Quickly, name the top five boxers of all-time in your opinion!
Would Floyd Mayweather make your standards?
Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor fighting in a boxing match is one of the hot sports topics in recent memory. But as in majority of previous the older Mayweather fight negotiations, a haggle in the fight purse split occurred, and as usual, Mayweather wants to share a big chunk on the money at stake.
Along this line, he insists he should be on the “A” side for him to come out of retirement and take on the undoubtedly main draw of the mixed martial arts universe in a boxing match. Floyd always stated that there is nobody greater than him in any match-ups.
For a long time, boxing enthusiasts were wondering why does Mayweather will always insists on taking a substantially higher portion of the purse no matter who the opponent is and who subsequently avoid accepting the fight if he does not get what he wants.
A clearer answer was given by Mayweather in recent interviews with the American media. He was asked again questions on who the greatest fighter of all-time is and he. Like in earlier interviews, had no qualms saying he is. This time around, he gave some explanations why.
His stance is nobody greater than him, Muhammad Ali and Rocky Marciano included, because he performed well inside the ring, took care of his health, made lots of dollars of out his fights, and invested them wisely.
Well, determination on who is the greatest at something will always be debatable because they are dependent on what criteria to be used and mainly subjective even with the establishment of the criteria.
If Mayweather’s criteria are what one uses to determine who the greatest boxer of all-time is, this writer agrees he would be the best.
His ring exploits are second to none, tied with Marciano all-time. Both men never lost in 49 fights. Marciano had a better knockout ratio, 43-26. Floyd, though, won 9 major titles during his reign in five weight divisions (Marciano was considered the universal heavyweight champion during his time). Floyd also became a world champion at his 18th fight while Marciano captured the title only at his 43rd fight. It’s arguably Mayweather over Marciano in this category.
Mayweather’s mentality of not being hit is also unprecedented. His winning is more due to the inability of his opponents to hit him rather than him hitting opponents. Nobody can match his fighting style that is geared to protect his well-being. When one looks at the also self-proclaimed “Greatest” Ali post-boxing career, it was a pitiful sight, with the control of his mobility stolen by Parkinson’s Disease due to the hits he absorbed.
What is even more baffling is Mayweather’s ability to maintain his crowd-drawing knack despite of his commonly perceived boring, defensive fighting style. “Pretty Boy” clearly owns this category.
Mayweather’s ring earnings are also unmatched. According to MSN Money’s Boxing’s biggest earners of all time, Mayweather raked $700M during his career where the figures are adjusted for inflation. Nobody’s close to him. Trailing him, albeit very far, are Manny Pacquiao at $500M, and Mike Tyson with $400M.
In terms of overall wealth, multiple articles devoted to wealth of boxers, or even athletes, will confirm the success of “Money”. An early 2016 article by richestlifestyle.com pegged Mayweather’s networth at $400M, ahead of George Foreman’s $250M, and Pcquiao and Oscar De La Hoya’s $200M.
Is “Money” Mayweather the greatest using his criteria? Absolutely. He is one very wealthy “Pretty Boy”.
BY: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS.
