Between the continued blog wars of overwhelming speculation between the Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr predictions, I usually have wanted to stay clear of both names, figuring fans have read enough on the subject, with a full understanding that the fight will never take place. However, recently a piece was written, stating Mayweather’s dominance, and comparisons to both Sugar Ray Leonard, and Robinson to the talent of Mayweather. The article was very intriguing, and I found myself really enjoying the majority of the writer’s piece.
With the Mayweather of today, I truly see him as beatable. Unfortunately, we as fans are blinded by the fact that we are being convinced that a decent sparring partner is worth digging into our pocket books, shoveling a mere $75.00 per fight. But as the numbers are showing, the fans seem to be catching on. That being said, I truly find difficulty measuring a fighters greatness based off of a resume Mayweather has provided over the last 5 or 6 years.
Yes, talent is based off of skill, but also when comparing the gifted skill, in consideration of the limited skills of the individual standing across the ring. Yes, most of the opposition carried a decent record, but looking back, so did Mcneely, when fighting Mike Tyson. Not one of us truly felt Tyson would lose against him, but the excitement of Tyson’s comeback had us all wondering what round he was going to connect with that feared explosive power, that made him such an attraction when dominating the 1980’s.
With the likes of an aged Oscar De la Hoya, an old Shane Mosley, Victor Ortiz, Robert Guerrero, a plump (at the time) Juan Manuel Marquez, an inexperienced Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, a small Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and even most recently Marcos Maidana, it is truly difficult to measure the true talent of Floyds greatness.
Granted, I have been one of the many who has paid for the majority of these fights. But after the continued feeling of being taken by a smooth used car salesman shortly after driving off, I am going to stop the funding now.
Cotto today would be somewhat of a threat, due to the rejuvenated career that his trainer Freddie Roach has created for him. But leading to the fight against Mayweather, one would be in complete denial if they felt Cotto was walking in with the same dominance he possessed, prior to head butting concrete for multiple rounds back in 2008. But now, Roach has created a completely different Cotto, and I actually believe it would be much more of a challenge for Floyd, which based off of recent years, a rematch is highly unlikely.
Canelo may provide a greater challenge if given another shot, assuming he gets through his July 12th fight against Erislandy Lara. Canelo provided great skills in his match against Mayweather, but fighting the likes of Kermit Cintron, Mosley, Josesito Lopez, and Austin Trout, it was difficult picturing Canelo beating Mayweather.
As of today I really believe that Mayweather’s skills have diminished. The 2005 version of Floyd would have completely dominated Marcos Maidana in the same fashion as he did during his destruction of the late Arturo Gatti.
De La Hoya made a close fight with Floyd back in 2007. Some even believed De La Hoya had done enough to win, yet Oscar was an aged veteran by this time in holding a 2-2 record over the course of the 4 years leading to the Mayweather. De La Hoya had retired in between fights. The writer I had referenced in the beginning of my piece felt Floyd would have dominated a prime De La Hoya. Granted, it is all speculation, but if the old Oscar did so well in 2007, I believe the young hungry Oscar would have completely destroyed Mayweather.
I don’t think Floyd would continue his undefeated streak if his list consisted of Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, or even the improved Cotto. But with the ability to select your own fights, I don’t see Floyd closing out with a bang.
Nor do I hold Floyd as the best in the world currently boxing. Maybe at a time, but definitely not at this moment.
Floyd is undoubtedly the greatest business man this sport has ever witnessed, which in a sense, I cannot blame him. As a fan of the sport, I don’t like his ability to pick and choose. But as anyone with a successful business will proudly admit, it is always smart to protect your investments. And having a solid salesman is key, when selling a product, Floyd is the best at both. He has the canny ability to promote his own stage, no matter the competition, and the majority of his investments are about as risk free as they can possibly come. Love him, or hate him, you have to ask yourself what you would do. If any of you were fortunate enough to win the lottery, would you continue to work hard, risk your health, and continue these hard working efforts until the age of 65? Call me what you will, but if I hit the big one, my final working 9 to 5 gig, would be shortened by a quick retirement phone call to my soon to be ex employer, and I would focus on enjoying life to the fullest by spending as much time with my family as possible. And like Floyd, I would not lose a minute of sleep if someone in the world did not like my decisions.
Not one person can please the entire world, but if you have found the ability to have the world in the palm of your hand, what would you do?
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