In a recent press conference, World Boxing Council welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (38-0, 24 KOs) said “I respect what Robinson and Ali did for the sport, but I am the greatest and this is my time.” It’s unclear whether Mayweather, in fact, believes what he says or whether it was done to get more publicity for himself and December 8th bout with Ricky Hatton. However, after watching Hatton-Mayweather 24/7 on HBO, I tend to think Mayweather actually believes that he is the greatest fighter of all time, even though he’s weaved his career and somehow avoided taking on the best fighters in each weight class that he’s competed in.
Certainly, his performance in his last bout, a split decision over the aged Oscar De La Hoya in May 2007, would indicate that Mayweather is far from being the greatest. In fact, Mayweather likely isn’t even the best of the welterweights at this point in time. That would, it seem, belong either to Paul Williams, Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto, all of which Mayweather would find it hard to use his punch and run style with much effectiveness.
It worked against De La Hoya, only because Oscar is essentially only a six-round fighter, and has been since his late 20s. If that wasn’t enough, Mayweather also had the gall to say “I can quit today and be known as the best fighter that ever lived.” After hearing this last statement, I’m trying to picture Mayweather beating a prime Sugar Ray Robinson, a fighter that was a virtual punching machine in his prime.
Not only did Robinson have extraordinary offensive skills, he also had impeccable defensive skills and whose style was the original blue print for Muhammed Ali. Either Mayweather doesn’t know his history very well, having perhaps never seen Robinson fight, or he’s an egomaniac. If that’s the case, he’s going to be in for a big let down should he ever fight Margarito, Cotto or Williams.