6 years ago the fights that the boxing world were asking Mayweather to take were....

[Danny Gunz]

You cant just ignore that times have changed so much though.... And the fact that the gatti fight everyone knew was a mismatc.

[Blubba]

Mitchell, Gatti, Hatton, Mosley, De La Hoya, Judah, & Tzuyu were guys that all the boxing 'experts' were saying would cement the legacy of Mayweather...he beat 6 of the 7 guys WHO AT THE TIME were considered his toughest challenges.....now when he beats them they were nobodies and he has ducked the best???

Key words are in the title = "6 years ago" hahahaha!

[zeidrich]

mayweather vs duran would cement his legacy for sure
duran will accept it...

[qwerty07]

PBF would have easily, EASILY, outboxed these guys silly for 12 rounds. No point in even trying LMAO!

[Vito Corleone]

You cant just ignore that times have changed so much though.... And the fact that the gatti fight everyone knew was a mismatc.

Yeah...in round 2.

More people picked Gatti to win than called it a mismatch. Don't try to rewrite history.

[Jim Tom]

Mitchell, Gatti, Hatton, Mosley, De La Hoya, Judah, & Tzuyu were guys that all the boxing 'experts' were saying would cement the legacy of Mayweather...he beat 6 of the 7 guys WHO AT THE TIME were considered his toughest challenges.....now when he beats them they were nobodies and he has ducked the best???

There's no better way to put this accross

[Vito Corleone]

... And the fact that the gatti fight everyone knew was a mismatc.

Arturo Gatti is my favorite boxer active today. Why? Because he a true warrior. He's a throw back to the days when you boxed to survive. His style would have made him popular and competitive in any era. That is why I was sad when I heard that Arturo signed to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. As tough and talented as Arturo is, I just cannot see him winning the fight. Floyd is the most naturally gifted boxer I've seen since a youthful Roy Jones Jr. Anything Arturo can do, Floyd probably can do as well if not better. I see a pretty one-sided bout with Floyd finally winning by late round KO. I hope that I am wrong.
Jim Amato

My God, I've been flogged almost mercilessly in my predictions for the last month. But — Hallelujah! — I've been given a gift from above: Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Arturo Gatti. Gatti gave us all a show when it came to his trilogy with Micky Ward. But he really hasn't proven himself beyond that. Mayweather Jr. is getting a gift in the form of a UD victory. I might relish this victory more than "Pretty Boy" Floyd.
Jesse K. Cox

Yet another pick where I'm going with my heart instead of my head. I've only picked against Floyd once in his entire career - the Corrales fight. I couldn't have been more wrong in that one, and am bracing for a similar letdown here. So, with no logic to support my pick, I'm just gunning for an upset based on a gut feeling. Arturo will be way behind on two cards, yet surprisingly close on a third, when he rallies late in the eleventh to batter him along the ropes. Floyd will not drop, but his head will snap back juuuuuuust enough for the referee to stop the contest - and set off a frenzy from the Mayweather camp. Floyd will immediately recover, and protest to no end that he was the victim of a premature stoppage. He'll be right - but will also be without his undefeated record at the end of the day. Gatti TKO11.
Jake Donovan

Heart and toughness are wonderful things for a fighter to have, but they still take a back seat to overall talent. Unless Gatti lands a good shot early, he has a long night against the superior skills of Mayweather. I'm pulling hard for Gatti, but my head tells me to pick Mayweather. If he comes into this fight focused and takes Gatti seriously, he wins by TKO (cuts) in the tenth round.
Rick Folstad


As much as I want Arturo Gatti to win this fight, Mayweather's hand speed will rule the day. If Gatti somehow can keep his eyes from swelling shut and can avoid knockdowns and one of Mayweather's hands get broken, he might have a shot. Mayweather TKO-7.
Tim Graham

