A major boxing card that is set to happen today in California could influence Floyd Mayweather, Jr. regarding a potential ring return.
Undefeated former world supermiddleweight champion Andre Ward makes his light heavyweight debut when he battles fellow unbeaten Sullivan Barrera of Cuba in a 12-round battle at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.
In reality, none between Ward and Sullivan are being considered as potential opponents for Mayweather.
But the currently retired American mentioned the name of Ward as a fighter whom one of his challengers must face before he considers a ring return.
Last week, Mayweather gave a hint about a possible comeback when he challenged undefeated middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan to face and beat Ward before they battle each other.
“He’s gotta call out
Andre Ward, beat Andre Ward and then I’ll fight him. I haven’t seen him call out Andre Ward,” said Mayweather.
Last year, the camps of Ward and Golovkin tried to make the fight but weight issues shot down talks.
Golovkin insisted on a catchweight of 164lbs. while Ward wanted a bout set at 168lbs.
The 33-year-old Golovkin (34-0, 31 knockouts) has mentioned a match with Mayweather as his ‘dream fight’ and that he is willing to move down to 154lbs. to meet the American kingpin.
Golovkin has never fought below 160lbs. in his nine-year career that saw him reign as middlweight champion since 2010.
Golovkin is set to see action on April 23 when he defends his middleweight crown against American Dominic Wade in a 12-round title bout at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
In the same interview with Fighthype.com, Mayweather mentioned another name as someone who could lure him to eye win number 50 and break the late great Rocky Marciano’s unbeaten run who retired without a loss after 49 fights.
The 39-year-old Mayweather tallied his 49th straight win in his last fight when he decisioned Andre Berto September of last year in Las Vegas.
Mayweather said current World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Danny Garcia is one fighter who could make him get the itch to step back in the ring.
“If I did think about coming back, there’s only one name I’m looking at and that’s Danny Garcia,” said Mayweather “I have to say Danny Garcia because you look at Danny Garcia, he’s undefeated and he’s a world champion. If I’m going to fight a guy, it’s going to be a world champion.”
Retiring and coming back is nothing new for Mayweather who called it quits at least five times.
A Mayweather comeback may prop up the upcoming bout between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley set on April 9 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, who lost to Mayweather in their 12-round welterweight battle last May 2015, is said to be angling for a rematch against his American tormentor.
Pacquiao, who also announced that his fight opposite Bradley will be his last, is said to be ready to reconsider his retirement plans if ever he gets a return bout against Mayweather. (DENNIS PRINCIPE)