RSS
Home
What does the legacy of Floyd Mayweather tell us?
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Does Floyd's legacy make him an all-time great, or an under-acheiver
One of the most popular arguments debated by fans and experts wishing to smear Floyd Mayweather’s position as an all-time great is that Junior fought a rather low level of competition over the course of his career.
My aim is not sway the reader’s perception of Floyd Mayweather’s status, but to present the facts and have the reader decide if Mayweather has fought the best available opponents.
Well over ten years ago, in October 2008, Floyd earned his first significant victory over veteran Genaro Hernandez as a twenty-one year old super featherweight. At the time Hernandez was considered one of the top fighters in his division.
Following his technical knockout victory over Hernandez, two months later, Floyd beat another top five super featherweight by knockout – the then undefeated Angel Manfredy.
Floyd’s next four fights were against fighters outside of the top ten (Carlos Rios, Justin Juko, Carlos Gerena, and Emmanuel Augustus), there were no fights against top competition again until he dismantled Diego Corrales – taking “Chico’s” undefeated record along the way.
Next for Floyd was another fight and victory against a fighter outside of the top 10, Salvadorian Carlos Hernandez, followed by a victory against a highly ranked Jesus Chavez. This was to be Floyd’s last fight at super featherweight and fights against top-ranked fighters Joel Casamayor or Acelino Freitas never materialized.
At lightweight, Floyd went straight to the best of the division in Jose Luis Castillo. The Julio Cesar Chavez protégée gave Floyd the toughest fight of his career, a fight many believe Floyd lost. In the end, Mayweather received a unanimous decision and gave Castillo an immediate rematch seven months later and took another decision against the Mexican.
The year was now 2003, and Floyd never fought the top lightweights of the time – Juan Lazcano, Stevie Johnston, Paul Spadafora, Acelino Freitas, or Leonard Dorian. Floyd instead fought and defeated marginal competition in Victorino Sosa, and Phillip N’Dou before jumping to junior welterweight.
His first fight as a junior welter was against a legitimate top ten opponent in DeMarcus Corley, a bout Mayweather won by decision. The top junior welterweights in 2004 were Kostya Tszyu, Arturo Gatti, and Sharma Mitchell. Mayweather first fight Henry Bruseles instead, then destroyed a faded Arturo Gatti, and then beat Sharmba Mitchell after he had lost to Kostya Tszyu.
Floyd then jumped up to welterweight leaving behind top opposition Miguel Cotto and Ricky Hatton behind at junior welter.
As welterweight Floyd debuted at a time when Carlos Baldomir, Antonio Margarito, and Zab Judah were the best of the bunch. Floyd did fight and beat Judah, but only after Judah had lost to Baldomir. Following the defeat of Judah, Floyd beat Baldomir.
Instead of sticking around and fighting world class opposition in Miguel Cotto, who was not a welterweight or taking the challenge of Margarito, Floyd went up to fight an aged Oscar De La Hoya in the super welterweight division.
Following the decision victory over De La Hoya, Floyd went back down to welterweight in 2007 to defeat previously undefeated Ricky Hatton. After the Hatton fight, instead of fighting Cotto, Margarito, the new face Paul Williams, or a relocated Shane Mosley, Mayweather decided to retire from the sport.
Of course, Mayweather returned to boxing this past September to fight blown-up lightweight Juan Manuel Marquez in a catch weight fight within the welterweight limits. Floyd was successful in easily defeating the smaller Mexican.
Now, as Floyd waits to see who he can fight next, the obvious opponents would be Paul Williams, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, or Manny Pacquiao at welterweight.
If he fails to fight these men, does Floyd’s legacy, as presented here, make him an all-time great, or an immensely talented fighter who spent the last seven years fighting less than the best?
Listen to R.A. The Rugged Man's takes on Floyd Mayweather, from The Boxing Truth Radio
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
