I can agree with that. Definitely a good read. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/14/s...weather-needs-most.html?pagewanted=1&src=recg
Holmes/Norton is a classic that history has literally swept under the rug. I hope this does not happen to either of these two. I like this part: Every great boxer we care about has had a noble opponent, and together they created a great moment. Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries. This content is protected Joe Louis and Max Schmeling. This content is protected Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. This content is protected Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran. This content is protected Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns. This content is protected This content is protected Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao ? That is the question.
pacman is a hero in his country and floyd is not. hes not some freedom fighter because we not even in that type of era.floyd is the best boxer his generation has seen, thats what he will be known for and thats it.
FMJ thinks that blacks should back him just because he is black, but we aren't in that era anymore. Elite blacks in sports are too frequent, and have been for a very long time, to be rooting for them just because they are black. The only time I root for someone based on nationality even, is during the Olympics. The way I see it, black and white Americans don't get to root for a guy because of respective colors. Everyone else...the Mexican Americans, and Puerto Rican Americans, Asian Americans...for whatever reason, I see nothing wrong with it. Sounds strange, but makes sense in my mind.
I'm old enough to remember when Mohammed Ali was around that people hated him.....Now he is revered....People didn't like what he stood for (hated the fact he spoke out about racism, hated the fact that he didn't want to go to war etc etc ) and always found a reason to support his opponent whether it was Liston, Fraizer or Foreman. Not only that but they would discredit him and try and claim he wasn't "The Greatest" because of numerous reasons (including Rocky Marciano) The fact is no human is perfect, Floyd Mayweather certainly isn't but he is a great boxer and dedicated to his craft, you have never seen him complain about his socks, leg cramps or that he took his opponent lightly. He is the best of this generation and while he is no Mohammed Ali in terms of personality or oratory skills, but it's like the establishment is somehow mad at him that he didn't stay in his lane and just accept the pay days Bob Arum gave him.
A longtime friend of Mayweathers told The Timess Greg Bishop: As long as theyre talking about him, hes happy. He knows hes relevant, which means hes doing something right. But is Mayweather really relevant? After the Cotto fight, The main thing is that we got the victory. The fans were happy. Its about impressing fans and giving them what they want to see. --- Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. Money would of made an excellent fool in some royal court back in history. What is he talking about??? It was neither a technically superior display of defense or a "shock and awe" of OFFENSE. Just like his schizophrenic proclamations and demands, HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL WANTS, his life has just come down to protecting the ZERO in the loss column. The fight just basically went the way everybody thought it would go... another notch in Money's win column. Impressed, hardly... The *****s in his armor are definitely showing... Do you think his entourage or fans have the balls to tell Mayweather Saturdays performance was so-so??? Hell, NO!!! They are easily impressed... Sort of like when monkeys smell their own ass
NY Times is a good measure of the pulse of the mainstream. Good find and great read. *****s: NYTimes DKSA-cultural icons.
atsch Jesus H Christ.... Mayweather said he would easily beat Pacquiao, but wouldn't get any credit... WTF??? He hasn't even stepped in the RING with the MAN and he's already MAKING EXCUSES... The Pretty One is a walking talking conundrum that insults and berates Pacquiao on one side of his mouth and talks him up (in his backhanded way) that he sounds like the BIGGEST PACATARD around. What I don't understand is why the SELF-PROCLAIMED G.O.A.T. would need to hide behind all his STRAW-MAN arguments before he even steps into the ring with Pacquiao? A future boxing historian who won't be beguiled by Money's antics, will see right thru Money's smokescreen. All he has to ask is if they NEVER fight, why did lesser BOXERS who never had a fraction of the advantages or skills Mayweather had, fight Pacquiao, but Mayweather never did.... hmmm:think:think:think
IF Floyd fights and beats Pac his legacy and attention will be greater than what it is now. And he would get a lot of respect. Especially if he remains humble afterwards. Personally, given that he is 35 and past his prime, I would give him greater respect now than if these two were both matched up at their best because I think Floyd would have been just to good. Of course, the casual viewer and many others won't be looking at that but its just from a personal stand-point. But he is not an "ICON" at this point. Pac however is.
With the internet and media there is far too much saturation of sports figures in the mainstream. Floyd has done an admirable job for how far he's come, but he is a step below even the Delahoya, Chavez' and Leonard's as far as icons go. He is a boxing icon though, that much is for sure.
good read. I think the writer does speak for a certain group of boxing fans but not all. Neither of these guys are exactly heroes,both have done things outside the ring that will be looked down upon. As far as his boxing legacy i disagree with A fight with Pac does elevate his ATG status, but the guy is already a ATG and not just simply another fighter. The Pac fight will be a lose/lose for Mayweather. If he wins,well hes suppose to,if he loses,the haters will hammer at he was just a phony the whole time. IMO Mayweather has no Frazier to his Ali,or a Duran to his Leonard. IF he fought Pac I dont think it would be a competitive fight, and afterwards the excuses would roll in that Pac was too small,too old. Instead of giving Floyd credit for being just that much better than anyone in his generation. A side note I do believe in due time Floyd will be remembered for other things that impacted the sport. First, becoming his own boss. Now a days you see your favorite boxers going broke, because even though they generated millions of dollars,they never had there business in order. Oscar started this movement and now Floyd to break away from the greedy promoters and take charge of your own career. In time I think we will see this movement continue and will look back and give Oscar and Floyd the credit. Second, the drug testing issue. Floyd was first at the front to clean up the sport. In due time I think that blood testing will be the standard for big fights, and we will look back and will have to give Floyd his credit.