unlikely that Bailey will even enter negotiations with Mayweather, but if it does get that far, I'm sure that Mayweather would offer the 37-year old way more less than what Bailey would ask for. To be totally honest with you, I don't think that any of the top fighters at the weight would give Bailey the chance that he actually does deserve. He's just not popular enough to participate in a PPV fight and he isn't on the same level as the likes of Pacquiao, Mayweather, Bradley, Ortiz or Berto.


The most likely big pay-days for him would be with either Paulie Malignaggi or Devon Alexander. In my opinion, both of these guys still need to prove themselves and a victory against one of the hardest punchers in the sport would be very good for their careers and reputation.

The Prediction League has returned! Enter Here!

Maidana Vs Thurman added to HBO event on July 21st...

Marcos Maidana.

On July 21st 2012, young superstar Adrien Broner takes on Vincente Escobedo in the main event of the HBO Boxing After Dark show in Cincinnati. And now, another fight has been added to the show. Argentinian welterweight Marcos Maidana takes on up and coming prospect Keith Thurman.

Thurman after his second round KO of Travis Hartman.

This isn't a great fight, as many people have already portrayed it to be, but it is a decent fight. I've heard some people moaning about it and saying it's not even worth watching but I don't think it's that bad.

It's actually good to see an undefeated prospect taking on a tough fighter for once. Thurman (17-0, 16 KO's) has not faced anyone of any note yet but now, unlike many other young prospects in the world right now, he is taking on a fighter who will actually provide him with a tough test. Maidana (31-3, 28 KO's) is definitely past his best but he is still a tough fighter to beat. He has showed the ring with many great boxers that are around today, including a close loss to Amir Khan and wins over Victor Ortiz and Erik Morales. At one point, he looked as though could have gone on to be one of the best in the world. However, recently he has been on a slight decline.

The former world title challenger lost a wide points decision to Devon Alexander back in February which lead many people to think that his run as a top level fighter was over.

This will be a relatively close fight and if Thurman manages to get the victory it could give his career a huge boost and help him a hell of a lot in the future.

What next for Malignaggi?

Paulie Malignaggi.

Yesterday evening (29th April) American welterweight Paulie Malignaggi became the new WBA world champion after beating Vyacheslav Senchenko in Ukraine.

This has brought the WBA belt out of the 'black hole' of the Soviet Bloc boxing world as before this fight, Senchenko was just taking easy fights so he knew that he would keep his title. It has also opened up the welterweight division and made it far more exciting. Sure, this win will not affect the likes of Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao but it is a significant event for the lower tier of fighters that are not quite good enough for the elite level yet as they now believe they can become a world champion.

But, the question is... Where next for Malignaggi?

British prospect Kell Brook.

He is in a great position at the moment as he basically has the choice to fight anyone he wants as they will all jump at the chance of winning a world title. He could take a few easy fights to get a few defences of the belt out of the way but I don't think that Malignaggi is the type of guy who would do that.

His other option is to take try and land a fight with a big name in the division. This is what I can see him doing as he is craving for a big payday. Many people want to see him fight British prospect Kell Brook in a well-paid fight in the UK. Brook has already shown an interest in this fight but Golden Boy have said that this fight doesn't have much chance of happening.

Another option would be to fight Devon Alexander who is also promoted by Golden Boy. This would win-win situation for the promotion company and a fight that both fighters would believe they stand a good chance in.

The third option, which is the one I think that is most likely to happen is that Malignaggi will fight the winner of Victor Ortiz Vs Andre Berto. The fight would receive a considerable amount of interest and Paulie would also get a big payday.

When you look at the big picture.. There is two main options for the champ. He can either fight an unknown and low-level opponent and keep the title or he can cash in on a big payday and risk losing the WBA belt.

Devon Alexander Post-Fight Interview

@IFILMLONDON