Mayweather’s Longevity: Nobody compares to him

Man, Mayweather’s longevity is impressive. Think about it. Defeated such a good SFW like Genaro Hernandez in 1998. Now, in 2013, he just regained the WW title. He’s still an elite P4P fighter. That’s 15 years after.

When talking about longevity in a boxer’s career, most think about Holyfield (won WBA cruiserweight title in 1986 and regained HW title in 2000; I’m not counting his recent years losing against titlists / beating journeyman) or Hopkins (won mw title in 1995, defended lhw title in 2011), or maybe Toney (won mw title in 1991, draw with Rahman in 2006). All these boxers were very competitive and won belts in a period that spans over 14-15 years. Muhammad Ali, who won and lost the heavyweight belt over 15 years, is another example.

Archie Moore is definitely #1 in that area. He was beating contenders as early as 1943, and continued until 1962. His career with titles, however, expands from 1952 until 1961. George Foreman is probably #2 (1974-1997), though he spend 10 years retired and other several years beating tomato cans and losing against tougher fighters.

Now that I think about it, Roberto Duran is probably #3. He won the lightweight title in 1972. 17 years later, in 1989, he won a middleweight belt over Iran Barkley. Mayweather still hasn’t arrived to that stage, but he is performing better than late 80s Duran, who’s win over Barkley was a miracle. Mayweather toyed with a Ring Top10 P4P in Guerrero.

Then there are others…Pacquiao defeated Sasakul in late 1998 and “defeated” JMM in 2011. That’s 13 years. De la Hoya’s winning career at the top extends between his first WBO belt (1994) and his win over Mayorga (2006): 12 years. Joe Louis had a 12-year reign. Ray Robinson won the WW title in 1946 and last won the MW title in 1958. Jack Johnson won the “Black” heavyweight title in 1903; his last hurrah in the heavyweight division was in 1914, months before losing the title.

Not too many boxers can be so competitive as Mayweather during 15 years. Leonard, Hearns, Hagler, Whitaker and Chavez weren’t able to do it. Only Moore, Duran and somehow Foreman can give arguments.

 

Hopkins, Foreman, DLH, Duran were also inactive during some point of their careers.

Duran, for example, between 1984 and 1986. A year and a half, just like Mayweather.

Hopkins has been just as inactive or more since 2005.

Foreman = Didn't fought anyone between 1977-1987 and just tomato cans until 1991.