Floyd Mayweather’s world titles in jeopardy as future plans remain a mystery

Floyd Mayweather’s world titles in jeopardy as future plans remain a mystery

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Picture by Naoki FakudaDouble title holder may be forced to show his hand

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Pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. is yet to clarify his position within boxing upon his release from a Las Vegas prison in August and could lose both world championship belt he currently possesses in the coming months.


The 35 year-old, who holds both the WBC welterweight and WBA‘super’ light-middleweight belts, is no nearer to announcing his 44th professional bout and certainly an eagerly-awaited fight with nemesis Manny Pacquiao looks as far away as ever.

Having been assured by the World Boxing Council that his title was safe prior to his incarceration, Mayweather;s status as their belt holder was never in question until now as the body have interim champion Robert Guerrero breathing down their necks for his chance to challenge.


Floyd's position with the World Boxing Association on the other hand would seem more secure as Mayweather has only held the belt since his May victory over Miguel Cotto and has not been in a position to defend it. A move to back to 147lbs does look the more likely scenario for sports biggest earner so that belt would almost certainly be relinquished anyway.


The most concerning thing right now is Mayweather’s unwillingness to come out in public and state which belt he intends to keep, or at which weight he will campaign in future. The uncertainty is also detrimental to keeping the man himself at the top of the P4P rankings - with Andre Ward, Nonito Donaire and potentially Pacquiao piling on the pressure.


A fight in 2012 already looks a long shot, with ‘Money’possibly awaiting the outcome of Pacquiao’s next instalment with Juan Manuel Marquez on December 8. The WBC may be forced to act before then realistically as the five-weight world title holder has never shown any intention of fighting Guerrero and has stated more than once that 'The Ghost' is not a big enough name.


My favourite to step up and oppose Mayweather would be Mexican hero Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. A WBA and WBC unification at 154lbs looks a lucrative clash for both sides and would be an easy sell with the age-old experience versus youth angle.


Apart from Canelo, Pacquiao and a rematch with Cotto, there isn’t much out there for the Michigan fighter unless he harbours hopes of tackling Sergio Martinez at a catch-weight, something he has stated on many occasions that he will not do.


Hopefully Mayweather will make his future intentions clear before the end of the year, either to retain his titles or to clear up the whispers that he may be ready to step away from boxing for good. I sure hope that the latter is not the case as boxing would be a duller place without the charismatic champion.