Mayweather puts on a virtuoso performance to pummel Marquez

Floyd Mayweather Jr returned to boxing last night, putting on a virtuoso performance to claim a unanimous points victory over Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather had Marquez on the floor in the second round after landing with a sharp left hook and in my opinion dominated every round. He looked focused, fast and fresh and showed no sign that his 21 month retirement has diminished his skills. I think the recent, weight division jumping, exploits of Manny Pacquiao had made many people forget just how good Floyd Mayweather Jr really is. After last night's performance there is no doubt in my mind that he is pound for pound the best fighter in the world.

His brilliant defence is the perfect base from which he executes his stunning skills. A defence only matched in history by hall of famers Willie Pep and Pernell Whitaker. A defence so impenetrable that in 40 fights Mayweathers's chin has never been tested by a solid blow. Matched with his hand speed, reflexes, footwork and boxing brain, conquering Mayweather has become one of the most difficult tasks in the sporting world. A task that, as of yet, no one has been able complete no matter how much of their own urine they have drank.

So who will Mayweather's next opponent be? There are three obvious answers. 'Sugar' Shane Mosley was quick to challenge Mayweather in the ring after his victory and the two fighters had to be kept apart as tempers flared. Manny Pacquiao takes on Miguel Cotto in a highly anticipated match up on the 14th of November with the winner placing themselves at the top of the pound for pound pile and firmly in Mayweather's sights. Any of the aforementioned opponents would surely provide the firmest challenge yet to Mayweather and his undefeated record.

As for the defeated Marquez this fight signified the pinnacle of his illustrious career both fisticly and financially. At 36, with the hefty payday he will receive for his efforts securing his future and after such a comprehensive defeat, he may now lack the hunger needed to continue fighting. If he does decide to return to the ring I doubt he will want to compete as a welterweight again. Last night he did not carry the extra 9 pounds well against Mayweather who is more accustomed to the division. The weight though had little to do with the obvious gulf in class and he wouldn't be the first fighter to look out of his depths against the 'Pretty Boy'. He is still a world champion at lightweight and may decide to return to a division where he is king. I pesonally think fighters struggle to get back down to a lower division once they have gained muscle mass to contest a bout at a higher one. I think the light-welterweight division is where his future lies and bouts with Amir Khan, Timothy Bradley or possibly even Ricky Hatton would hand him decent pay days providing he could find the motivation to take what would surely be a step down from the dizzy heights of his battle with Mayweather.

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