There aren’t many out there who expect Floyd Mayweather to stay retired after he secured his 49th professional win over Andre Berto at the weekend, but Mauricio Sulaiman, the president of the World Boxing Council, encouraged the veteran to do so.
Sulaiman thinks the end of Mayweather’s career, in which he won all 49 fights, provides a fine opportunity for others to make their way to the summit of the sport, per Miguel Rivera of BoxingScene.com:
He confirmed his retirement from boxing. For me, I think it would be something spectacular if he didn't return, because it would mark [the start of an era for] a new generation of fighters. He goes out on top, unbeaten with health and money.
If he can maintain that position [by staying retired] it would set an example.
The WBC chief also outlined the fighters he feels could fill Mayweather’s shoes as the pound-for-pound king: “It could be Golovkin, the Canelo-Cotto winner, Chocolatito, Leo Santa Cruz. Quality, charisma and luck is required.”
Rivera noted in his piece that Sulaiman also confirmed Mayweather’s WBC titles at welterweight and junior middleweight “should be vacant by the end of the week.” However, it’s also claimed the WBC is yet to receive any confirmation from Floyd’s camp that they are willing to relinquish the belts.
If Mayweather’s heart is no longer in boxing, he probably should walk away. After all, in such an unforgiving discipline, any lapse in concentration or distraction in preparation could see even the greatest fighters on their backside once they step into the ring.
Former IBF world middleweight champion Darren Barker thinks going out of the sport at the very top, which Floyd clearly still is, is something to be admired:
However, there are factors that could lure the 38-year-old back. As a fierce competitor, he’ll be keen to pass the career record of the great Rocky Marciano, who he equalled with his 49th win in 49 fights. Going to 50-0 against a quality opponent would surely add more strength to Mayweather’s claims that he is the best ever.
In addition, Mayweather is a free agent now. It means he has greater freedom to choose any potential opponent and command extraordinarily lucrative offers for a 50th fight. The latter, in particular, would surely appeal to a man who has been known as Money in the latter stages of his distinguished career.
Laceupboxing thinks despite the talent coming through, fans of the sport will miss Floyd more than they expect:
It’d be a shame if Mayweather did retire on the back of the Berto fight. Not only was the occasion essentially a glorified sparring session, but it revealed he still has the quality to compete at the very top level for a while yet. If he wanted to, you suspect the American could put some distance between himself and Marciano’s record.
After vacating his titles and some time away from the sport, Mayweather may find his competitive edge pushing him to get back in the ring. With so much still left to achieve, it’d be a big surprise if he was to stave those instinctive desires off.
via http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2567561-floyd-mayweather-urged-to-stay-retired-by-wbc-president-belts-set-to-be-vacated
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