Why Doesn't Roy Jones Jr. Consider Floyd Mayweather Jr. A Top Boxer Of All Time?

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is one of 15 boxers to retire with an undefeated record and has the second most wins of that shortlist of stars. Still, Roy Jones Jr. does not consider him a top-five boxer of all time and recently explained why.

The 56-year-old combat great appeared on Ring Champs this week and was asked where Money Mayweather stood among the all-time greats, specifically whether he was top five or not. “No, not in my book,” Jones said. “Maybe top 10 in my book, but not top five.” The Pensacola, Fla. native clarified that he believes Mayweather is a highly capable and talented boxer, but there was one specific box that he did not check in his career.

“Here’s what my problem is […] who did Floyd fight that was on his level when he fought them? Only [Canelo Alvarez], that’s it. Don’t give me that stuff about the other guy that was going to prison.” One of the hosts mentioned Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao, but Jones emphatically stated that Cotto was not up to par with Mayweather. He said that Cotto was “already done” and is only considered an all-time great among Puerto Rican boxers.

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Why Doesn't Roy Jones Jr. Consider Floyd Mayweather Jr. A Top Boxer Of All Time?

 

Mayweather isn't even close to being a top 5.. it's easier to go undefeated today.. fight frequency at the higher level is much lower than in previous eras.. they fight 2/3 times a year now rather than a dozen times a year.. if you fight more often it becomes harder to maintain consistency & underperformances would be more common. It also takes a heavier toll on the body..

Today they also benefit from PEDs which aid performance & recovery, gloves with more padding thus inflicting less damage & next day weigh ins allowing them to cherry pick weight class somewhat. We also have more weight classes now therefore the jumps generally speaking aren't as extreme therefore the size disparity & jeopardy are lowered.

There are many other factors.. 15 rounders were scrapped, there are better recovery methods & medical advancements now & more trinket titles meaning the divisions are diluted.

When I look for greatness I look for men who thrived under the harsher conditions laid out above. Mayweather although a great fighter in his own time moaned about 2lbs versus a young Canelo & aged Pacquiao out i feel too..

Imagine Walker, Greb, Charles, Robinson etc acting like that.. ye hes a multi division champion but did he really face a multitude of diverse opposition & weight disparities? I rate ODH higher. He faced prime fighters, slick fighters & naturally bigger fighter's.

 

This should be an interesting thread.

 

Agreed. The top 5 are set in stone imo. Any order between Greb, Langford, Robinson, Armstrong and Charles.

 

Kinda funny for Jones to be critical of Floyd for not fighting fighters on his level when I would say Floyd fought much better fighters then Roy ever did..........

 

I have Floyd perhaps in my Top 30.No way Top10. so I thought Roy was being gracious there

 

who did Floyd beat who is better than Toney and Hopkins?

 

Not only did Captain Hook whup Toney. He almost shut him out. It was almost an emphatic a win as The Golden Boy's win over Macho Camacho

 

Well its not like he beat the best version of either Toney was weight drained and lethargic Hopkins was inexperienced not yet at his best. But I think the versions of Oscar, Manny, Marquez, Canelo etc that Floyd beat are overall much more impressive wins then the version Jones beat and Floyd beat much more fighters on that level then Jones.

 

Ya can't disagree .. Next 5 would be something like Walker, Pep, Ross, Fitz & Moore maybe ..

 

I think with him and Tarver they just think they'd beat Floyd fairly easy. Even if we're talking P4P its hard for a competitor to subordinate themselves to someone they do not think could beat them. And in RJJs case someone whose probably less accomplished as well.

 

You forgot Bob Hazelton

 

It's an interesting take .... Floyd was an exceptional fighter .. he was at least as brilliant as self promoter and match maker .. to say he's the greatest P4P ever or top five, who knows ? He wasn't the greatest welterweight ever in my book, that's for sure ..

 

I consider them both all time greats. But Mayweather has never been popular among his peers

 

Pacquiao and a Canelo who entered the ring near super middle when Floyd's first title was at 130.