Gatti: Arguably his most punch-perfect performance in which he showed every aspect of his greatness. Obviously Gatti was badly outclassed and stylistically made for Mayweather, but even allowing for that Mayweather's performance was something special. As good as it gets. Marquez: Very tight defensive performance, exemplary all-round, but a bit more forgettable than some of his others. Marquez has never been as hot against genuinely world-class counter punchers, and looked like he didn't belong anywhere near Welterweight, which in fairness he didn't in 2009. Slow and a shade soft. Mayweather also ignoring the agreed 144 lb catchweight takes a bit of the shine off. De la Hoya: Not one of his greatest performances, and the fight itself never really hit the heights, even though it's one of his biggest wins. Won well without dominating or making it a procession. Not a prime Oscar, either. But very impressive how he kept his cool and pulled away in rounds 9, 10 and 11 after having some problems at the half-way stage, though. Mosley: Much prefer this win and performance to the Marquez one. More adventurous here by Floyd (unlike some of his Welterweight fights) and proved he's got a decent chin and recuperative powers to go with all his talent in round 2. After that he made a very dangerous puncher look pretty toothless. Not a peak Shane once more, but you've got to appreciate the way Mayweather, after round 2, stood pretty much flat-footed with him and just picked him apart at mid-distance. Dominant from round 3 onwards and not bad at all to watch. Cotto: A slightly tricky win to rate. Not one of his silkiest performances, but arguably his grittiest against a Cotto who was much more competitive than I was expecting. Given the hammering Cotto got from Pacquiao, against whom Mayweather's performances were constantly being measured while were still waiting for the fight, and the fact that he lost his next outing to Trout, it's probably a win that didn't look too hot in 2012 but has picked up a bit of lustre in years since, as Cotto had a couple of good fights and wins left in him afterwards which a lot of us weren't expecting. Fair to say Cotto raised his game for this one. In terms of his performance, I'd rank them: 1) Gatti 2) Mosley 3) Marquez 4) Cotto 5) De la Hoya. In terms of significance to his ledger and impacting how he's rated, probably 1) De la Hoya 2) Cotto 3) Mosley 4) Gatti 5) Marquez.
Everyone of those fighters on the video had major "Yeah but"s at the time Mayweather jr fought them . #1 Gatti does he really belong in the HOF? Marquez does belong in the HOF,,,,,,AT featherweight/super feather his best fighting weight. At welter close to the end of his career is when he faced Mayweather Jr. Deloyhoya belongs in the HOF, but he earned the credentials almost 10 yrs prior, when he faced Mayweather Jr. He was clearly at the end of career, coming off a 2 year layoff, and cocaine binges. Yet he was in the fight to the end against him. Shane Mosely belongs in the HOF. But he earned it many fights and many wars prior to facing Mayweather Jr. He was clearly at the end of his career when he faced him. Miguel Cotto, a very good fighter, he belongs in the HOF. but he seemed to come up short almost every time he faced prime great fighters. He was a very good fighter, but he also was getting close the end of the line. (Notice a pattern?) In this video as well as through-out his entire career,(mainly at welterweight) Mayweather jr. has purposely or un -purposely always seemed to face fighters at or near the ends of their careers. Mayweather deserves to be in the HOF. No doubt, but he clearly isn't the GOAT. Or, not in the top 20-30 fighters in the history of the sport. I don't believe he was ever a underdog in any fight (At least that I remember) and that indicates most of his challengers were not seen as a real serious threat. Mayweather Jr. was a great fighter, he belongs in the top 50.......But nothing more.
If Gatti is in the HOF, I see no reason why Corrales doesn't make it. A much better, and more accomplished fighter than Gatti, and no less exciting.
You're just showing your bias. For one Mayweather was past his own prime and best weight class against Cotto, De La Hoya, Marquez and Mosley. De La Hoya was fresh off knocking out Mayorga to become WBC champion. Prime opponents (the first 4 are HOF locks): Corrales (last time he was underdog btw) Castillo Alvarez Hatton Judah Manfredy Maidana Chavez Ortiz Corley He went unbeaten while fighting all of the best boxers, of all styles over 5 weight classes for 17 years. There has never been as dominant a boxer for as longer period as Mayweather. To not have in the Top 10 is frankly surreal.
