Why do modern historians have a problem with Mayweather?

Which weight class ?

 

I don't know if he's a top 20, not saying he isn't. I've never evaluated a truly conclusive list. But i have no problem giving him props, i always give him them.

I think the whole 'the classic fans dislike Mayweather' thing is overrated. Some do but think about it like this-

the classic forum is a small section of the boxing world, the general is vast, you've got people in the general forum talking regularly about Mayweather beating the **** out of Robinson and Wlad Klitschko blowing Joe Frazier away, then you've got a few fans over here that don't rate Mayweather. There's a bigger problem there than here, people trying to oust the bias and ignorance should change the focus.

When speaking for myself, Mayweather is a great fighter for sure, i rate him highly.

 

I'm a fan of Mayweather, I love watching him box, but I do have a problem with his relatively weak his resume compared to what it could/should be.

Mostly everyone agrees that his opposition was good up to 2002. From 2003-on, it's been disappointing. There's been some solid wins, along with some soft touches. I'm actually most critical of what he's done since the Hatton fight since he's now in a position to get the big fights against basically anyone he wants. He's not on the outside looking in, he's the big name and draw now, and those fighters can pick and choose their opponents. He negotiated a rematch with DLH, had a bull**** retirement, then faced Marquez, a great but undersized opponent. I understand the logic behind that (outshine Pacquiao, sell more PPVs than Pac-JMM 2 and get some negotiating leverage) but it doesn't do much for me as a fan.

I'm happy he's facing Mosley, enough that I'm still a fan, but I think some (not all) of the criticism towards Mayweather is fair.

 

I don't even have Pacquiao in the top twenty. I have Floyd in the forties.


Edit: Oh, in his weight class. Okay, I'm sorry. I don't know how I glazed over that. I thought you meant p4p. Different argument altogether. Welterweight Floyd has not been convincing enough in his welterweight credentials for that, for me.

 

Most Boxing Historians don't rate them until there career is over. If Floyd beats Mosley and then Manny, he will be rated pretty high. If Roy Jones stopped boxing after he beat Ruiz, he would have been rated as one of the Greatest boxers in history, now some have doubts about that.

 

Because he hasn't been a welterweight/done enough in that class to be considered a top 20 ATG. You can't put too much weight on his accomplishments at the lower weight classes when rating him as a welter, when there are ATG fighters with many many fights, and big ones, at that weight. Luckily for him tough, his career isn't over, and I think the 2 year lay off will help him in the second half of his career. He's grown more to the point where he is now a legit welter, not a small one, and no doubt his body has recovered not being in a fight for so long. I think a lot of people are too blinded by what they think mayweather could do, not what he's actually done.

This is all coming from a huge mayweather fan, love his boxing, he entertains me outside of the ring (while sometimes making an ass of himself which is also entertaining), and hate most mayweather fans.

 

Mayweather is an incredible fighter

Don't worry Mendoza. Fighters usually get their deserved appreciation after retirement.

Just wait till Mayweather retires and he does an interview where he says "I was just comparing myself to Robinson to draw fans". People will love him.

 

It needs to be put into perspective that 147 is Floyd's FOURTH division. His best weight was 130, where he is arguably the GOAT (to answer your question) and he peaked is a light welter. On a singular H2H basis I'd put him in the top 20 from 130-147, but it simply doesn't work that way. At this point he hasn't done enough to be put into the top 20 at welter, which isn't such a bad thing imo because of the reasons already stated. But a Mosley and Pacquiao win can help that. As it's been stated already all folks are waiting for is for Floyd's resume to somehow come close to matching his extroadinary talent. He has time.

 

What ATG prime fighter has mayweather ever beaten? He needs to defeat manny pacman if he wants the credit. Wins over Oscar and Shane are nice, but both are well past there primes.

 

Roy >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Floyd

 

He's a great fighter whose skills stand next to anyones (almost)... But look at what other fighters in the past have achieved... Floyd is nowhere near a top 20. He's not even close.

Beating up a 40 year old and then beating little pac man still isn't going to cut the mustard.

 

Modern fighters don't get credit until they've retired. No on would have Lewis in their top10 prior to his retirement, now top3 is quite acceptable. Historians dont want to admit a modern upstart can take the place of their much loved favourates.

Then theres the fact every 1 of the modern fighters weaknesses and indiscretions are under the spotlight. Where as old timers and their avoidance of their contemparies are all forgotten. With Floyd this is especially true as hes vermently disliked

 

I agree with you but your new avatar is killing my soul, man.