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After hinting at retirement the past two years, WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. decided Friday to hang up his boxing gloves for good. Whether or not he can remain away from the sport that has consumed his life since childhood will be a subject of discussion.
Associated PressWBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. no longer has the desire to fight.
Some will argue Mayweather isn't retiring at all; that he is simply biding time in an effort to avoid Miguel Cotto, who is scheduled to defend his WBA 147-pound title July 26 against Antonio Margarito. Others will surmise that he wants no part of Oscar De La Hoya -- the two were scheduled to meet for the second time in September.
The first argument -- avoiding Cotto -- has little bite. Mayweather has made clear his reasons for not fighting Cotto numerous times. And it has nothing to do with fear of defeat.
He repeatedly said Cotto must prove himself to be a marquee fighter. That meant facing a major draw, like De La Hoya or Ricky Hatton. Cotto has been a big drawing card in New York City, particularly at Madison Square Garden, but his numbers in Atlantic City are disappointing. Cotto has yet to show he can attract a broad audience outside New York.
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Is that ever a weak "reason" for not fighting Cotto! Floyd says he's a star & can attract huge PPV #'s. What's not to like in a WW megafight between 2 unbeaten WW champs? Throw in the fact that Cotto is Hispanic & you know that fight will draw HUGE #'s across all demographic groups.
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