Mayweather: I will be known as the best ever when I leave

By Boxing News - 04/21/2014 - Comments

floyd6000By Chris Williams: Floyd Mayweather Jr. (45-0, 26 KO’s) revealed to a nationwide audience last Saturday night of what he hopes to accomplish with his career when he eventually retires from the sport at some point. Mayweather wants to be known as the best ever when he leaves the sport unbeaten at 50-0, and it doesn’t look like there’s anything going to stop the talented star from accomplishing his goal.

At 37, Mayweather is fighting like someone 10 years younger, and quite possible that he can fight another 10 years like Bernard Hopkins if he so chooses. One can only imagine what Mayweather would accomplish if he fought for another 10 years and retired undefeated at 47 with a net worth of close to $1 billion. It’s unreal to think about the things that Mayweather can accomplish if he wants.

“Is it about the money? Absolutely. Is it about the fame? Absolutely. It’s everything wrapped into one,” Mayweather said on Showtime’s ALL ACCESS: Mayweather-Maidana last Saturday night. “I want to be the best. Not just the best fighter but I want to be the best athlete, period. When I leave, I will be known as ‘TBE’ and that’s the best ever.”

The greats like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson were both beaten many times during their careers, because as good as they were, they didn’t have Mayweather’s defensive skills. That was a key difference that kept those two from fighting on the same level that Mayweather has fought during his career. They both had amazing skills, don’t get me wrong. But they didn’t have the defense to escape taking punishing blows during their careers.

In looking at the top welterweights and junior middleweights, there are a number of high quality fighters that will give Mayweather some good contests, such as Erislandy Lara, Amir Khan and Shawn Porter. Those are three good fights out there for Mayweather in the future, but I don’t give any of them a chance to beat Mayweather. He’s on another level right now, and those guys have a long ways to go before they can get to where he is right now.

Maidana hopes to be the one that gives Mayweather his first defeat. A win for Maidana will bring him massive amount of money and will bring him fame. It would be Maidana’s 15 minutes of fame. It’s hard to picture Maidana accomplishing that task, but if he can it will be his moment in the sun.



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