09.08.06 – by James Slater: Strong indications say pound-for-pound king, Floyd Mayweather will box Cory Spinks in his next outing. The fight, already approved, sanctioning wise by the IBF, is being talked about for “Pretty Boy’s” November 4 pay-per-view commitment. Tentatively scheduled to take place at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the bout is a fascinating match-up. It seems Floyd is keen on moving up to light middleweight and challenging Spinks for his belt. The question is, is 154 too high for Floyd?
Spinks is coming off a very good, albeit controversial win, over the excellent Roman Karmazin. Now a two-time world champion, Cory will be no pushover for Mayweather. He has only been stopped once – by Zab Judah – and his fine and silky skills have seen him box his way to many fine victories. One of them over Judah, in their first meeting.. And Zab, in his fight with Floyd, was more than holding his own in the first half of the contest, before Mayweather came on to dominate late. But this was at welterweight – will the undefeated modern great be as effective up a division?
We know Spinks can box effectively at 154 – the win over Karmazin, although extremely close, proves it. Because, and let’s get it straight right now, Roman Karamzin is one very good fighter. More than a few top names have been rumoured to have avoided him – Oscar De La Hoya, for example. Yet Spinks beat him, becoming only the second man to do so. With his southpaw stance, Cory was able to frustrate the Russian. And I for one feel his style of fighting will pose Floyd Mayweather with more than a few problems also.
With the new poundage Floyd will be boxing at thrown into the equation, I think a very interesting boxing match will unfold at The MGM in November. And a boxing match is what we will get. In what I feel is almost certain to be a distance fight, both guys will be showing off their slippery skills. But if – and I admit, it’s a big if – “Pretty Boy” has bitten off more than he can chew by fighting the taller and bigger man, he may find his punch prowess isn’t quite as effective as it has been. In the same way the all-conquering Ricky Hatton found out how tough it can be going up the divisions, Floyd Mayweather just might be heading toward a rude awakening too.
Cory Spinks to pull off the upset of the year? I believe the man from St. Louis is more than capable!