In the first article, I examined Floyd Mayweather Jr’s campaign at 130 and 135. And while much emphasis is placed on this portion of his career to support his position as today’s current #1 Pound 4 Pound fighter, it is his career at 140, 147, and 154 that is questionable. Now in the conference call, Roger Mayweather made his case of Floyd being the best fighter ever next to Sugar Ray Robinson simply because he has won titles in 5 weight classes, doing so while undefeated. While this may be an impressive feat to some, it was done with methodical calculation going after the weakest possible champions to obtain titles. For example, Floyd moved up from 135 to 140. After avoiding fights at 130 and 135 with the likes of Joel Casamayor and Acelino Frietas , Floyd jumped up in weight to campaign at 140. First up to bat was former WBO 140 titlist Demarcus Corley. This was interesting choice in opponent, being as though he was coming off a loss to Zab Judah. And while Mayweather was able to floor Corley in the 8th and 10th round, chinks were exposed in Floyd’s armor as Corley was able to hurt Floyd. His next opponent was an unknown by the name of Henry Bruseles, someone who had never challenged for a title. The fight ended by TKO in the 8th round.
Next up to bat was Arturo Gatti. And while Gatti was loved by many fans and was best known as the blood and guts warrior, Gatti will never be known as an elite fighter. Going into the fight Gatti had 6 losses. Up until that time, Gatti had lost to Angel Manfredy, Ivan Robinson, Micky Ward, and Oscar De La Hoya. Floyd stated in the press leading up to the fight that Gatti was nothing more than a flat foot C level club fighter. And that was being nice. Mayweather, who has never been known to be a knockout artist, was able to stop Gatti in 6 thus earning his 3rd title. Choosing not to defend his newly earned title against the likes of Vivian Harris, who was the WBA junior welterweight champion for 3 years before losing his title on the undercard, or challenging the recognized linear champion Ricky Hatton, Floyd abandoned the division and moved on to 147 where he challenged a shot Sharmba Mitchell and stopped him with a body shot. Next up was Zab Judah. Now the Judah fight was interesting because although Judah had just lost to Carlos Baldomir making him the recognized linear welterweight champion, the IBF refused to issue Baldomir the belt due to the fact he did not pay the IBF portion of the sanctioning fees. And instead of vacating the title, they handed the belt right back to Zab Judah. This fight took place with Floyd winning by decision after a bizarre turn of events that saw Floyd cleanly get sent to the canvas although the ref ruled it a slip, Zab Judah intentionally hitting Floyd low then rabbit punching him, Uncle Roger entering the ring starting a melee and Floyd not being disqualified as a result. Floyd had then won his 4th “title” only for the press and fan not to acknowledge this accomplishment due to Judah not rightfully deserving the title.
But this time the talent in the welterweight division begin to buzz and the talk of the town was Antonio Margarito. Margarito being promoted by Bob Arum, was being marketed as “the most feared man in boxing”. While laughable, Arum backed up his claim by offering Mayweather a fight for $8,000,000. And although this would have been his biggest payday, Floyd opted out of his contract with Arum by paying him $875k to not have to make that fight. Floyd’s claim for not testing his skills against the dangerous Margarito was not that he didn’t want to jeopardize a potential showdown with the Golden Boy. It’s was met with a simple question “who has he fought?” Many except the diehard Mayweather supporters looked at this with heads tilted. Regardless of who he has or hasn’t fought, there was a career high payday in front of him and not only did he not accept the offer, he paid almost a million dollars to get out of being forced into that fight.
And after Oscar chose to take a year off, Mayweather chose to fight the man who spoiled his showdown with Judah, Carlos Baldomir. While Baldomir was coincidently the welterweight linear champion, he was hardly the fighter fans were clamoring to see Mayweather get in the ring with. And this was evident in the crowd booing and leaving the fight by the 9th round do to Mayweather’s insistence in not engaging Baldomir, instead hitting and running. Another boring performance and his 5th championship. After his 5th title, Floyd landed the goose that laid the golden egg. He was signed to fight Oscar De la Hoya. And while De La Hoya has one of the most impressive resumes ever, he was hardly in his prime. Not to mention the fact that De La Hoya had only fought 6 times in the last 4 years, suffering a TKO at the hands of Bernard Hopkins, losing the decision in a second fight with Shane Mosley, and putting up a miserable performance against Felix Sturm who many believe he got a gift decision. So while it was going to do a lot for his bank account, Floyd was again taking a minimum risk. And while promising to “cold ice” Oscar, Floyd again put on a miserable boring performance by hitting and running the entire fight forcing Oscar to chase him around the ring to try and make him fight. Another title at junior 154. Title number 6.
At this point Mayweather claimed to have “retired” and would only come out of retirement for a rematch with Oscar, De La Hoya has yet to express interest in lining Mayweathers pocket in what would be another uneventful performance. But what happened was interesting because since then, and monster by the name of Miguel Cotto moved up from 140 to win the WBA welterweight title. A destructive puncher by the name of Kermit Cintron KO’d his opponent, a fighter with 26-1 with 25KO’s in the second round to win the IBF welterweight title. And a freak of nature by the name of Paul Williiams out punched Margarito to win the WBO welterweight title. 3 very capable champions. Not to mention future Hall of Famer Shane Mosley all singing like a choir wanting to fight Mayweather. All very skilled and capable enough to give Mayweather the legacy he claims to chase. And what happens? During the interview after Ricky Hatton’s KO of Jose Louis Castillo, Hatton was asked about Mayweather and he said “you’ve seen more action in these 4 rounds then you have seen in Floyd mayweathers entire career”. And while ignoring the cat calls of 4 capable game fighters, all dangerous, Floyd chooses to fight Ricky Hatton at a weight he is certain Hatton is not as effective in based on a previous 1 time campaign against Louis Callazo.
All in all, Roger Mayweathers claim that Floyd Mayweather is the best fighter ever besides the great Sugar Ray Robinson makes him lose all credibility when commenting on his nephew’s career. And for writers to constantly ranking Mayweather as the number 1 fighter in the world while completely playing down the recent accomplishments of Manny Pacquiao is ridiculous.
A closer look at Mayweathers career will expose the fact that while although very talented, he has showcased that talent against the weakest possible opposition. So in short, I look at mayweathers career the same way I would look at a pro-bowl linebacker getting sacks in a pop-warner football game.
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