Why doesn't Floyd fight everybody? Let's break this down.

[Mickey Gomez]

Floyd Mayweather Jr is probably the most gifted and skillful fighter of his generation but note how I had to use the word "probably". His skills are beyond repute, his resume however, is not.

I'm a Floyd fan. I like watching him fight, I don't go for the "not entertaining" cliche that casual boxing fans have labeled him with, his defense is a thing of beauty and he punches with incredible speed and accuracy. But like most realistic Floyd fans I house some regret.

I regret the fights that Floyd hasn't taken, I have no doubt in my mind that he would have beaten Barrera, Morales, Margarito, Cotto, Mosley or even Paul Williams but as often happens my opinion is instantly countered with the "He never fought them so we'll never know".

I've heard Floyd speak on this many times, he has a reason or an answer for each fighter he never faced but surely the best answer to the question "Are you better than Margarito?" is "I beat Margarito".

So as I ask you as a boxing fan (please leave all nut huggery and fan boy crap outside this thread). What do you think is the real reason that Floyd has not fought (and beaten) all the fighters that would have categorically made him a top ten all time great?

[brently1979]

Floyd Mayweather Jr is probably the most gifted and skillful fighter of his generation but note how I had to use the word "probably". His skills are beyond repute, his resume however, is not.

I'm a Floyd fan. I like watching him fight, I don't go for the "not entertaining" cliche that casual boxing fans have labeled him with, his defense is a thing of beauty and he punches with incredible speed and accuracy. But like most realistic Floyd fans I house some regret.

I regret the fights that Floyd hasn't taken, I have no doubt in my mind that he would have beaten Barrera, Morales, Margarito, Cotto, Mosley or even Paul Williams but as often happens my opinion is instantly countered with the "He never fought them so we'll never know".

I've heard Floyd speak on this many times, he has a reason or an answer for each fighter he never faced but surely the best answer to the question "Are you better than Margarito?" is "I beat Margarito".

So as I ask you as a boxing fan (please leave all nut huggery and fan boy crap outside this thread). What do you think is the real reason that Floyd has not fought (and beaten) all the fighters that would have categorically made him a top ten all time great?

I don't think he is as confident as he makes out with himself.

[Killa_Kali]

brittle fists.

[Mickey Gomez]

brittle fists.

The hand injuries could be a legitimate reason but when did the hand injury occur? And did he avoid any fighters before that?

[civicvx]

He doesn't fight fighters that he thinks can beat him. Therefore he's not confidence in himself.

[Killa_Kali]

The hand injuries could be a legitimate reason but when did the hand injury occur? And did he avoid any fighters before that?

the rumor just after he retired was that the hand injuries were really bothering him. i'm not quite sure when the problem started. there's a separate thread here about the painkillers he has to inject into his hands now to numb away the pain.

must be that bad.

[Mickey Gomez]

He doesn't fight fighters that he thinks can beat him. Therefore he's not confidence in himself.

Of all the things Mayweather lacks, confidence isn't one of them.

He can't actually think that someone like Cotto would beat him...?

[Mickey Gomez]

the rumor just after he retired was that the hand injuries were really bothering him. i'm not quite sure when the problem started. there's a separate thread here about the painkillers he has to inject into his hands now to numb away the pain.

must be that bad.

If it was indeed the hands why wouldn't he just say so.

[Killa_Kali]

If it was indeed the hands why wouldn't he just say so.

your guess is as good as mine.

[JOM'S]

The hand injuries could be a legitimate reason but when did the hand injury occur? And did he avoid any fighters before that?

it safe to say that PBF did not avoid anybody up to castillo fight at LW ....