It's ok not to be a fan of someone, or to think this era sucks - but to say Mayweather isn't one of the 30 best fighters we've had so far, is a bit strange. 50 years into the future, how do you think he will be remembered? If people in 2070 are asked to name the greatest boxers up until 2020 (we have no idea, what boxing will evolve, or devolve, into over the next 50 years!) - don't you think more historians are likely have him in their Top-30, than those who have him outside it?
Many great performances but I think his win over the undefeated Diego Corrales might have been the best alongside the Gatti win and the Canelo win ranks high also.
Competition means more to me than undefeated records, give me a fighter that's defeated a couple of fighters proven to be ATG in their primes but has a few losses against proven fighters ,than the one that's undefeated, but all his serious competition had serious questions marks at the time he fought them. Some are swayed by the undefeated record Mayweather Jr. has, and that's ok for them. But me I not only look at the undefeated record , I also look at the competition that fighter faced and when he fought them. It doesn't take genius to notice all his serious competition had serious question marks at the time he fought them, it only takes removing the blinders. Pac , Deloyhoya, Mosley, Marquez all great fighters in prime but were they great when he fought them? A poster brought up Judah,Hatton, Corley, Manfredy Ortiz,and Corley . Which of those fighters anyone remembers as being great? A few, like Judah, Manfredy, and Corley were on the downside of their careers, look at Corley's record after he faced Mayweather Jr. Jury is still out on Canelo. I have never questioned Mayweathers abilities, I question his competition. The Corrales fight was one of his greatest performances, I never questioned that, Corrales was at the top of his game in his prime, a heck of a fighter. But the caveat is Mayweather fought him at his best weight, jr.lightweight where I've praised him many times. My questions are mainly directed at his welterweight run. Based on the undefeated scenario Marciano should be the GOAT, he fought all styles, (But no set-ups like Mcgregor, A UFC fighter restricted to boxing) All agree?
Your definition of 'greatness' is subjective and when a fighter is considered great you find excuses. But Corrales is one of the best 130lbers ever. Castillo was the best lightweight before and after Mayweather beat him. Why are you putting this 'prime criteria' to Pacquaio and Cotto and not to Mayweather himself? Both were years younger than Mayweather when they fought. Delahoya was a massive 4 years older and Mayweather essentially came up from 140 to 154 for the fight Which fighter has Robinson beat that was great and prime? Probably only Gavilian and that's it if you're going by this elite standard of greatness. The rest fail both the eye test and resume test. Robinson also didn't fight the great WW/MW of his era in Burley. Or Holman Williams for that matter. Marciano fought at the top level for 4-5 years, Mayweather took on world champions for 15 years straight (bar a time out in between). Also Marciano didn't 'fight all styles', his management kept him away from the bigger men in the division in Baker and Valdes for whatever reason
Mayorga was clearly on the downside of a sporadic career when he faced Oscar . Also the Mayorga fight was a full year prior to facing Mayweather, two years prior to that figh, Hopkins stopped Deloyhoa. So what, 2 fights in 3 yrs? One of those fights he was soundly beaten. In your opinion were those the best years of his career? Not to mention the drug and alcohol abuse he was going through during this period, Not that great a win when all the facts are presented. At least not in my opinion. Maybe your being bias because I see it differently than you? I see the Mayweather situation differently, that's it. Nothing about bias, nothing I've made up I'm taking the same information your seeing, presenting it in a different light. What I believe this site is ultimately,about,different opinions. Just because I'm not looking at Mayweather through rose coated glasses, doesn't make me bias. Just writing the facts as I see them...... Sorry if that offends you.
Robi beat Lamotta who wa very, very good and used a great jab against Robi in their final clash, Basilio was extremely good too.
Your opinion on Mayweather Jr. is subjective, in my opinion. I'd pick Robinson's best competition over ANYONE Mayweather fought, their is no comparison. Your again showing me the weight your putting on a undefeated record, in contrast to what I use , that is caliber of the competition. I'd pick Leonards best wins over anyone Mayweather Jr. fought... Though his record on the surface is worse. Some see the undefeated record as the end of the conversation. I see a fighter that used a UFC fighter to get his 50th win. Especially since at that time he fought Mcgregor, Spence and Crawford were at the same weight . Just a different perspective, nothing subjective or bias about it.
