Floyd detractors spend much type claiming Floyd cherry picked his opponents, so I would like to hear who they all are.
Who are all the contenders that Floyd dodged in his illustrious trip through the bums (Castillo and DLH excluded).
I will start off with the most obvious black hole in Floyd's resume: Kostya Tszyu.
Who else?
Thread bumped to show one of the posters what a real thread looks like.
But, now that you've mentioned it... the thread speaks for itself. Floyd will never go beyond HOF. He dodged Tszyu and now he dodges Pac. He waited until Cotto was dissipated...that fight should have happened years ago. Floyd's crowning achievement to date is his victory over an aging DeLaHoya (admittedly a great win).
A blast from the past
Mayweather and the 5 Bums
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After seeing the incredible allegations of a few Mayweatherites here alleging that the great Jr. Welter Weight Champ Kostya Tszyu ran from Floyd Mayweather, Jr., I was inspired to set the record straight. My findings:
After a truly impressive campaign at 130, Floyd moved to 135 in 2002. The problem began here and it's name was Jose Luis Castillo. After losing to Castillo on everybody's card but the judges' in the first fight, Mayweather used his defensive skills to salvage his reputation in the rematch. After that scare, Mayweather then proceeded to call on the hapless Lovemore N'dou. N'dou unexpectedly proved a stiff test, but Floyd passed it. Bum number one was conquered. Who would the self proclaimed greatest fight next? We were immediately deflated. Sosa was served up like a cold fish on April 19, 2003.
Fully in stride now, Mayweather moved up to Jr. Welter (140), where hall of famer Kostya Tszyu reigned supreme. Instead of calling on Tszyu, Floyd proceeded to feed on a steady diet of bums. On May 22, 2004, it was Demarcus Corley. On January 22, 2005, it was Henry Bruseles. And, on June 25, 2005, Floyd dismantled the last of the 5 bums, the washed up warrior, Arturo Gatti. 5 bums and no Tszyu.
Tszyu fought in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. He was top ten p4p in all those years. He began that period of time as the Jr. Welter Weight unified undisputed champion (the first to do it in 30 years). During the mid portion of that period he held two titles, and finally lost the IBF title to Ricky Hatton in June 2005. He retired after that fight at age 36. During this period, there were no serious inquiries from the Floyd camp about a fight against Tszyu. Cheap talk, no walk.
After initially posting my opinion that it was Floyd that ran, not Tszyu, I became the subject of a veritable deluge of outrage, criticism, and lewd (but somewhat entertaining) invective by certain Mayweatherites on this site. I want to thank each and every foul mouthed one of you. You inspired me to PROVE my opinion with evidence, evidence of which you said was non-existent. Mr. Dios Dominicano and his gang maintain that Tszyu never, I repeat NEVER, made one single statement indicating his desire to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. and thus somehow "ran" from Floyd.
Exhibit #1: KOSTYA TSZYU DENIES DEAL TO FIGHT HATTON
According to a recent report by GRANTLEE KIEZA, Kostya Tszyu has again confirmed there is no deal to fight hard-hitting Englishman Ricky Hatton for $5million. Two weeks ago Tszyu told The Daily Telegraph exclusively that he wasn't fighting Hatton on March 5 in Manchester as the British press had announced and was forced to repeat his position yesterday after reports out of England saying a deal had been made.
Before heading off to his native Russia to collect a major award from President Vladimir Putin, Tszyu said yesterday: "I am not fighting Ricky Hatton in Manchester anytime soon.
"I can't believe Hatton's promoter is still saying I am fighting him because there has been no deal made.
"Right now I am having a holiday for a few weeks and just enjoying time with my wife and kids. When it is time to fight again we will see who is on offer. But I promised my family I would not be training over Christmas so I will certainly not be fighting again by March."
When told that Warren said he had a verbal agreement with Tszyu's American-based promoter Vlad Warton, Tszyu smiled and said: "I decide who I fight, no one else."
Tszyu said he was far more interested in an offer of $10.5 million from American promoter Murad Muhammad to fight WBC champion Arturo Gatti and former world junior-lightweight and lightweight champion Floyd Mayweather.
"I want to fight them both," Tszyu said. "They mean a lot more on the world scene than Ricky Hatton."
12-14-2004
kostya-tszyu-news.newslib.com/story/2381-1113289/
Exhibit #2: KOSTYA TSZYU INTERVIEW
Scoop: Comment on fighting Floyd Mayweather...
Kostya Tszyu: "It would be a great fight. I fought his uncle (Roger-W 12 in '95 in Newcastle, Australia) who's training him now. It would be good to fight him too. I remember after Olympic Games ('96) we were in same room as Bob Arum, he just started his career. I already was world champion. It would be a good, good matchup. If the short time will be able to produce this match, it will be a great fight."
October 25, 2004
www.********boxing.com/news.php?p=2064&more=1
ARGUMENT:
Just as I always said, Tszyu was always open to any top contender at 140, ESPECIALLY Floyd. Floyd simply did not want any piece of Tszyu. Who knows, maybe uncle Roger didn't like the idea?
You will note that Tszyu destroyed Sharmba Mitchell (4 knockdowns and KO in the 3rd) on November 6, 2004. Tszyu remained unsigned and available to take a fight with Floyd for roughly two months after that fight. Mayweather didn't sign to fight Gatti until after January 30, 2005.
Unfortunately for boxing, DURING THIS TIME PERIOD Floyd never muttered a word. Instead of going after one of the greatest 140 champions of modern times, Floyd signed to fight the fifth installment in our gallery of bums, Arturo Gatti. There was no mention of Tszyu. There were no inquiries about getting the fight. There was nothing but a resounding wall of silence. Result? Tszyu signed to fight Ricky Hatton, and the rest is history.
This is evidence. Floyd can talk it up all he wants AFTER the fact. It doesn't matter. The self proclaimed "greatest of all time" skipped out on a real fight of historical proportions against the man.
I present to you, "The Theory of the 5 Bums."
Personally I think it's ludicrous for anyone to claim they 'know' a fighter dodged another fighter. When you factor in all the variables ( promoters, alphabet organizations, differing networks, money split ,etc.) there is no way you can say one ducked the other with complete certainty because one of the aforementioned variables likely played a part in any fight not taking place.
Sometimes fights just can't feasibly be made in todays enviroment and thats just how it is. It's not like the old days, way too many wrenches to throw in the cogs. Plus, why rely on most media outlets? We all know how full of shit most of them are. They just jockey for the big story regardless of its validity.
Until you are part of said negotiations for a fight, and an integral part of the behind the scenes politics, I think its way too presumptuous, with a tad bit of poor judgement, for anyone to claim one fighter ducked the other.
But everything between Castillo and Judah is a black hole in his career. Arum, court troubles, whatever the reason. It's just sad that the best years for his body were spent fighting opposition below his level.
Judah (remember WHEN this was signed), Baldomir, Oscar, Hatton is an excellent sequence.
Everything up to and including Castillo was excellent (I mean, Chicanito after 1 and a half year as a pro... just GREAT).
This is EXACTLY right...............no question. And it constitutes the main source of legitimate criticism of Floyd.
mayweather has fought alot of champs in their prime, so i wouldnt say that at all to be honest. if his record was filled with older champs that would be so, but look at his upcoming fight now, just like diego, hatton is a young in his prime champion, so i think thats an unfair assesment.
But everything between Castillo and Judah is a black hole in his career. Arum, court troubles, whatever the reason. It's just sad that the best years for his body were spent fighting opposition below his level.
Judah (remember WHEN this was signed), Baldomir, Oscar, Hatton is an excellent sequence.
Everything up to and including Castillo was excellent (I mean, Chicanito after 1 and a half year as a pro... just GREAT).
mayweather has fought alot of champs in their prime, so i wouldnt say that at all to be honest. if his record was filled with older champs that would be so, but look at his upcoming fight now, just like diego, hatton is a young in his prime champion, so i think thats an unfair assesment.
After Castillo, we've got 5 bums and then the Oscar, Baldomir fights. So, I would agree with Azteca's assessment. But, back when Floyd was at 130, he was the real deal.
Or it's called "minimizing the risk, with the greatest reward".
mayweather has fought alot of champs in their prime, so i wouldnt say that at all to be honest. if his record was filled with older champs that would be so, but look at his upcoming fight now, just like diego, hatton is a young in his prime champion, so i think thats an unfair assesment.
partly agree, partly disagree
Agreed as to the "all of the extra divisions" statement. They need to simplify this as well as unify the belts into one championship belt.
Disagree as to your refutation of the statement that "all time greats clean out divisions." All time greats do clean out THEIR division. Of course, this doesn't often happen, that's why they're "all time greats." Cleaning out a division doesn't mean beating everybody in that division in the world. But, it does mean beating all the top contenders in that division. Yes indeed it does.
Mayweather cleaned out 130, just as much as Leonard cleaned out 147. If one is an all time great, so is the other.
Rod, if he beats Hatton convincingly, preferably by KO, and not by that chicken run decision crap...I will be the first to give Floyd credit. Mark my words.
But, IMO, I said "IMO", his record will forever have a black hole named Tszyu. No need to go into it all again. You know why I believe this, and I'm not asking you to agree to it. Reasonable minds can differ on this obviously controversial issue.
That is not fact that is OPINION. Keep them biased shits to yourself.
partly agree, partly disagree
Agreed as to the "all of the extra divisions" statement. They need to simplify this as well as unify the belts into one championship belt.
Disagree as to your refutation of the statement that "all time greats clean out divisions." All time greats do clean out THEIR division. Of course, this doesn't often happen, that's why they're "all time greats." Cleaning out a division doesn't mean beating everybody in that division in the world. But, it does mean beating all the top contenders in that division. Yes indeed it does.
You refuted that comment well.
This is a fallacy.
Take Ray Leonard, for example. He is surely an all-time great. On the strength of THREE fights. Period.
Duran 2. Hearns. Hagler.
The modern ATG can't fight everybody. You have 40 fights in your career. The first 20-25 are spent "just getting there". You are 25 years old with 25 fights under your belt. You have 7 or 8 years to have about 15 fights at three different weight classes.
You are not going to fight everyone. That is a reality.
Let's take Miguel Cotto as an example:
He turns 27 years old next week. He has 30 fights under his belt. So far, he has fought Zab Judah and Paulie Malignaggi. Not exactly a Murderer' Row. He has Shane Mosley on his slate. If he wins, he will take another fight in late/spring early summer. Against a top guy. If he loses, he will take a tune-up/stay-active fight before he takes somebody big.
Now, Miguel surely is not a "ducker" or a punk. But he did not "clean up" 140. Cleaning up 147 would mean Mosley/Williams/margarito/mayweather and a young lion like Berto. That isn't happening.
By the time Cotto is 31 or so, he would move up to 154. He would have to beat Powell/Julio/Spinks/whoever.
I'm not making excuses for anybody. I'm merely pointing out the realities of modern boxing. It is a business.
Oscar never fought Winky/Forrest. And he isn't considered "a ducker". Rightfully so.
Shane fought NOBODY at lightweight. He has never cleaned out a division.
Mayweather did great work at 130/135. But he couldn't get everyone.
Blame - in part - all of the extra divisions. Junior thises and Super thats.
partly agree, partly disagree
Agreed as to the "all of the extra divisions" statement. They need to simplify this as well as unify the belts into one championship belt.
Disagree as to your refutation of the statement that "all time greats clean out divisions." All time greats do clean out THEIR division. Of course, this doesn't often happen, that's why they're "all time greats." Cleaning out a division doesn't mean beating everybody in that division in the world. But, it does mean beating all the top contenders in that division. Yes indeed it does.
And thats what he is doing , building , the party aint over yet we dont know what Floyd is going to achieve yet he could be the GOAT , we dont know yet ,, and Floyd is at his career best from here in , why are you guys so hell bent trying to belittle his earlier fights when he has a better resume than most and has done things no other fighter in history has done and he is still undefeated , Floyds resume makes Kostyas look ordinary and Floyd is still building his and KT huggers bag Floyd , how they bag him after he schools Hatton will be a spin if you ever gunna hear one , amazing !
Rod, if he beats Hatton convincingly, preferably by KO, and not by that chicken run decision crap...I will be the first to give Floyd credit. Mark my words.
But, IMO, I said "IMO", his record will forever have a black hole named Tszyu. No need to go into it all again. You know why I believe this, and I'm not asking you to agree to it. Reasonable minds can differ on this obviously controversial issue.
We could talk about who he had a chance to fight and it didn't work out or they ducked him he did this all damn day (his resume have included by now Mosley, Casamayor, Spadafora, Hamed, Hatton, AND Winky Wright but not all great fights can be made) , at the end of the day he still has a solid resume and he is STILL adding names to it.
No....because you don't have the wherewithall to even make sane arguments. You just act like a frustrated 15 year old kid. Is that what you are?
:tapedshut :tapedshut :bottle:
:bryce: I'm having fun laughing at your dumbass. Go ahead get stated
No....because you don't have the wherewithall to even make sane arguments. You just act like a frustrated 15 year old kid. Is that what you are?
.....lol....so much hostility says something in itself. Let it die, before I decide to get back on my bandwagon....and the "five bum theory" is a very interesting bandwagon.. C'mon shitheads. Start me up!
:bryce: I'm having fun laughing at your dumbass. Go ahead get stated