By Glen Anglin: No matter what happens in the future, the boxing world should forever recognize the fighting exploits of Floyd Mayweather. PBF has already fought so many good fights against tough competition, that it seems silly to suggest otherwise. He has beaten top competition for many years and has only had a few close fights.

To my mind the only reasonable criticism that can be made of his boxing record is that he fights less often than we boxing fans want. That tends to reduce his visibility and ranking from time to time as other fights and other fighters get talked about more. Other than that, his record speaks for itself. His victories over Castillo (the first one), De La Hoya and Marquez were supreme performances.

Regarding Floyds specific talents, he has fast hands, good reflexes and good technique. But what sets him apart is his surreal ability to avoid getting hit squarely. He holds his right hand high to guard against the left hook, hides his chin behind his left shoulder and rolls to his right again and again. It is a predictable, practiced move, and it works like magic. This was never more obvious than in the Ortiz fight, where I believe Ortiz became unhinged by his frustration at being unable to hit Floyd. Victor’s head butting, smooching, and standing still with his hands down was proof to me that he completely lost his composure due to his inability to hit the defensive master. I have always believed that K. Pavlik should not be called ‘the Ghost’. That nickname should go to Floyd because trying to hit him is like trying to hit a mist in the breeze.

Using his top notch ability to avoid getting hit and fast enough hands to land his share of punches, he has won enough big fights to establish himself as an all time great who would give trouble to any welterweight of any time. I cannot think of any fighter at 147 who ever lived that would be a clear favorite against him. Yes, that includes both Sugar Ray’s. He is just too difficult to hit flush. Along with Ali, V. Klitschko and Pernell Whitaker, he is the best fighter I have ever seen at winning rounds on the judges scorecards. Because he is so good at winning rounds, I don’t believe any fighter alive can take a decision from him. To beat Floyd, you have to knock him out, which seems next to impossible, too.

I believe that his insistence about random, pre-fight blood testing is more of a negotiation ploy than anything else. He has always sought ways to make the other fighter bend to his demands in the negotiating process. Remember how he was able to come in over the weight for his match against Marquez? But, so what? He knows he has the negotiating leverage and he uses it. No shame in that. (By the way, not being an expert about blood and drugs, my question is why wouldn’t a post-fight blood test, as soon as possible after the fighters leave the ring, suffice?)

I care nothing about this pointless debate about P4P rankings. Who cares about a ranking that can never be used for anything other than never ending, insoluble arguments? I concede that his fights sometimes lack action and are too measured and resemble chess matches in shorts. You can also say that his family is a moral train wreck and that he behaves like a complete jackass and I will agree with you. Fine. Say what you want; the man has never lost. What does the actions of Manny Pacquiao or any other fighter have to do with this? Nothing. His boxing legacy is already established and does not depend on what any other human being does or doesn’t do. If he never fights again, he has proven his boxing greatness in the ring.