The Neutral Corner

The Neutral Corner battles The Steel Cage over this boxer vs. wrestler debate.

So maybe you haven't heard yet, but Newsday now has a professional wrestling blog. A sad day for journalism indeed. But that's another matter. This becomes relevant over here in our corner because Floyd Mayweather will take on The Big Show in yet another "classic" boxing-wrestler match.

The last time I was this excited about pro rasslin' came when I was 23 years old and landed a job at The Ring magazine. The company also put out Pro Wrestling Illustrated and Bill Apter, the famed photographer, occupied the desk infront of me. Sitting next to Apter for five years I was able to meet Cactus Jack (before he was really famous), Sting and one of my all-time favorites, Mil Mascaras. And yes, he wore his mask to the office. I loved going to work every day. OK. So those years of my life were a bit dull, but that's another matter.

Let me get back on point, or to the point -- Floyd Mayweather will beat Big Show when they face each other at WrestleMania 24, Sunday, March 30, at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

I'm sure my colleagues over at the Steel Cage blog will defend the honor of rasslin' and select the 7-foot Big Show to win. Let me tell you why they're wrong.

First, let's look at the tale of the tape.

Weight: Mayweather 159, The Big Show, 441
Height: Mayweather 5-8, The Big Show, 7-0
Reach: Mayweather 72 inches, The Big Show, 84
Biceps: Mayweather 16, The Big Show, 21
Fist: Mayweather 9, The Big Show, 15
Chest: Mayweather 42, The Big Show, 67
Wasit: Mayweather 32, The Big Show, 50
Shoe Size: Mayweather 9, The Big Show, 18 6E

A formidable matchup for Mayweather (wink). But as they say in boxing, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. In Mayweather's case, it's actually the speed of the dog. Watch this hysetical video below of Mayweather bustin' Big Show's nose at a wrestling event.

Did you see that? I'm actually starting to like Floyd. Back to the point. You can't hit what you can't catch. And with Mayweather scheduled to make upwards of $20-million fighting Oscar de La Hoya in the fall, Big Show will never catch him. He won't even come close.

But, as Mayweather said, it will be entertainment. Floyd doesn't have to try too hard to play the heel. So it oughta be fun. The last time I was this excited about pro rasslin' -- aside from my location to Apter's desk -- was when I was 12 years old and caught the athletic tape that Superstar Billy Graham ripped off his wrists and flung into the crowd at Nassau Coliseum.

I will gladly award that sweaty swath of tape to the first person who can tell me why a respectable news outlet like Newsday now has a wrestling blog? -- CASSIDY

Read The Steel Cage's take on this debate.

BY MARCUS HENRY

Just when I thought boxing was getting its act together...It had to come back with Mayweather-De La Hoya II. What a waste.

According to ESPN.com's Dan Rafael, Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya will hook up for the second time on September 13 or 20. The venue has yet to be determined.

Boxing had a great 2007. The matchups were excellent and the fights were great. Cotto-Mosley, Cotto-Judah, Pavlik-Taylor, Mayweather-Hatton, Calzaghe-Kessler, Vazquez-Marquez (twice) and Williams-Margarito were just a few of the great fights we saw in '07.

Floyd Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya was a great event. The fight was okay, but the atmosphere surrounding it was incredible. All of that notwithstanding, I covered their fight on May 5th, and as a fight fan, I can think of at least five other matchups in the welterweight division I'd rather see. This doesn't mean I don't like the fighters. I've always been a fan of both fighters. But it's difficult to believe the outcome of the next fight would be any different. Mayweather is too quick, too elusive and too young for De La Hoya.

If the first fight was an epic battle that kept me on the edge my seat (and laptop) for 12 rounds, that's one thing. But I just don't see De La Hoya being able to hit Mayweather. That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to cover it if given the opportunity. (I know, shameless self promotion).

That fight pretty much dashes any hopes we had of seeing Cotto-Mayweather or even Cotto-De La Hoya this year. Making matters worse, it throws everything off for 2008. Talented welterweights like Paul Williams, Kermit Cintron, Antonio Magarito and junior welterweights like Paulie Malignaggi and Ricardo Torres will have to wait a bit longer for big fights and big pay days.

Mayweather-De La Hoya II will make headlines and money. But that's about it.

BY MIKE ROSE

It appears Floyd Mayweather Jr. possibly jumping to mixed martial arts will have to wait.

ESPN.com's Dan Rafael is reporting that Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya are close to a deal for a rematch sometime in September.

It makes a lot of sense for Mayweather. The first fight, which Mayweather won, broke all sorts of records (total gross, pay-per-view subscriptions, pay-per-view gross and live gate).

The rematch probably won't do as well financially as the first fight, but I expect the numbers will be very good.

Rafael reports that the fight could take place in Los Angeles, maybe in Dodger Stadium.

Apparently, Mayweather is exhausted from a very busy 2007 and is taking time off. So this will be his only fight of 2008.

While this fight is great news for boxing fans, it leaves the sensational Miguel Cotto out of the equation, at least for this year.