The specter of two more high-quality fighters in the talent-rich junior welterweight division meeting should make every boxing fan’s must-see list. Although Mayweather is as thoroughly inept at public relations as any celebrity I've seen, he may be the top P4P fighter in the world today. He's that good. He knows and exhibits every trick in the old-school book. He can punch when necessary and box better than anyone in the game – time after time. He has also proven that he can shut out the antics of his private life and execute flawlessly. Arturo Gatti is an old battler of the sport having engaged in epic contests against a wide variety of the class of today’s boxing scene. His flaw is well-known (i.e. propensity for engaging in wars). One glitch that may work against Mayweather is that in the 140-pound class he may – may – be at the outer edge of his power. Another is his growing belief that he is invincible. Gatti is willing to take a world-class beating and continue to forge ahead. He has also demonstrated rediscovered skills under the tutelage of boxing sage Buddy McGirt. Although Mayweather will be favored for all the reasons above, I see an upset. Gatti will push Mayweather to the edge – and edge him out. He is not the better fighter, but occasionally a gifted prodigy, such as Mayweather, allows himself to become the victim of his own press. Gatti by decision.
JE Grant

I overheard somebody at a women's fight in Las Vegas back in January say
Mayweather would win this fight on cuts. I didn't disagree to his face but will now. Gatti may not have all the "pretty boy" fighter ways but what he does have is something Floyd's never come up against: a blood-and-guts, never-say-quit or -die mentality. Gatti is a hard-charging warrior facing a slick and quick fighter who's already let his mouth go as much as he brags he’ll let his hands go. Saturday night he needs to shut up, put 'em up and keep 'em up if he wants to win. I say Gatti after a long tough battle.
Amy Green

I said I wouldn't let my heart get into it, but in boxing heart, character and intestinal fortitude are intrinsic with being a champion. Both these talented fighters are champions. They say "on paper" that Gatti, a 4-1 underdog, has no chance. Mayweather is the most purely talented fighter today, but I just don't know what will happen if he finally gets hurt. How will he respond? You can look awesome in beating everyone up. Let's see what happens when the rabbit gets the gun. IF Gatti can hurt Mayweather, he wins. Arturo Gatti beats Floyd Mayweather via 9-10th round TKO.
Mike Indri

I think Gatti will have a nice edge in weight, as he always does, and his heavy shots will keep Mayweather respectful enough to box his way for twelve rounds. "They" say that Gatti has become a better boxer of late and not just a puncher. "I" say that he has fought nothing other than guys who have been right there in front of him to be hit. Look at his recent run - James Leija, Leonard Dorin, Gianluca Branco, Micky Ward (twice) - no boxers in that bunch and Branco came at Gatti all night, forcing Arturo to box and move. It isn't a stretch to say that Gatti has never fought anyone like Mayweather, and the speed will be too much. Speed means power and Mayweather is as fast as they come. Could be a great fight with Gatti pressing and getting cut but going on, or it could be a blowout. Either way it's Mayweather winning.
Joey Knish


On paper Mayweather should win handily. But I can't forget how much Gatti wanted this fight, and did everything in his power to make it happen. With Tarver-Johnson, I picked with my heart instead of my head and lost. Down deep, however, I believed Tarver would win but couldn't go against Johnson. But in this fight, something tells me that Gatti will shock everyone but him and trainer Buddy McGirt by stopping Mayweather. Gatti TKO 8.
Bob Mladinich

I wish there was someway I could whisper: Mayweather … by … decision. Which does not mean I can't root for the other guy to kick his ass.
Pat Putnam

Floyd Mayweather will stop Arturo Gatti on cuts or the ref will step in to save Thunder.
Mayweather has the speed and tools to do what DLH and Manfredy did. Strength won’t enter into it. Arturo has the power to knock Mayweather’s block off, but Floyd will get there first and more often. His shots are shorter, straighter and quicker…and he pulls the trigger faster. With Arturo’s paper-thin skin and scar tissue, he should look like Vito Antuofermo very quickly. (It’s not about heart; it’s the wrapping God gives you.) Arturo should slog on through a curtain of red until Floyd makes the ref jump in to save him from the kind of volley that Griffth put on Paret -- charitably, around seven -- much shorter, if he didn’t have so much heart. Castillo gave Mayweather a stern test because he scratched to be inside -- never stopped cranking. When the ref broke them, he never stepped back. Gatti’s a different animal; he’s a highlight-reel puncher -- needs room to load up and throw. (But, those movie punches are thrilling.) Mayweather may have a career without answering the question: Does he have heart? It won’t be asked Saturday.
Joe Rein

