By Charlie Knoxville
Floyd Mayweather calls himself “The Best Ever”, but is he really the best if he isn’t taking on challenges like the greats of old?
The fighter of the decade Manny Pacquiao went up 8 weight divisions, he could’ve had two more belts making him a 10 division champion but he skipped the 115 and 118 weight classes and moved straight to the 122 pound super bantamweight division. Pacquiao proved his greatness and willingness to go up to take on challenges outside of his division. He is flawed, with several losses by knockout yet he still has love from boxing fans around the world because when he fights he gives his all in the ring to give the fans a good show.
The moniker of “The Best Ever” or TBE is something Mayweather calls himself. No unbiased and legit boxing historian would ever consider him TBE, when his record might be flawless he doesn’t have the type of resume or accolades of All Time Great fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard.
The only way for Floyd Mayweather to one up the legendary Manny Pacquiao is to fight for a title in the middleweight division and defend it at least once against a mandatory challenger. Miguel Cotto recently proved his greatness by going up to the division and beating the lineal champion Sergio Martinez by stoppage. Martinez might’ve been a shell of himself but at least Cotto went up to challenge him when Mayweather turned a blind eye anytime Martinez name was mentioned as a possible foe. Miguel Cotto gets respect because he has fought everyone and never ducks, he fought a prime Antonio Margarito, prime Manny Pacquiao, Sugar Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather, and Sergio Martinez.
In order to be on the level of a Sugar Ray Robinson or Muhammad Ali, you have to prove yourself in the ring not just talk about it, you can’t say I’m the best ever and expect people with intelligence to believe it when you haven’t fought the dangerous opponents. Save that loud braggadocios behavior for the gullible suckers who worship you like a King and take your word for everything. Fight the best when they are at their best. Don’t hand pick opponents and than take away their strengths to basically handicap them in the ring to your advantage like when he weight drained Canelo Alvarez after discrediting Manny Pacquiao’s win over Miguel Cotto for having it at a catchweight. That makes you look like a hypocrite or a person who feels they are entitled to do as they please and can criticize others but nobody can criticize them.
Boxing isn’t about being undefeated, its about testing yourself against the best win, lose or draw. The real fight fans respect those who give it there all and challenge themselves against the toughest opposition available.
Right now Floyd Mayweather is only “The Best Ever” in his own mind, because he talks a big game, but never fights the threats when the fans want it. The only way he can make up for never fighting Manny Pacquiao in his prime is to fight champion Gennady Golovkin for the middleweight title should he beat Daniel Geale on Saturday night. This would be the equivalent to an aging Muhammad Ali taking on the dangerous undefeated George Foreman in Zaire. Ali talked a big game but he backed it up by fighting the scary guys like Sonny Liston and George Foreman without telling them they couldn’t wear a certain type of glove.
The sad reality for boxing fans is the Golovkin fight will never happen because Floyd has said numerous times he doesn’t fight for the fans because his health and family come first. The chances of a Mayweather vs. Golovkin fight happening are as good as a cow flying over the moon.
I am an avid fan of boxing and video games. My first fight of memory was watching Prince Naseem Hamed destroy Kevin Kelly. I enjoy all aspects of the sport. My favorite current boxer is Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. My favorite boxing match is Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo 1. I love watching boxing on Pay-Per-View more than being there live because you can really enjoy and watch the action from the best view.