Is floyd really a coward? Debunking the myths!

The most insulting label that could be conffered on a boxer, in this most brutal of sports, is cowardice!
So we have Floyd Mayweather junior, multi weight champ and unbeaten, being accussed by many of being a coward. Running away from fighting Manny.
I believe that this both a simplistic and lazy accusation and does not stand up when you look at the history and DNA of this fighter, psychologically and emotionally.

1. Firstly a quick reflection. I have noticed that the cowardice tag in the history of boxing has at times all to easily been given to the technician rather than the brawler. So at various times boxers like Ali and Ray Leonard were accussed of being scared. In reality both were amongst the bravest out there.
2. Floyd's opponents have included some monstrous tasks in different ways. Tasks no less daunting than facing Manny and arguably in some cases, going into those fights, more daunting. Floyd faced down 2 monsters in their prime at LW in Corrales and Castillo. How many people would have viewed them as walks in the park after their heroic contest. Fighters with intensity and true KO potential. Floyd might have outboxed Castillo in the 2nd fight but how about the brave decision to pretty much fight the bigger punching Corrales in the pocket for a lot of the fight! I would also like to mention the Oscar fight. Now people talk a lot of rubbish in hindsight about this fight. Lets be clear the contention going into that fight was that Oscar had enough left and was fresh enough to kill Floyd. His motivation enhanced by serious trash talking and baiting by Floyd. Crucially why ignore the brave decision to fight Oscar at light middle!? No weight drained Oscar here and no catchweight in sight. why is that not brought forward as the decision making of a brave and confident fighter?
3. Fast forward and to the Mosley fight. The main consensus from man was that if Shane stood a chance than it was in the early rounds. Well I for one would have told Floyd to box for the first half and turn i tup later like he did against anothe fast and powerful puncher he faced, Judah. Floyd instead fights arguably the biggest puncher in that division in the pocket, unusually very static and in the centre of the ring. As a tactician i thought it was way to brave and unecessary. And he got caught!!!
4. Floyd gets caught flush by 2 haymaker punches in the same round!!! Well is this not the true test of a boxers bravery? I bet if i had asked many of his detractors before the fight how Floyd would react in this circumstance they would have said streotypical stuff like 'he would run like a chicken'. I have to say that 2 things were obvious , firstly the amazing powers of recovery and shockingly the decision to go into round 3 and stand his ground well within Shanes range and seek to exact retribution. High risk and brave!
5. So to the contention that in the negotiations for the fight with Manny he is running scared. There is nothing in what we know about Floyd that points to a fighter that is scared by anything he faces in the ring.
6. The drug testing I believe was a something that just developed. Floyd senior started off with it and they saw it as a chance to play some mind games. I think they were shocked as were many by Manny's initial strong reaction against the testing. I think the more they pushed the more an intital stunt started to spook them more than a little bit. Bob Arum in my opinion mismanaged this situation. Floyds biggest weakness is his arrogance and now it became about who dictates to who.
7. To the present situation. I think one thing Floyd's detractors are underplaying is his current state of mind. The distractions in his private life are big. Not the altercation with security guards but the events with his ex. Floyd is a dedicated father and in his way very close and focused on his kids. The altercation (caused by his own stupidity i might add) drew in his kids and has caused a major rift. This I believe is like a dagger in the heart for Floyd who himself had many unresloved issues from his childhood between his parents. He is not in the state of mind for boxing I beleieve based on those particular set of circumstances.

In conclusion, Floyd's bravey is not in question. Those who claim it is are far too simplistic in their views. Strangely I think Manny might have started to believe that Floyd is scared of him...... BIG BIG ERROR!!!

 

come on!!! thats palin lazy sir! doesnt stand up. As i said he fought DLH at Light middle unlike Manny who made DLH boil down to welter. He has been the smaller guy almost consistently sinc emoving up to higher weights than light weight. So is your contetion that he has weight advanatage over Baldomir, Judah (big welters) or Moseley or DLH. Hatton moved up to welter and had already fought at the weight! Hatton felt ready to move up and was always a big light welter. the only one who moved up was marquez from a much lighter weigth... so one!!!
Age Moseley and DLH.... same as Manny!!! but most of the rest young fighters... Floyd has 15 or more at the time current or past cahmpions on his CV!
Your synopsis also seems to be based on a premise that Floyd started boxing the day he fought Hatton... bit odd!

 

Ah perhaps the depth of the synposis went over your head or not to your interest! By the way would be happy to bet you ur house on your certaintly that Floyd doesnt fight again! Even better doesnt fight by this time next year:thumbsup

 

Agreed:happy

 

Well said! Floyd is a flawed character and if he was my family i would have cause to sit him down sometimes and say brother u are acting like a *****! But on the boxing fundamentals he aint no coward.... he has the same devil in him that greats like Ali and Ray Leonard had, not just the Haglers, Listons and Foremans of this world

 

Surprisingly .... this was just that bit more deeper than i expected from you squire:good

Keep pluggin away ole boy!:good