Sitting here having a conversation with one of my co-workers. I realized that a fighter like a Floyd Mayweather will never get his due until he is gone. Hear me out, and this has to do with the greatest of the greats. Muhammad Ali was ceremoniously hated for his refusal to enter the draft and then converting to Islam. In his fight with Frazier 1, Frazier was billed as the people's champ. Michael Jordan was ceremoniously labeled as an endorsement *****. Nobody, andi mean nobody was hated as much as Jordan back in the day. I'm 45 years old so I remember the hate Jordan used to get. Now you couldn't pay someone to say that Ali and Jordan weren't the GOAT's I think the same will hold true for Floyd and LeBron. Those seem to be the most hated on athletes today. 20 years from now though.... Thoughts?
I'm 35 and I can remember the hate Jordan got. But Floyd has something going for him that Jordan never did, he's a despicable person. By purists he'll always be loved, but fans of the entertainment aspect of the sport he'll never garner a following even in the future..
I don't think attitude has everything to do with it. For instance if there was Basketball blog like this one, I'm sure LeBron would get the same level of hate as Floyd does. And he's the nicest person on the planet.
The sad truth is that Floyd has punished the fan. He builds his pocket-bursting events into something they're not. I believe he said something about blood, sweat and tears after his exhibition against Guerrero. Of course one of his catchphrases is about 'giving the fans what they want'. Conviction aside, he is not sincere, and people see that.
I don't see how that can be true. Mayweather didn't force anyone to spend their money to see him. He didn't go into my bank account to pay for the fight. He is who he is as a fighter. Yes he sells tickets very well. But I know what to expect in a Floyd Mayweather fight. Anyone who paid money to see anything different, is on them for their dissappointment. Not Floyd.
Honestly, people will remember Mayweather as the best of his era, one of the best boxers of all time, but also as Duck Runhugger Jr. But our impression of him is correct. He's a Top 50 ATG but not a Top 30.
