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Arch rivals have to have similar credentials. Just like Doc Rivers saying the Lakers and Clippers aren't really a rivalry because the Clippers don't have the credentials yet to challenges the Laker's franchise. Their simply just a better team than they were before.
Only keyboard warriors care about Floyd fighting someone like GGG. The general public and high money rollers only care that Pacman and Floyd face each other. Simply because that's THE fight that was being sold as THE fight for Boxing for the past few years. And they both have long been considered the best P4P fighters of their eras and have proved a lot in big fights. It was only natural.
It was especially clear when Floyd fought Canelo. The people I was watching it with could only comment on the fact that Floyd and Pacman were not fighting. Some didn't even know who he was fighting and ask "Oh is he fighting the little Asian dude?"
Legacy is built more on your elite rivals in sports. And while the likes of GGG and Martinez would be tests for Floyd, history will only remember the guy who was considered his rival throughout the elite parts of their careers. Pacman's legacy will also be defined by whether he fights Mayweather or not too. Both will be remembered as the two best fighters of their era....but that never fought each other.
Wladimir has that problem himself. He hasn't had a true rival. It could have been Lennox Lewis at one point, but he had his own issues with Corrie Sanders, then Brewster, Lewis felt defined by finishing off with Tyson and then Vitali seemed to be the "more formidable brother" when a Kirk Johnson bout fell through for him. At that point, Lewis had already capped off his career and had already proven himself. I think Haye was built the biggest hurdle for Wlad, but the way the fight turned out didn't help his case. I think another large, six foot something (Fury, Wilder) can help, but Wlad may be on that Larry Holmes curse of not having a true rival. He'll have to settle for his career being definied more by longevity at the top rather than beating similarly credentialed rivals. Closest thing would have been his brother if you ask me.
The last that comes to mind is Martinez. He's had some nice wins and gutting out the last round vs Chavez Jr. at the time seemed monumental. However we also know how limted Chavez Jr. is and he hasn't built a legacy worth career on par with Martinez. Unfortunately Martinez hasn't had another MW recently who will go down in the history books as one of the best from his era. I realize that makes the difference. Fighting "the other guy" who is considered one of the best in the same era. Cotto won't do it for Martinez. GGG won't do it as he'll be labeled as overrated and limited. Chavez Jr. didn't do it. Canelo won't. I think Martinez's only hope is to dominate the rest of the division's top 10 for several more years which probably isn't going to happen. OR to somehow pull something off vs Ward who has proven himself as one of the best P4P fighters today.
Only keyboard warriors care about Floyd fighting someone like GGG. The general public and high money rollers only care that Pacman and Floyd face each other. Simply because that's THE fight that was being sold as THE fight for Boxing for the past few years. And they both have long been considered the best P4P fighters of their eras and have proved a lot in big fights. It was only natural.
It was especially clear when Floyd fought Canelo. The people I was watching it with could only comment on the fact that Floyd and Pacman were not fighting. Some didn't even know who he was fighting and ask "Oh is he fighting the little Asian dude?"
Legacy is built more on your elite rivals in sports. And while the likes of GGG and Martinez would be tests for Floyd, history will only remember the guy who was considered his rival throughout the elite parts of their careers. Pacman's legacy will also be defined by whether he fights Mayweather or not too. Both will be remembered as the two best fighters of their era....but that never fought each other.
Wladimir has that problem himself. He hasn't had a true rival. It could have been Lennox Lewis at one point, but he had his own issues with Corrie Sanders, then Brewster, Lewis felt defined by finishing off with Tyson and then Vitali seemed to be the "more formidable brother" when a Kirk Johnson bout fell through for him. At that point, Lewis had already capped off his career and had already proven himself. I think Haye was built the biggest hurdle for Wlad, but the way the fight turned out didn't help his case. I think another large, six foot something (Fury, Wilder) can help, but Wlad may be on that Larry Holmes curse of not having a true rival. He'll have to settle for his career being definied more by longevity at the top rather than beating similarly credentialed rivals. Closest thing would have been his brother if you ask me.
The last that comes to mind is Martinez. He's had some nice wins and gutting out the last round vs Chavez Jr. at the time seemed monumental. However we also know how limted Chavez Jr. is and he hasn't built a legacy worth career on par with Martinez. Unfortunately Martinez hasn't had another MW recently who will go down in the history books as one of the best from his era. I realize that makes the difference. Fighting "the other guy" who is considered one of the best in the same era. Cotto won't do it for Martinez. GGG won't do it as he'll be labeled as overrated and limited. Chavez Jr. didn't do it. Canelo won't. I think Martinez's only hope is to dominate the rest of the division's top 10 for several more years which probably isn't going to happen. OR to somehow pull something off vs Ward who has proven himself as one of the best P4P fighters today.
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