By Rob Blakeman: This article is written in reply to the 6th June article written by ‘Puncher’s Chance’ and posted on this website entitled “Mayweather Jr isn’t as good as people think”. Firstly, this is a bit of an insult to all of “The People” who think Mayweather is brilliant, of which I am one; we’re all wrong apparently! Further on in the article he compares Floyd unfavourably with Sugars’ Leonard and Robinson, and mixes this crass analysis with several other disparaging remarks. Like every other writer here I am not doing this purely to be objective but for my opinions to which we are all entitled. However, that being said, there still are objective criteria that we can use in order to establish how proficient a fighter is in actuality. These include the particular fighter’s record (Mayweather is still unbeaten) measured against who they have fought, how many of these men were champions or former champions etc, etc. This does not and should not be applied to making comparisons with other greats as there is no way to substantiate with any accuracy that this guy was better than that guy when they are perhaps separated by a generation or more. Advances in nutrition and training techniques also mean today’s fighters can move between weight classes much easier than say fighters 20 or 30 years ago. In the final analysis however, this kind of comparison of great fighters is particularly unsettling to the stomach of all who have participated in professional sports because most often they are written by individuals who have achieved nothing in competitive sports and indeed many of them have never seen the inside of a gymnasium.
Having worked with several World Champions in several sports I know personally how difficult it is to win even one World title in boxing let alone several titles in different weight classes. To win World honours in 3 or more weight divisions in boxing in any era is exceptional so to then be comparing these men is akin to comparing Picasso with DaVinci or Churchill with Eisenhower. It’s asinine at best. Moreover, it’s deeply disrespectful of boxing critics who write these types of articles, many of whom have never taken a punch in their lives. In the case of ‘Puncher’s Chance’ we don’t know who he is so we don’t know what is achievements are in boxing but I suspect he may have no experience of Professional boxing at all. If he had he would probably realize just how totally inappropriate it is for someone such as he, to deign to comment on the careers of such illustrious fighters as Leonard, Mayweather and Robinson in a negative and unconstructive fashion. This unfortunately is the world we live in. Reality TV shows are making celebrities out of none achievers every day. We inhabit a world that hosts and celebrates people who are famous for being famous and thus creating a culture that loses respect for the real achievers in life. Look how quickly the ignorant and ill informed have jumped on the attack of the great Manny Pacquiao in light of his recent defeat: “He’s overhyped, he’s shot and he’s a phony” etc, etc.
Completely negating his incredible record and outstanding performances against some much bigger men and dispatching the majority of his opponents with ruthless efficiency. Indeed he was having the fight of his life in the recent Marquez battle right until the bitter end. He had got up from a knockdown, scored an equalizing knockdown in return and was himself on the verge of a stoppage win until a moment’s loss of concentration-means of course, he’s rubbish, boooooh!! Get off Loser!!
These writers and detractors remind me of the so called ‘fans’ of Premier league Soccer Clubs who get up from their seat and leave the stadium midway through the second half if their team is 2 or 3 goals down. Who are these people who claim to be ardent supporters of a club and yet leave just at the time that their support is most needed by the team they claim to love?
Ignorance is bliss so the saying goes but that’s not the case for those of us who must listen to the ignorant. So please, fellow writers and fans, consider carefully before criticizing men far better than you or I could ever be, in the toughest sport in the world. And remember the next time you read one of these critical articles; the booing always come from the cheap seats!
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