By Ken Wills: I think in every sport we respect those athletes from the past more than we appreciate those in the present. When I say greatest of all time [G.O.A.T]
I am strictly speaking under 160lbs. Before researching and just paying respect to the boxers of the 70’s and 80’s, I would have put Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler and Julio Chavez above Floyd Mayweather Jr. So let’s get to it, no fan boy just facts.
Robert Duran: In his five biggest fights against Leonard, Hagler and Hearns, Duran had 1 win and 4 losses. Hearns: In his 4 biggest fights against Leonard, Hagler and Duran had 1 win 3 losses and 1 draw. Hagler: fought against Hearns, Duran and Leonard once each and had 2 wins and 1 loss. Leonard: had 4 wins 1 loss and 1 draw. Chavez: while he had an amazing record of 107 and 6 with 86 knockouts his three biggest fights was against De la Hoya and Whitaker losing twice to Oscar and a draw with Whitaker. De la Hoya: his biggest fights were against Shane Mosley, Chavez, Bernard Hopkins, Mayweather, Felix Trinidad and Manny Pacquiao. His record was 2 wins 6 losses. These greats also have losses against lesser opponents some avenged some not.
Floyd Mayweather Jr: his biggest fights came against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, Mosley, Marquez and De la Hoya, 5 wins no losses. (Notice no mention of Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Ricky Hatton, Zab Judah, Arturo Gatti, Willie Pep and Genaro Hernandez) all tough fights as well. Night after night Floyd Mayweather has found a way to win against every great fighter in his career. No fighter listed can say the same. Understandably his out of the ring actions and even his cocky “Money Mayweather” persona turns a lot of people off. I get it, but also understand the fact that a man that is mostly known for defense and not his power meaning he will have to be close to perfect for 12 rounds every fight has done so for the last 18 years and counting. Understand that no one has done what he has and maybe never will. I believe Mayweather does not want to fight Manny Pacquiao because he finds it disrespectful that he is not already considered the greatest without fighting a guy who has 5 losses 2 draws and 3 of the losses by knockout.
I can already see the comments that usually come with an article that has anything good to say about Mayweather. I welcome anyone who disagrees but please keep it about the facts and about boxing. If the fight between Manny and Floyd is ever made and Mayweather wins I don’t think there is anyone who can disagree with the fact that he is the best we have seen in our lifetime as far as preparation and a word that is used more in other sports clutch. This is not a team sport so every second in the boxing ring you need to be clutch and Mayweather has done so for 18 years and counting. When you’re talking about getting in a ring taking away what your opponent does best finding a way to win not most nights but every night no one has done it better. I’m sure you can come up with more exciting risk taking brawling fighters but I challenge you to name a fighter you would bet your house on to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a prize fight.
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