The WBC Clears the Way for Garcia vs Mayweather

The WBC always consults its rule book before making an important decision. And as always, the rule book says virtually anything is acceptable as long as the money is right.

But to be fair, it's easy to see how Mayweather could be viewed as a special case, who is exempt from the ranking conditions that encumber lesser mortals. He is after all, undefeated in 50 contests across five weight divisions and has held 15 major world titles.

But by the time he steps into the ring again, "Money"'s age will match the number of fights on his record. But what of it, you might ask? the former WBC heavyweight champion Oliver McCall just boxed again, and won, at the age of 61.

Clearly, in many jurisdictions, age itself is not a barrier to boxing professionally, as long as the fighter passes all the required medical checks. To bar someone on the grounds of their age could expose boxing authorities to accusations of discrimination.

But how thorough are the tests that ageing fighters are subjected to?

In 2021 Mayweather gave an emotional interview  to Seconds Out, in which he claimed that he could be suffering from memory loss. He'd seen first hand the effects of this debilitating condition on several family members, including his uncle Roger.

Floyd had a long career but he is famous for avoiding punches, but he admits that even he still took big shots. The effects add up over time. And a punch to the head of a 50 year-old may risk more serious damage than one to the head of a 25 year-old.

In the same interview, Floyd took comfort from the fact that he'd accumulated generational wealth that would ensure he was well looked after if his mental faculties severely deteriorated. But now it appears that all that wealth has gone. And that is precisely why he is poised to enter the professional ring once again.

In the opposite corner will be the current WBC welterweight champion, Ryan Garcia, who is known for having the fastest hands in boxing. Not ideal against a man whose reflexes will inevitably have slowed since the days when he could effortlessly make punches miss by millimetres.

Floyd may have lost all his money, but he still has his perfect 50-0 record. He wants to make sure that remains intact, regardless of the outcome. But Garcia is determined to be the first to make Mayweather officially taste defeat. Regardless of Floyd's age, taking his scalp will propel the Mexican-American to legendary status. 

Mayweather's star power always allowed him to dictate terms to his opponent. But despite his fame, beggars can't be choosers, and I will be surprised if he isn't forced to concede on this issue.

One disgruntled onlooker will be the WBA welterweight champion, Teofimo Lopez, who was reported to have been in advanced negotiations for a unification match with Garcia. He will now have to wait, or face his mandatory, Jack Caterall for a lot less money.