While Gatti has become a boxer-puncher under trainer Buddy McGirt, Mayweather's boxing ability is greater and he can punch, too. I am picking Mayweather, but one thing that worries me is that Gatti will have a significant weight advantage by the time the fight starts if his past history is any indication. Mayweather cannot let it become a brawl.
Ed Schuyler

Arturo Gatti has the proverbial puncher's chance in this fight. Despite effectively mixing boxing and punching over the past few years under the tutelage of Buddy McGirt, Gatti won't be able to outslick the slickest of the slick in Mayweather. Gatti will need to mix his attack to the body and head with vicious intentions early to establish control in the fight. He has to force Mayweather to exchange with him to be successful. Unless his ego gets in the way, I think Mayweather will play it safe and use enough hand and foot speed to keep Gatti at bay. Conventional wisdom should prevail in this one. I see Mayweather taking Gatti out late or winning a wide decision.
Greg Smith

I have always thought “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather was hard to stomach, and the weeks preceding this fight have not changed my mind. However, he may very well be the best fighter of his generation. When the final bell sounds, Floyd will not think Arturo Gatti is a C+ fighter anymore, but he will have won. Mayweather by unanimous decision.
Aaron Tallent

[lfc19titles]

so he waited until mosley was nearly 40 to fight him? everyone knows mosley would have given him sell if floyd accepted the fight against a younger mosley

oscar, oh please oscar was coming off a huge layoff and was slower in terms of hand and foot speed as well as agility and reactions. if he fought a prime oscar he would have lost

hatton, a beast at 140, where did floyd fight him?

marquez, a beast at 130/135, where did floyd fight him?

Gatti, are you serious?

[Rockin']

and money isnt an excuse. nor was it ever -

its all about the money, are you crazy. floyd could give a **** what anybody thinks about what he has done or what he has not done. In the end its all about the money.....................Rockin'

[Vito Corleone]

.... And the fact that the gatti fight everyone knew was a mismatc.

Julian Kastin: This isn't the prediction most will make, but this is the biggest fight of his life and I think Gatti will come out the winner by decision or possibly even late stoppage. Mayweather hasn't shown a great chin at 140, being rocked twice by Corley, and it seems as if his foot speed isn't what it used to be.

Sean Newman: This is a fight where, no matter how hard I try, I cannot envision a Gatti win. Arturo may have it over Floyd in the punching power and guts department, but he has to hit Floyd squarely with his best punch to even have a prayer. If he does, it could be lights out for Floyd as Gatti is naturally a much bigger man. However, I expect Floyd to put on a boxing clinic and cause Gatti's face to cut and swell. Gatti's boxing has improved, but he is nowhere in Mayweather's league, so his best shot is to slug. Mayweather said that all Gatti has done for the sport is "make that mat bloody," and Gatti will do so again come Saturday night, en route to a TKO loss in the middle rounds. Mayweather TKO 6.

Aaron Imholte: Gatti is all heart, no quit, biggest heart in boxing. Floyd will have to do all of these things to win this fight: 1. stay away from big punches; 2. protect the body; 3. be willing to die because Gatti will not quit under any circumstances – he will keep coming and coming and coming. This is a new kind of freak Floyd is fighting, different from Corrales and Castillo, he’s bigger, in some senses stronger, and has more courage. If the fight goes the distance Floyd wins, anything before 12 rounds, Gatti wins.

Gary Pino: I am a huge Gatti fan and if guts alone would be the factor, it would be Gatti, and by a 8th or 9th round KO. But As history shows aging warriors who have fought in wars like the 3 Ward bloodbaths, I think if Arturo is going to slip up and lose a big fight, Mayweather may be the perfect opponent to beat him. I do not think Mayweather can KO Gatti, but I think a possible TKO or a win on points would be my pick. Sorry Arturo, your still my man Mayweather by TKO.
Benny Henderson Jr.: Well, I am really going to be rooting for Gatti in this one, but I can see Mayweather out-boxing Gatti and staying away from his power. But, the pre-fight and post-fight hoopla will probably be as crazy as the fight itself. OK, I will say Gatti gets down and dirty and catches PBF in the later rounds.

