By Robert Jackson: With the performance on September 19th of this year behind us, 12 rounds and 1M PPV buys later Money Mayweather’s return shows Pacquiao (and everybody else) how its done! While Mayweather was taking care of his business other fighters near or around his weight class were jockeying for bargaining position to be a part of a big event in the 147lb division which may lead to a showdown with Mayweather.
During the summer Shane Mosley strolled into the Wild Card Gym for a sit down with Freddie Roach regarding a fight against Pacquiao, conceding to a 140lb weight and monetary conditions which were alleged to be a 65/35 split in Pacman’s favor. Let’s not forget that previous to this overture Mosley turned down a reported $3M+ payday to face contender Paul Williams..
Mosley also entered the ring during Mayweather’s post-fight interview with HBO’s Max Kellerman and challenged “Money May” to a fight.
As of early October Williams has secured and finalized a fight against once beaten middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik scheduled for December 5th in Atlantic City NJ. Williams also chided Mosley for calling out Mayweather saying ” you called Mayweather out, now I’m calling you out”. Not stopping there Williams also called out Mayweather and Cotto.
Prior to September 19th Freddie Roach predicted a boring fight between Mayweather and Marquez while also proclaiming that the fight would be a dismal failure. Freddie also speculated that he saw weaknesses in Mayweather’s fight game that Pacquiao would exploit when the time came. After 9/19/2009 Freddie Roach released another proclamation “Manny doesn’t need Floyd, Floyd needs Manny”!!
Top Rank boss Bob Arum also proclaimed any fight between Money Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, would be handled monetarily with a 65/35 split in Pacman’s favor, that was then!! In early October Arum ‘the promoter that he is’ suggested that Mayweather take a fight with Shane Mosley. What happened to the 65/35 split??
Mosley still looking for a big fight after failing to secure 2 December dates on HBO is currently in negotiations for a fight against WBC 147lb Champ Andre Berto, scheduled for early 2010.
Berto WAS supposed to rematch Luis Collazo, the two met earlier this year in a FOY type fight with a controversial win being awarded to Berto. The WBC has put the purse bid for Berto/Collazo II on hold seeing greener pastures if Mosley/Berto is made.
Luis Collazo is now in need of a dance partner for a fall bout, any takers??
Joshua Clottey who lost a controversial decision to Miguel Cotto earlier this year has signed on the dotted line for a December matchup on the undercard of Pavlik/Williams against Puerto Rico’s Carlos Quintana who also has a loss to Cotto. Prior to signing for this bout Clottey was in the running for a December 26th fight against Shane Mosley.
Kermit Cintron former IBF 147lb Champion will be facing Juliano Ramos in Puerto Rico just a ‘stay busy’ fight that if won dominantly enough MAY put him (and Clottey as well) in the Mayweather derby should Mayweather be unable to come to terms with Bob Arum and Team Pacquiao. Mayweather has since said he will not WAIT for the Pacquiao/ Cotto winner!!
Former Mayweather opponent Zab Judah returns to the ring on November 26th to restore his standing in the 147lb division, Judah will be taking on Mexico’s Ramon Montano. Judah pulled out of a matchup against the older brother of Ricky Hatton, Matthew Hatton which was supposed to be televised on the undercard of the Mayweather/Marquez PPV.
All this activity is in and around the 147lb division where Money May has returned to make his presence felt. That’s not to say that the division or boxing was dead during Mayweather’s absence on the contrary this activity along with the SUCCESS of the Mayweather/ Marquez bout has made PBF once again the centerpiece of the 147lb division.
The scurrying and bustle surrounding the division says to this writer that Mayweather’s return has set the wheels of boxing turning faster, because prior to his return most of these fights weren’t on the horizon. All many boxing fans had to look forward to this fall was
Pacquiao/Cotto and Showtime’s Super 6 Tournament which will kick off later this October.
Mayweather’s return brings the DRAMA seen only during HBO’s 24/7.