Fighters Often Said Floyd Mayweather Jr. “Avoided” — With Real Context 1. Antonio Margarito (147 lbs, mid-2000s) Why people say he avoided him: Margarito publicly confronted Floyd in 2006, and Top Rank reportedly offered Floyd $8 million for the fight. Floyd declined and bought out his contract. Context: Floyd was trying to secure fights with De La Hoya and Hatton, which were much bigger financial and legacy fights. Also, Margarito was later caught with illegal hand wraps — which made many retroactively dismiss the “duck.” Verdict: Not a real duck, more business strategy. --- 2. Paul Williams (147–154 lbs, 2007–2009) Why people mention him: Williams was a nightmare stylistically — tall, rangy, insane output. People argue Floyd didn’t want the risk. Context: Williams was inconsistent, losing to Quintana, moving between divisions, and not staying in one place long enough to build a massive event. The timing never lined up cleanly. Verdict: This might be the closest thing to a stylistic avoidance, but still debatable. --- 3. Prime Manny Pacquiao (2009–2012 window) Why people say it: The fight happened in 2015, when both were older. Many argue Floyd waited for Pacquiao to slow down. Context: Negotiations did happen in 2009–10, and the fight fell apart because Pacquiao refused Olympic-style testing at the time. Both sides share blame. Verdict: Delayed fight, not a duck. --- 4. Kostya Tszyu (140 lbs) Why this comes up: Tszyu ruled 140 in the early 2000s. Some argue Floyd should’ve fought him in that brief overlap. Context: Floyd fought at 130–135 during Tszyu’s prime. By the time Floyd reached 140 (2004–05), Tszyu was injured and then retired after losing to Hatton. Verdict: No real overlap — timing mismatch. --- 5. Shane Mosley (2000–2001 prime window) Accusation: Mosley said Floyd avoided him early on. Context: Mosley moved to 154 for De La Hoya, while Floyd was at 130–135. They fought in 2010, when Mosley was older — but Mosley literally walked away from negotiations multiple times earlier because of bigger paydays elsewhere. Verdict: Simply different weight trajectories. --- 6. Miguel Cotto (2005–2008 at 140–147 lbs) Claim: Cotto was unbeaten and dangerous at the time, and fans say Floyd didn't go after him then. Context: Cotto was with Top Rank; Floyd had left Top Rank. Arum didn’t want to risk Cotto against Floyd. They fought later (2012), and Floyd beat him clearly. Verdict: Promotional politics, not avoidance. --- 7. Winky Wright (154 lbs) Why people mention him: Winky called Floyd out after beating Trinidad, and fans say Floyd avoided a defensive southpaw technician. Context: Wright was a huge 154-lb fighter who often came into the ring above 170. Negotiations began but fell apart because Wright’s team wouldn’t agree to weight or purse terms. Verdict: A business dead-end, not a duck. --- 8. Prime Oscar De La Hoya (early 2000s) Some critics say Floyd waited until Oscar was faded. Context: Oscar was fighting at 154 and then 160 while Floyd was at lightweight. They only naturally aligned in 2007, and Oscar was still competitive (many scored it close). Verdict: Different weight classes — not a duck. --- So Who Did Floyd Actually Avoid? If you had to pick the most credible answers, they are: 1. Paul Williams — stylistically the toughest and the least politically complicated. 2. Antonio Margarito — optics looked bad even if the business rationale was logical. Nobody else can be reasonably called a duck. --- Short, Conclusive Answer Floyd did not clearly “duck” anyone, but the closest cases fans point to are Paul Williams and Margarito, with secondary mentions of Pacquiao (timing), Cotto (promoters), Mosley (weight), Wright (size), and Tszyu (no overlap).
Floyd Clearly and Shamelessly Ducked Pacquiao for 3-5 Years, INSISTING On Unheard of (@ the Time) PED Testing Measures...Even w/That, Floyd ONLY Fought Pacquaio AFTER Marquez KO'ed Him 1st... AND Floyd Took Illegal Hand Injections Prior to the Pac Fight and Others... Few Fighters in History Have Been as SPOOKED as Floyd Mayweather was by Manny Pacquiao... REED
He definitely ducked Pacquiao for years. And he could have absolutely fought one of Margarito, Williams, or Cotto in 2008 instead of “retiring” and going into his self preservation phase.
Didnt he lifted the drug testing clause for their match? Another indication that it was a bullshit excuse. The Williams and Margarito ducks by retiring was also shameful
Poor Floyd. We alllll hate on him on here. Makes you wish Stafford was still here so it wouldn't be so one sided
the one guy he truly ducked was stevie johnston. fight was offered many times, both with top rank. he simply was spooked by southpaws back then and thought they were trying to get him beat.
In a Sport RIFE w/Thugs, Thieves, Hooligans, Murderers, Rapists, Molesters, etc., Floyd Mayweather is Probably the Most DISLIKED Great Fighter of All Time... ...and Deservedly So... REED
It's hilarious. ask the dude a question about Castillo after he just heard you say his name properly and then mispronounces it multiple times in his answer. Then ellerbe chimes in parroting the pronunciation. First time I heard this was casamayor Freitas post fight conf when it was proposed he face Castillo and he was very dismissive of the guy like it was gonna be an easy fight But really, his ducking of Johnston was prior to that point in time. Offered the fight several times and refused for same or better money than he got for the actual foes at that time
I think Floyd's abuse of bargaining power makes his alleged ducking look tame. Weigh this,weigh that, stand over there, fall when I tell you, your mom can't watch, your cornerman stays in the dressing room, etc .
Pacquauo started all the bullshit with weight when he fought delahoya at 147, a weight the guy hadnt boiled down to in over 7 years
Lool Such bullshit. DLH was by far the bigger name and the A side at that time. He's the one that made ir a 147 fight cause he wanted to make it look like a competitive matchup
I actually remember hearing about the Stevie duck too at the time, hence me quoting your post. In fairness though, Floyd took on the guy who beat him (and yes I thought he lost). Mayweather definitely avoided Pacquiao. In 2010 that fight would have been our generation's Leonard-Duran I, instead we got Leonard-Duran III.