BY MIKE ROSE

Dan Rafael and Marc Stein of ESPN.com have a story about WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. making a possible jump to mixed martial arts.

Is it possible?

According to the story, yes it is.

Rafael and Stein report that Mayweather developed a friendship with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban during their participation on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." The story goes on to say that Cuban also owns HDNet Fights, an MMA promotional company that airs its bouts on Cuban's HDNet. Mayweather and Cuban even met on Thursday.

I'm taking this story seriously. MMA is wildly popular and the money potential for Mayweather is great. Mayweather is always looking for challenges and this would be a great one.

Plus, I'm convinced that Mayweather is bored with boxing. He shattered boxing and television revenue records in 2007 in fights against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, both wins.

What other challenges are left?

Well, Mayweather needs to fight Miguel Cotto in a mega fight in 2008 before he makes a jump to MMA. That's the one fight out there that would be a major challenge, and the fight boxing fans want to see. But there's no deal in place for a Mayweather-Cotto fight -- at least not at this moment. I believe a Mayweather-Cotto fight will take place, probably in late spring or early summer. And if Mayweather beats Cotto, I believe he'll give MMA a try.

What do you think about Mayweather making a possible jump to MMA?

* WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is the next obvious choice as an opponent for Floyd Mayweather Jr. But don’t be surprised if Cotto is lured into a fight against Oscar de la Hoya in May at Dodgers Stadium. It would bring more money to him because Oscar always brings in more money. If the winner faced Mayweather Jr., it just might eclipse all the financial records set by De la Hoya-Mayweather.

* Every great fighter has something they get away with. Greg Long, boxing aficionado at Newsday, reminds us that Ali grabbed opponents behind the neck. Tyson used his elbows and Holyfield led with his head. With Floyd, his left elbow and forearm are an integral part of his defense. It was more obvious in this fight because Hatton pressed Floyd more than any previous opponent. Nonetheless, referee Joe Cortez did a lousy job of getting Mayweather to stop. He threatened to take points, but never did.

* HBO’s 24/7 series is the best marketing tool to hit boxing since the explosion of the Internet. Fans that would otherwise ignore boxing are familiar with Mayweather and Hatton because of that series. And most that I’ve spoken with actually watched the fight because the series piqued their interest.

* One thing I can do without, though, when it comes to 24/7 is uncle Roger Mayweather’s excessive use of “m-----f-----er.” I cringe every time I hear him say it. He said it an awful lot in the corner on fight night too.

* It is boxing tradition that the referee stands at ring center, between both fighters, and raises the winner’s hand once a decision is announced. A variation on that theme still exists, even after knockouts. But somehow, the image of Mayweather, one arm slung around the shoulders of Cortez, after the fight seemed inappropriate. Both men were beaming for the cameras. Does the umpire pose with the winning pitcher after a game? Does the referee stand at the 50-yard-line and hand the game ball to the star running back?

* Nice to see a departure from Floyd’s 24/7 persona after the fight. He is as humble in victory as any athlete I can recall. Couple that with the emotional bear hug he threw around his three children after the fight and it makes you wonder which is the real Floyd?

* It was revealing that Hatton said Floyd was a bigger welterweight than he expected. Floyd's first title came at 130 pounds. Hatton has never fought under junior welterweight (140). That would presumably rule out Hatton ever fighting De la Hoya, who walks around as a middleweight. You got the sense from Oscar last month in New York that he was angling for a match with Hatton.

* To me, one indicator of greatness is a fighter’s ability to adapt. Floyd has been able to defeat any style he encounters. No matter what the opponent does, Floyd has an answer.

* So Floyd spoke about a “long vacation,” after this bout. I never thought I’d say this, but please Floyd, not too long. -- CASSIDY

BY MARCUS HENRY

To be honest, what Floyd Mayweather does next is anyone's guess. He's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Miguel Cotto backers will certainly protest that last statement. And rightfully so. But right now, it's Mayweather. There isn't a fighter in the game that makes people miss like Mayweather. And no one does it as effortlessly as he does. He also showed some power in his 10th TKO victory over Ricky Hatton.

The question is what is next for him. Believe or not a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya is not out of the question. Not sure why either fighter would even entertain that idea. I covered the May 5th tilt between them. And Mayweather is too young and too elusive for De La Hoya, who would be pushing age 36 by time the fight is made. A more logical slate of opponents would be Antonio Magarito, Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Shane Mosley or even Kermit Cintron. Truthfully, a fight against one of the aforementioned five fighters would be better for boxing.

The only fighters amongst them who has enough of a name to draw big money are Cotto and Mosley. But some boxing experts will argue that Cotto might be too big for Mayweather. And Mosley's age (he's 36) would be a big issue.

The bottom line is money talks. Mayweather got $20 million for the De La Hoya fight. If De La Hoya came calling again and the money is right, don't be shocked if you see the two mix it up again. I'd be lying if I said that fight wouldn't be a waste of time.

RIP longtime boxing writer and historian Hank Kaplan. He will be missed.