After De La Hoya, What's Left For Mayweather?

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. can cement his contention that he is the best in the world tomorrow. All indications point to a Mayweather victory. His speed, power, tenacity, desire and ringsmanship just can't be matched by the Golden Boy. The talent disparity is just insurmountable.

But what next?

Mayweather has stated that this will be his last fight (although, he has left the door open for a rematch). So, what challenge lies ahead for Floyd?

The UFC?

It's been brought up in interviews. But, Mayweather has been very derogatory towards the fighters and has said he won't participate.

Hollywood?

Floyd has stated he'd love to get in front of the camera and be on the big screen. He certainly has the charisma.

Promoting?

No shock would be felt if Mayweather hung up his gloves and began managing and promoting fighters and events. He's even mentioned an interest in music.

Floyd is the ultimate competitor. He is still in his prime. He lives to win. We just find it hard to believe he will hang up his gloves and won't be back in the ring. Very few of the great boxers in recent memory have been able to do so.

But we do understand his frustration. There just aren't enough high quality challengers out there to push him.

However, we think we have found the perfect venue for Floyd to exercise his passion for competition and to engage the profound intellect he has revealed to the world in HBO's 24/7.

Chessboxing.

The perfect sport for the thinking boxer.

In a chessboxing fight two opponents play alternating rounds of chess and boxing. The contest starts with a round of chess, followed by a boxing round, followed by another round of chess and so on. In every round of chess the FIDE rules for a "Blitz game" apply, in every boxing round amateur boxing rules apply with the following extensions and modifications: In a contest there shall be 11 rounds, 6 rounds of chess, 5 rounds of boxing. A round of chess takes 4 minutes. Each competitor has 12 minutes on the chess timer. As soon as the time runs out the game is over. A round of boxing takes 2 minutes. Between rounds there is a 1 minute pause, during which competitors change their gear. The contest is decided by: checkmate (chess round), exceeding the time limit (chess round), retirement of an opponent (chess or boxing round), KO (boxing round), or referee decision (boxing round).

Can you imagine the exposure for chessboxing if Mayweather takes up the sport?

And, it would provide a perfect arena to completely bring his father back into the fold. His uncle Roger could remain his boxing trainer. And his father, Floyd Sr., could become his chess trainer.

The sport seems tailor made for the entire Mayweather family.

Even the final rule is favorable:

If the chess game ends in a stalemate, the opponent with the higher score in boxing wins. If there is an equal score, the opponent with the black pieces wins.

Always bet on black.