http://fightbeat.com/article_detail.php?AT=149 thankfully I found some of my old stuff. Tlhis piece I think is fitting given the events of the past months since. by: Aaron Jones Even God has critics. So it comes as no surprise that the best fighters in the world are criticized constantly. Oscar De La Hoya caught flack for his Tour De France imitation as the Trinidad fight came to a close. Roy Jones Jr. was mocked for fighting sanitation engineers. Before that, people said young Cassius Clay was too scrawny and brash to win the world’s Heavyweight championship. And now, it’s Floyd Mayweather’s turn. Perhaps it’s the swagger and piety in his steps, maybe people don’t like how he embarrasses their favorite fighter, or is it plain jealousy? For whatever reason, it’s time someone spoke up in defense for once, rather than bash him. First and Foremost, he is clearly the most talented fighter of our time. The deepest haters do not deny it, instead they harp on his opposition. Well let’s do a rundown of his resume before the age of 30, and see how it stacks up. As a super featherweight, he didn’t beat people, he destroyed them. He earned recognition early on by embarrassing guys like Genaro Hernandez, Carlos “El Famoso” Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, and Diego Corrales. Still in the shadows of other great fighters, he moved up to take on Jose Luis Castillo. Two close but clear decision wins later, he could no longer be ignored. His exploits brought him further and further up in weight, garnering titles in three divisions. This achievement, coupled with the fighters above him falling off the radar, and Floyd became the (nearly) undisputed best fighter in the world pound for pound. That moment was two years ago, the aura is wearing off. Since he is following Roy Jones Jr., there is concern he will take the path of least resistance to remain at the top. But let us not go out of our way to attack each opponent he signs to fight. In Spring of 2004, Mayweather set his sights on the junior welterweight division, keen on getting his third world title. In his first fight at 140 he took on Demarcus Corley, who was coming off a close loss to Zab Judah . Despite being ranked in the top 10 by everyone Floyd was hounded for this choice. He responded by surviving a scare in the 4<SUP>th</SUP> to shut out and dominate the rest of the contest. Afterwards people talked about how he had been stunned by a well placed counter. It didn’t seem to matter that he had responded by knocking down Corley twice and winning 119-107 on the cards. Unphased, Floyd put the 4<SUP>th</SUP> round with Corley behind him, and sought a super fight with Arturo “Thunder” Gatti. At the time, Arturo had been on a tear. Fresh off picking up new trainer Buddy McGirt, the “Blood and Guts warrior” had dispatched his last five opponents and picked up momentum. The drama ended when the opening bell sounded. The humiliation Floyd dished out was absolute. Not only did he knock Gatti down, but in six of the most lop-sided rounds you’ll ever see, Mayweather battered him from pillar to post. Mercifully, Gatti’s corner threw in the towel and ended the carnage. For the doubters, this performance meant nothing. Floyd was supposed to win, so what difference did it make how impressive he appeared. The important thing became a question of when he would fight the recognized champion, rather than a mere beltholder. A little over a year later, the trend continues. Because talks with Ricky Hatton and Kostya Tszyu never panned out, it is Mayweather’s fault. He’s to blame for fighting current/former champions Gatti, Mitchell, and Judah in past 15 months. Excuse me, but when he serious talks emerged to fight Zab Judah , Zab was the undisputed welterweight champion of the world. So why is Mayweather still catching so much heat? Recently there was word Floyd would move up to 154lbs to take on Cory Spinks, a former undisputed welterweight champion. Pandemonium ensued, with people furious at this decision. Imagine, criticism for moving up to a 5<SUP>th</SUP> weight class to take on a champion. Deservingly, the bar is set higher for some, but this reaction was unreal. As usual Floyd took it in stride, and is now set to fight Carlos Baldomir, the recognized lineal Welterweight champion of the world. After he adds Baldomir to his list of victims, what will the critics say?
I thought he was the "god" of boxing after Gatti. His talent level is just obscene. Since then he's moved up to a 4th and 5th division to decisivey beat solid-all time great fighters. I hope he fights Taylor and wins the 160lb title
After dispatching Gatti, I thought 'why am I wasting my time watching a super-fast talent like Mayweather bashing up a slow, shot warrior like Gatti'? :dunno: Does anyone think he can deal with Taylor?
Floyd looked just ok beating a top 5-10 154 Iber....the hero worship in this thread is embarassing, get a grip mate
well IMO Baldomir is solid, Judah is solid, and now DLH an all-time great. ready to eat crow for yet another bad pick?
I see. I thought you meant solid all-time greats all in one. DLH being an all-time great is QUITE debatable but I won't go there with you.
im 7 for 7 since i called out the NYers:nono: I'm the most unlucky human in the universe, i only pick fights with people i know and see a clear winner for...
I believe I have heard you refer to Gatti as a "glorified club fighter" a "B" class fighter at best. But in your article, you praise Floyd for fighting and destroying him. "Gatti had been on a tear":laughing: against who Ward? You should write for the next Democratic Presidential Candidate. I love how you make out that fighting Mitchell was a great accomplishment over a former world title holder:laughing: That shit is good. Oh and the Corley reference is sweet too! The sad thing is, since he left 135 that's all you had to write about.:nono:
Yeah, Floyd has disappointed since he moved up to 140. Can't really blame him - he saw a whole bunch of guys with lesser talent making way more money. So he went in that direction. But he fought next to no one at 140 and did little at 147.
frankly this looks little like the first draft, and to get it put up back in the day someone fluffed up those kinds of things....no matter. Floyd is a monster
This is a nice way of saying "I really had nothing to give any credit to Floyd after leaving 135 so I fluffed up an article by boosting up all the average fighters he destroyed" I think Floyd is a great boxer. A monster goes for the KO.:nono:
:: touche. As much as I will always say Gatti was an F- fighter, there was alot of demand for that fight, and Floyd beat him fierce. Judah, Baldomir, now DLH, so as an update id say hes done much since people went apeshit for a few year stretch of bad opposition
Actually, I think he's done less. At 130 he was incredible. Same for 135 - in fact, I thought he performed VERY well against Castillo BOTH times. At 140...ugh. At 147, he managed to get away with fighting the winner AND loser of Judah-Baldomir. Oh, and Sharmba Mitchell too. Very disappointing :nono:
