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Now that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has passed his latest test, ending with a devastating knockout of a very determined Ricky Hatton, Floyd must be re-evaluated. It was not long ago, in response to Dios Dominicano's inquiries, that I stated that if Floyd were to stand in and knock out Hatton, then due credit would be given. He did it. There are no legitimate excuses. Even the deplorably biased referee in charge, Joe Cortez, couldn't manufacture a knockout. While Joe Cortez' stern interference will be forever remembered to the detriment of his career, Floyd's performance was so outstanding that it is clear that he didn't need Cortez' help to win this fight. It is ironic.
Floyd showed us that as a welterweight, he has the power and the courage to be something I thought I would never hear myself say...gritty. There's your credit, Dios. Hatton has nothing to be ashamed of. He did move up in weight to take a fight with the number one pound for pound king. The fact that he lost by knockout is a testament to his relentlessness. If he had to lose, then this is the way he should have lost. Now he has the chance to show the world what it means to get off the canvas and come back...something true champions have shown throughout the history of boxing.
Devoted Mayweatherites assume Floyd is already an All Time Great (ATG). I say he is now standing in the doorstep. There is a big difference between being Hall of Fame and being an ATG. The greats, with notable exceptions, usually earn the status by cleaning out their natural divisions. I'm prepared to accept Floyd as an exception because of his undefeated record. Nevertheless, there is another undefeated welterweight champion that must first be dealt with...Miguel Cotto. It just so happens that Cotto, while a few steps behind Floyd, is ****ing on history's door himself. We cannot have two at the same time in the same weight class. There can only be one. Roberto Duran wouldn't stand for it. Ray Leonard wouldn't stand for it. Certainly, Marvin Hagler wouldn't stand for it. From his recent statements, Cotto isn't standing for it. And, most importantly, those who shape public perception won't stand for it either. Mayweather must take a fight with Cotto to fulfill his destiny. That's the reality of the situation.
Could Mayweather go even further and become the next Sugar Ray Robinson? The answer is......YES. Yes, indeed he could. But, it's going to take alot more than what we have now. Status must be earned. I could envision a scenario where Floyd unifies the belts at welterweight and retires undefeated. Under that scenario, I think it's possible for a fighter with less than 50 fights to make a legitimate claim as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). He would certainly be in the discussion.
If Floyd retires at this point, he's leaving on the table a great opportunity to achieve something historical. Money May's career is now getting really interesting. His next decision will show us what he is truly about...money or history. Is he a businessman or is he a warrior?
Floyd showed us that as a welterweight, he has the power and the courage to be something I thought I would never hear myself say...gritty. There's your credit, Dios. Hatton has nothing to be ashamed of. He did move up in weight to take a fight with the number one pound for pound king. The fact that he lost by knockout is a testament to his relentlessness. If he had to lose, then this is the way he should have lost. Now he has the chance to show the world what it means to get off the canvas and come back...something true champions have shown throughout the history of boxing.
Devoted Mayweatherites assume Floyd is already an All Time Great (ATG). I say he is now standing in the doorstep. There is a big difference between being Hall of Fame and being an ATG. The greats, with notable exceptions, usually earn the status by cleaning out their natural divisions. I'm prepared to accept Floyd as an exception because of his undefeated record. Nevertheless, there is another undefeated welterweight champion that must first be dealt with...Miguel Cotto. It just so happens that Cotto, while a few steps behind Floyd, is ****ing on history's door himself. We cannot have two at the same time in the same weight class. There can only be one. Roberto Duran wouldn't stand for it. Ray Leonard wouldn't stand for it. Certainly, Marvin Hagler wouldn't stand for it. From his recent statements, Cotto isn't standing for it. And, most importantly, those who shape public perception won't stand for it either. Mayweather must take a fight with Cotto to fulfill his destiny. That's the reality of the situation.
Could Mayweather go even further and become the next Sugar Ray Robinson? The answer is......YES. Yes, indeed he could. But, it's going to take alot more than what we have now. Status must be earned. I could envision a scenario where Floyd unifies the belts at welterweight and retires undefeated. Under that scenario, I think it's possible for a fighter with less than 50 fights to make a legitimate claim as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). He would certainly be in the discussion.
If Floyd retires at this point, he's leaving on the table a great opportunity to achieve something historical. Money May's career is now getting really interesting. His next decision will show us what he is truly about...money or history. Is he a businessman or is he a warrior?
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