By Michael John Tracy: Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr (39-0-0, 25KOs) is without a doubt the most skilled and gifted practitioner of pugilism to enter the ring in years. With his recent, but possibly less then permanent retirement, boxing loyalists are left pondering, the boxing “economy” without “Money”. How will the loss of the Pound-4-Pound preeminent talent affect the sport? Many, boxing authorities view Mayweather’s premature departure as yet another concussive blow in the beating boxing has endured of late. The departure of any boxer in his prime, displaying complete genius in the comprehension of the “Science”, as Mayweather has, is unfortunate. However, Floyd’s departure from boxing may not break the bank, but rather serve to enhance the competition of an open market.
Floyd Jr. is undeniably the embodiment of genius in the world of prizefighting and his prowess will be missed. Through his impenetrable defense, pinpoint accuracy, blinding speed and unparalleled ability to analyze and adapt to his opponent’s style, Mayweather has risen from the ranks to a stature of virtual omnipotence. Exhibitions of pure technical and tactical mastery throughout his career epitomize his manifestation of the “sweet science.” In contrast, he also exemplifies another more dubious characteristic of the sport he has mastered, namely entitlement. The moniker “Money”, which Floyd Jr. has adopted of late, puts a bold stamp on his less then desirable attributes, in contrast to previously exulted champions. The peculiarity of which Floyd is affected, specifically that being his aptitude for self-promotion and matchmaking with bottom line motivation leaves him outside looking in upon the magnanimous fraternity of truly great fighters in history. While his aptitudes, are highly desirable in a promoter, and second tier fighters, these same qualities hinder the path onto which a predominant force should embark. The trail that a prizefighter must tread in order to obtain true greatness is marked with challenges and hardships in the form of elite compeers. Thus the epic conflicts that ensue from clashes between two competitively driven combatants forge a great fighter. Such a path runs contrary to Floyd’s recent encounters. Dominating performances over faintly washed up former champions, De La Hoya, (39-5-0, 30KOs), Judah, (36-5-0, 25KOs) and out classed stylistically overmatched pressure fighters, Ricky Hatton, Carlos Baldomir, (44-11-6, 13KOs), have demonstrated Floyd’s competitive complacency and purse preoccupation. Despite the circumstantial evidence supporting his dominance and superiority over his contemporaries, his last genuinely consequential bout prior to Ricky Hatton (44-1-0, 31KOs) occurred in 2002 against Jose Louis Castillo (56-8-1, 48KOs). Competing in one significant match, every five or so years, does little for boxing as a sport, and even less for a fighter’s historical distinction.
Conventional wisdom may still argue that Mayweather has fought the best available talent—on the surface this seems equitable, but is far from reality. Although there is no denying Mayweather has fought world class talent, in each of his last six fights (five of these were among his career’s highest profile and most lucrative fights) there was an incontrovertible angle in Floyd’s favor. Ricky Hatton for instance, was a legitimate force, but at 140 pounds–not 147 pounds where he looked sluggish and sought to grapple more then punch. With his only legitimately impressive win coming over a war torn Jose Louis Castillo who appeared to be contemplating an extended vacation as he approached the ring. While Hatton came to fight, the contrast in class, speed and even size became evident almost immediately, leaving the only question to be determined through the remaining rounds, the manner in which Mayweather dispatched his foe. The bout with De La Hoya was paltry, since Oscar has not been among the Pound-4-Pound elite for some time, consequently culminating with the endeavor being one of the most grotesque displays of unadulterated capitalism at the expense of furthering the sport. Mayweather continued to demonstrate this unfortunate pattern by scheduling of a rematch with De La Hoya, thus blatantly cheating Boxing out of a revitalizing renewal of a classic clash between pure tactical boxer and a relentless hard hitting boxer puncher ala Hagler vs. Leonard via his refusal to meet the undefeated Miguel Angel Cotto in what would be an authentic contest of pugilistic proficiency. Nonetheless give “Money” credit, he was gifted enough in the ring to substantiate his dominance over his chosen adversaries, and talented and boisterous enough promotionally to sell tickets and Pay-Per-View buys to such transparent predetermined spectacles. As a result when compared to the pick of previous generation namely: Marvelous Marvin Hagler, (62-3-2, 52KOs), Ray Leonard, (36-3-1, 25KOs), Muhammad Ali, (56-5-1, 37KOs), and Sugar Ray Robinson, (173-19-6, 108KOs), Floyd falls short. All of the previously mentioned men strove for greatness through attempting to conquer all legitimate opposition, in stark contrast to Mayweather’s apparent satisfaction in his unsubstantiated standing as Pound-4-Pound King.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is perhaps the only boxer, or sportsman of any kind, who was able to reach the pinnacle of his sport without exhibiting the intangible drive and determination to prove to himself, and everyone else that he was indisputably the apex of his profession. A nefarious distinction, and in correlation with his exhibition of seemingly opposing traits—avoiding competitive clashes in preference towards relatively easy paydays, leaves him superficially lacking character. It is however possible Floyd’s confidence is so exulting, he feels he has no peer, and finds the postulation of testing his mettle against “lesser” opposition for the sake of competition unsavory to his refined pugilistic pallet. Such a train of thought may explain his trademark cool demeanor, laid back defensive fighting style, and ostensible absence of will.
Whatever his authentic cognition, it makes for a poor boxing landscape. Floyd’s reluctance to face bona fide challenging opposition (Miguel Cotto) and his disinclination towards fighting aggressively, has contributed to the less than riveting topography of boxing, in the eyes of the casual fight fan.
Which brings us back to the question, what will be the ramifications of “Money’s” retirement on boxing? There is no definite answer, however the loss of any major draw, in a sport that relies almost exclusively on star power to generate revenue is detrimental. fortunately, the absence of the pugilist formerly known as “Pretty boy” will possibly add weight to the tipping scale of promotional cards, on the side of legitimately substantial and consequential matches. Which may encourage more fights in correlation with the epic pairs of fights featuring Kelly Pavlik, (34-0-0, 30KOs) vs. Jermain Taylor, (27-2-1, 17KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35KOs) vs. Juan Manuel Marquez, (48-4-1, 35KOs), along with the highly anticipated bout of Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito, (36-5-0, 26KOs). All of which featured, or are to feature, fighters of verifiable combative spirit, a trait Floyd Jr. has seemingly lacked of late. Instead, leaving him to direct his concerns towards his coveted crossover appeal via reality television and participation in the fictional conflicts of the WWE, ala Rocky Balboa, (57-23-1) vs. ThunderLips. The subsequent relief from Floyd’s reign will last at least until the next prodigy of exclusive natural ability, wit, and dubious character arrives with a gift for fisticuffs that allows them to write their own ticket and demand their own matchups, to the further detriment of the sport that fostered them.
In short, at this stage in his career Floyd Mayweather Jr. is more of a liability to boxing than an asset— absolutely not for lack of ability but rather for lack of desire to authenticate his self-perpetuated hollow legacy. So step aside Floyd, and make room for genuinely motivated warriors such as; Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, Antonio Margarito, Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Israel Vasquez, (43-4-0, 31KOs) and Kelly Pavlik, all of whom continue to demonstrate the compulsion to legitimize themselves and their legacies through competitive pugilistic challenges. In the end, through Floyd Mayweather Jr’s retirement the loss of his spectacular exhibitions of the craft will be mourned, however his exit will pave the way for younger, poorer, and hungrier fighters to alter the boxing landscape and infuse the sport with renewed competitive sustenance.
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