Floyd Mayweather. I don't get it

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Top 10 Rated Opponents/Champions

1998: Genaro Hernandez (World SFW Champion)
1998: Angel Manfredy (No. 2 SFW)
1999: Carlos Gerena (No. 9 SFW)
2000: Goyo Vargas (No. 10 SFW)
2001: Diego Corrales (No. 1 SFW)
2001: Jesus Chavez (No. 4 SFW)
2002: Jose Luis Castillo (No. 1 LW, WBC claimant) [New lineage]
2002: Jose Luis Castillo (No. 1 LW)
2003: Philip N'Dou (No. 4 SFW) (@135)
2004: DeMarcus Corley (No. 5 LWW)
2005: Arturo Gatti (No. 1 LWW, WBC claimant)
2006: Zab Judah (No. 3 WW)
2006: Carlos Baldomir (World WW Champion)
2007: Oscar De La Hoya (No. 5 LMW, WBC claimant)
2007: Ricky Hatton (World LWW Champion) (@147)
2009: Juan M. Marquez (World LW Champion) (@147)
2010: Shane Molsey (No. 2 WW, WBA claimant)
2011: Victor Ortiz (No. 2 WW, WBC claimant)
2012: Miguel Cotto (No. 1 LMW, WBA claimant)
2013: Robert Guerrero (No. 3 WW)
2013: Canelo Alvarez (World LMW Champion)

Overall record: 45-0
Record vs. Top 10 Opponents/Champions: 20-0

 

It's because a lot of people who would rather see a war wouldn't be that inclined to give Mayweather that much credit for never getting hit.

I'm not going to call him the greatest of all time, or any of that. I just think he would actually be a very difficult opponent in any era, and is the best of this era.

Anything else is just conjecture.

 

Yesterday I had the same thought that Floyd Mayweather was somewhat like Jack Johnson who was known to pick off punches from his opponents with his gloves...He seldom traded with his opposition like Mayweather, and seldom got hit solidly...Like a cat playing with a mouse....
If I could name a fighter of old that Mayweather resembled purely defensive wise, it would be Young Griffo the Australian Whiz who was
considered a defensive featherweight marvel in his time, either sober or in his cups....

 

..

 

over 50 years later people still say he should have fought burley as well though

 

He's great. A lot. There's a lot of greatness there. Very great.

He has a touch of what SRL did, which is pick fights at the right time -- Mosley, DLH were over the hill when he fought them, and Cotto had a few defeats, and he picks guys like Guerrero when their stock is high since they didn't have a chance to begin with. Part of that is smart matchmaking, which is good sense and something most fighters do.

Let's be honest -- in fifteen years we'll be criticizing the top ten and reminiscing how they'd all get beat by Mayweather, the master from yesteryear. Let's save us some time and appreciate him now.

I'm fearful he'll go on too long like so many others and his expensive lifestyle. Great for us boxing fans, and I don't particularly like him as a person, but a fall from grace is never pretty to see.

 

Let's not overrate what took place back then. A lot of those were little more than exhibitions. Think of them like sparring in between real fights now.

You can't compare the era's like you think you can... it works both ways.

 

Robinson was a beast at WW. I don't think anybody in history beats that man, in his prime, at that weight.

And although accurate regarding "staying undefeated," it still doesn't mean that Mayweather is not an ATG. I think it's clear to say he would be on a championship level in any era of boxing, which speaks volumes about Mayweather's skills and physical attributes. You'd be hard pressed to find another 130 pounder to rank ahead of him as well. (It would be a short list of a who's who ATG list)

I will say this: In my 25 years of watching boxing, I haven't seen anybody better than Floyd in my lifetime. Just IMO, and I grew up watching SRL and company. (I know plenty will disagree, and I respect their opinion on this)

 

^ This

 

haters man, Mayweather is the greatest of this era bar Pacman...45 - 0

 

SO what weight does Mayweather belong to ? Featherweight you say ? OK.From 1941 to 1943 for example Willie Pep had 60 fights beating 8 ex champs and other top FWs of his time who fought just as often....
Lightweight you want ? an Ike Williams from 1943 to 1945 had about 49 bouts against several top champions and other top notchers who fought just as often. My favorite action LW Beau Jack fought a Henry Armstrong, Ike Williams, Sammy Angott, Fritzie Zivic, Kid Gavilan etc all in a short period...These guys had more bouts in 3 years than Mayweather has in 15 years...And there were great contenders who I saw that would be champs
today...There were 5 times more pro fighters then today and there were very few stiffs fighting in main eventers at MSG...Mayweather is a unique defensive talent who never had to go through the rigors of fighting 15- 20 times a year against seasoned pros who would all be topnotchers today...
Great for today's semi annual fights but would never have lasted til 35 fighting a dozen times and more a year against great seasoned FWs and LWs...Robinson at welterweight would have torn Floyd apart as Mayweather
couldn't hurt Robby...I repeat Mayweather is a great defensive fighter for THESE times...

 

He's a top 10 ATG.

 

He's a great defensive fighter for any time, Burt, and at the very least, he wouldn't look at all out of place fighting any other great FW, LW or WW who has stepped inside the ring. He might not win all of 'em...But he'd certainly win his share.

 

:deal

 

No chance. Mayweather has a more rounded defense and better whiskers. God bless Roy though, one of the very best in his prime. :good