By B.G.B: The two leading fighters in the world today didn’t get to the position that they are in by facing weak opposition. Fans from both sides slam the others resume in order to establish their man as the true number one.
It seems that at this stage of their careers, fans are only interested in what’s wrong with the opponent rather than what is right. Yes there will always be ‘haters’, but it is the same haters who seem to forget just how much both fighters have achieved throughout a combined career span of 38 years. So who has fought the better opposition?
Floyd Mayweather Jr:
Floyd has won a staggering 10 world titles in 5 different weight divisions since he turned professional in 1996. He won his first world title just two years after his pro debut defeating Genaro Hernandez, whom at the time was ranked the no1 fighter in the world at super featherweight. Hernandez’ only previous loss was against the golden boy himself Oscar Dela Hoya at lightweight. Dela Hoya was younger, heavier and too much for Hernandez at lightweight knocking him out in 6 rounds. After a lay-off, Hernandez returned to super-featherweight to win the WBC world title. His defence against Floyd was unsuccessful with his corner stopping the bout in the 11th. It would be his last fight as a professional. Floyd dominated the super featherweight division and was ranked as ring magazines no7 pound for pound fighter in the world at just 22 years old.
Perhaps the biggest fight of Mayweather’s early career was against Diego Corrales. Corrales was a formidable champion and was undefeated after 33 fights with 27 KO’s. He was ranked as the no1 super featherweight in the world ahead of Mayweather at no2. Floyd dominated Corrales, dropping him three times in the 7th and twice in the 10th, becoming the first man to defeat, knockdown and knockout Corrales.
Two fights after Corrales Floyd would face Jose Luis Castillo in a fight that will never be forgotten by fans and ‘haters’ alike. Castillo was the reigning WBC lightweight champion and was on a 12 fight winning streak (ignoring 1 draw). In what turned out to be a very close fight, Floyd defeated Castillo by a unanimous decision, a decision that is still debated amongst fans today. HBO’s unofficial score card had Castillo winning the bout by 4 points (115-111) little that may mean. With speculation and uncertainty surrounding Floyd’s victory he decided to make amends and gave Castillo a rematch. Floyd won for a second time in another closely contested match-up but the result was less contested. Castillo is widely regarded as one of the best lightweights in recent times, and his fight with Corrales more than justifies that claim. If you haven’t seen it, stop what you’re doing and watch it immediately.
After the Castillo fights Floyd had his eye on the light welterweight division. Before his first fight at light welter with DeMarcus Corley in a world title eliminator, Floyd defeated the iron-fisted Philip Ndou. Although Ndou had never won a major world title he had an outstanding KO % (finished 36wins 33 KOs) and had only lost once before he was beaten by Floyd. Floyd’s first light welter fight was successful winning a UD against Corley, knocking him down in the 8th and 10th rounds. Floyd’s first major test at light welter came against the reigning WBC light welter weight champion Arturo ‘Thunder’ Gatti. Gatti was no match for the skills of Floyd as well as a strange ruling from the referee in the 1st round that gave Floyd a free shot, dropping Gatti to the floor. The tone of the fight was set and Floyd dominated Gatti until the corner stopped the fight. What might have been a tough world title fight for Floyd turned into an easy nights work.
Floyd made the move up in weight after the Gatti fight to take on IBF welter weight champion Zab Judah. This Judah however was a much better fighter than the one that we see today. Judah gave Floyd problems early on in the fight with his quickness and Southpaw stance. However Floyd adapted to Judah and out classed him to win a UD and his first world title at welter weight. Judah was of course coming off a loss to Carlos Baldomir, a fighter who would also lose to Floyd in a unification fight. Despite not having lost for almost 9 years, Baldomir was far too slow to pose any threat to Mayweather.
Mayweather became a 4 weight world champion which set up a mouth watering clash with Oscar Dela Hoya. Oscar was the current WBC light-middleweight champion meaning Floyd would challenge for yet another world title in another weight class. Floyd won by a split decision in a closely contested fight but a rematch never happened. It seems that Oscar is still bitter about the result and is desperate to see Floyd lose.
After beating Oscar, Floyd returned to Welter weight to knockout the undefeated Ricky Hatton. Thinking he had achieved enough, Floyd announced his retirement. Of course the retirement never lasted and Floyd has since gone on to defeat more world champions and maintain his undefeated status. He easily defeated Juan Manuel Marquez in a fight that was perhaps less than memorable and will not tarnish Marques’ own legacy. The size difference was too great for Juan and his style is all wrong for Floyd.
This article is trying to highlight Floyd’s past and why it should never be forgotten as well as his more recent fights which seem to receive mass criticism. Here is lists of what I would say are Floyd’s most impressive victories:
Genaro Hernandez
Diego Corrales
Jose Luis Castillo
Arturo Gatti
Zab Judah
Carlos Baldomir
Oscar Dela Hoya
Ricky Hatton
(Post retirement)
Shane Mosley
Miguel Cotto
Saul Alvarez
Marcos Maidana
Floyd’s more recent fights can be debated as to whether or not they warrant a place on his most memorable victories. Shane Mosley was coming off a knockout victory over Antonio Margarito. Regardless of the circumstances that Margarito was involved with illegal hand wraps before the fight, it was still an impressive victory. Mosley also troubled Floyd early in the fight, meaning Floyd had to adapt and did so very well. However, Mosley’s best years were indeed behind him. Miguel Cotto had never lost at 154 pounds and was the reigning WBC light-middleweight champion after a career best victory avenging his loss to Margarito. Cotto fought well but was ultimately out classed in efficient fashion by Floyd.
Saul Alvarez is perhaps Floyd’s best victory since his retirement. The fact that the PPV buys were so high (second highest of all time) speaks for itself. Many people believed that Alvarez had a very real chance of defeating Floyd due to his size. However the result could not have been more different. Floyd nullified Alvarez’ advantages and totally bamboozled him in the process in the eyes of boxing fans. The hideous drawn score card presented by C J Ross has no place in proper officiating. Alvarez was an undefeated world champion coming off the biggest win of his career but was no match for the skills of Floyd. Maidana was coming off his career best performance annihilating loud mouth Adrien Broner over 12 rounds. Maidana proved he was a strong welter weight in that fight and even more so in the first fight with Floyd. He pushed Floyd harder than anyone had done since his retirement but came up short. After a close first fight, there was demand for a second (unless Pacquiao could happen) and Floyd defeated a prime Marcos more convincingly.
Victor Ortiz, although a world champion when he faced Floyd, is not at the level of Floyds best opponents and the same can be said for Robert Guerrero.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, fans of the sport focus too much on what is bad about Floyd’s next opponent rather than what is difficult. Floyd is 24-0 in world title fights. All fighters pose a threat, and the opposition Floyd has faced throughout his entire career is the reason he is still the pound for pound best fighter in the world.
Part 2 will analyze Manny Pacquiao’s opponents throughout the entirety of his career.
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