What boxers did Floyd Mayweather duck who were in their primes, if any?

Williams beat Margarito when Floyd had Hatton lined up. Williams then lost to Quintana, won the rematch and was permanently done with 147 thereafter. Mayweather was on hiatus at the time. There was basically no window for the fight.

Margarito was with Arum. That’s why it didn’t happen, but he beat all three of Margarito’s conquerors.

 

I would always have favoured Floyd, but the Marquez fights don’t tell us anything.

 

It’s not elaborate to say that Floyd waited for him to decline before he knew he could win.

That’s exactly what happened.

 

Obviously Manny.

Also, Winky.

 

Any knowledgeable fan knows that Floyd avoided Manny.

 

I also watched boxing at this time. I took notice of Paul Williams in 06 when he defeated Walther Matthyse and impressively dispatched of Sharmba Mitchell (although he was floyd and tszyu leftovers by that point), you're talking about 07 when they had been in the same weight class for almost 2 years. I'm not saying the fight was always feasible, but many boxing fans took notice of how stacked 147 was in this time frame, and understandably wanted to see the best fight the best while they were all relatively in their prime. I get why the judah and baldomir fights happened, but you can't tell me floyd cleared out the best of the best at 147. It's fine if he wanted to fight the smaller, less threatening welterweights and make the same money. Hell, i would do the same - boxing is a dangerous sport. but don't tell the world how great you are and then take the softer touch and retire for 2 years when your division is on fire, come back, beat a guy who looked good at 135 and start talking about being better than ali. I know he's marketing himself, but let's not make excuses for him. We missed way too many good fights between mayweather and other great fighters.

 

Williams only won a belt about six months before the Hatton fight. A Mayweather fight could've happened after that but Williams locked away his time at 147 with the loss and rematch to Quintana.

Williams was basically the same guy as Willie Nelson until he proved his worth by taking the belt from Margarito. Mayweather's 2007 was locked away with Oscar and Hatton so Williams needed to force the issue after that. Williams wouldn't have made any sense earlier.

 

I can understand that, but Williams isn't the only fight that could've been made to excite fans. There were so many good welters in the mix at that point. My point was it seems convenient that mayweather missed so many good fights around his weightclass. He got very selective at 47, and being the a side I can understand why you'd exercise some control and safety, I just feel like fans lost out a bit and it's not just a coincidence.

 

I don't really know who he missed until he fought Berto instead of Khan. He fought all of the big draws, beltholders, and future hofers. Guys like Clottey wouldn't have had a prayer.

 

Any knowledgeable fan knows they get blocked for making dumb comments to me.

 

I don't know what it's worth but a former local promoter who is a big Top Rank fan told me that Johnston was swerved by Mayweather when Floyd was with Top Rank. Personally, I would have loved to see Casamayor get the fight, too. It's disappointing that the only "slick" lefty Mayweather got was Judah.

 

That's exactly my point. Big draws and beltholders aren't always the biggest challengers.
It would have been sweet if he showed us guys like clottey , margarito, and williams didn't have a prayer. He was the self proclaimed best ever, yet didn't fight the best in the division. That's just my opinion though. We can agree to disagree.

 

They weren't the best in the division. Cotto, Pac, Judah, Mosley and Marquez (later) were. Williams was in that class for six months. Clottey and Margarito weren't.

 

Where do you come up with this ****? He beat Corley, Pac, Ortiz, Guererro, Mitchell, and Judah. I dont even know of another fighter who beat as many southpaw champs.

 

Floyd would never have fought Williams. And the fact that he was on hiatus speaks volumes.