Tom Gray: I would relish the sight of Gatti "beating the living ****" out of Floyd Mayweather Jr, which is a direct quote from Gatti himself. Sorry, but I love Gatti too much to be impartial on this! Arturo is going in against the best pure boxer in the sport, who is, without overrating the man, a genius. Genius has to be respected and I think Floyd will step up the gears in this one to force the referee’s intervention, after the mid way point. Mayweather TKO7. I just hope that Arturo tags him big, just once, because that's all it will take. I'm praying for him!



Jess E. Trail: Despite Mayweather's claims that he will "punish" Gatti, he will fight an intelligent in-an-out fight. He will cut Gatti, outbox him and win a unanimous decision. Floyd will survive the occasional big punch and thunderous body work. And after the bout, Gatti will still be more popular than Mayweather.

Coyote Duran: Well, it's no secret where I stand on this and although I take nothing from Mayweather's history and his road to junior welterweight, now that he's on that road, I believe his ride's coming to a halt. This has been a year for upsets and Mayweather's ripe for his unless he really outslicks and cuts up Gatti. Still, I'm predicting an 11th round KO win for Gatti. Not "TKO" since Mayweather doesn't stand still long enough on the ropes to let an opponent fire away unanswered, but "KO" because I think Gatti has what it takes to floor Mayweather and keep him there.

Martin Wade: Mayweather will have to go retro (junior lightweight) to make good on his boast of making “easy work” of Gatti. I don’t think he can do it, at 140 (and nearing 30) he lives more in the pocket. Floyd will sweep rounds 1-8 with precision punching and digs to the body. Gatti will come on late hitting Floyd’s arms, shoulders and body but he will ultimately run out of time. Floyd will win by UD and steal a few fans with his grit, Gatti will maintain market value and earn a trip to England.

Jason Petock: I think it's going to be a challenging fight for Arturo Gatti to say the least. Floyd is clearly the craftier boxer with blistering hand speed. But I'm going to have to back my man and say that I choose Gatti to win by knockout in the 6th. I've been known to be incorrect in prior predictions but I have to stay true as a fan. I feel that if Mayweather gets into an exchange with Gatti it's going to be lights out for "Pretty Boy". With all the smack that Floyd's be talking lately, I hope I'm right.

Andrew Mullinder: It’s rare that I’ve been as convinced about the result of a supposedly competitive match. It's irritated me that American observers, pundits, and fans judged Ricky Hatton’s record and ability with a withering sarcasm while lionising Arturo Gatti. Who’s Gatti beaten at a world class level to justify his current position as pre-eminent American 140 lb-er? Tracy Harris Patterson? Mickey Ward? Leonard Dorin? Sure, Gatti is exciting – and he shows the kind of heart and nerve in the face of seemingly hopeless circumstances which rightfully attracts admirers. But short of a brilliant McGirt game-plan or a lucky punch, Mayweather should prove far too fast, accurate, skilled, smart and classy to succumb to Gatti. Mayweather by wide UD

Rob Scott: The fight isn't totally one sided; Gatti definitely has a punchers chance. The problem is he is facing a fighter as knowledgeable/skillful as Mayweather who knows this as well. If Gatti lands, things can happen for him. No matter how much Mayweather says he wants to war with Gatti – he won't. All the other fighters that Gatti warred with, to a certain degree, had to. Mayweather is fast and skilful enough where he doesn't have to. Look for Mayweather to put class in session. Mayweather – 12 round unanimous decision with the possibility of stopping Gatti on cuts.

Anthony ****s: I’m going to put my nuts on the line here and tip Gatti to win by 11th round TKO. Here’s my reasoning… I don’t care how skilled a fighter is, they cannot move up in weight with impunity. I firmly believe that 140 is the glass ceiling for Lil Floyd, who has lost some of his speed and mobility as he has ascended the divisions. Light fisted ‘Chop Chop’ Corley rocked Mayweather twice in their bout and it took the pound-for-pound entrant eight rounds to get rid of the grossly overmatched Henry Bruseles. At 135 Mayweather went tooth-and-nail with another big, strong, aggressive fighter in Jose Luis Castillo. See where I’m going with this? The key to victory for Gatti is effective aggression; he needs to use his natural size advantage to lean on Mayweather and rough him up on the inside while digging to the body ever chance he gets. The one thing Gatti must not do is get reckless, which is a very real possibility after the continuous verbal assaults Mayweather has subjected him to over the past few weeks. Still, I like Gatti’s size and power to eventually win the day.