Mayweather was like Rigondeaux for a long time

[Kagami Taiga]

This is why I find the comparisons annoying

Exactly. Lol. I'm just laughing at this.

[-PBP-]

1. Rigo will never be a star. Too old and too many barriers: weight, language, age, personality, etc.

2. People are WAY OVERSTATING Floyd's popularity back then. Here is an article from 2005. He went through this EXACT SAME SCENARIO.

June 27, 2005
Undefeated, Unafraid, Unpopular
This Saturday night, the ultratalented Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight Arturo Gatti for the super lightweight title. It's his biggest bout yet. Few will be rooting for him

At a recent boxing awards dinner that brought together past and present champions in Las Vegas, undefeated lightweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. took the opportunity to annoy one of his elders. This is, more or less, a life's work for Mayweather, who, after all, once fired his father as trainer and then kicked him out of the house. There is almost nobody he can't annoy, or worse, once he puts his mind to it. So here was Mayweather, barking at Sugar Ray Leonard of all people, reminding him that in his prime he couldn't even beat a lightweight. Roberto Duran! C'mon!

And on and on. Leonard at first seemed amused and then, like everybody else who crosses paths with the 28-year-old Mayweather, annoyed. Going on worse.

A bystander felt the bantering was escalating into dangerous territory and worried that Mayweather might draw the 49-year-old Hall of Famer out of retirement. But things soon simmered down, to the point of playfulness, and the two hugged. Leonard was asked afterward if it wouldn't have been nice to be 25 again. Prideful as ever, he said that 32 would have done the trick in Mayweather's case. Mayweather, meanwhile, feeling he'd settled the great Leonard's hash, departed the scene in a mood of triumph, and in the wee hours, was on his way to ... the gym.

And that's why we can't simply disregard boxing's biggest pill. He drives us crazy with his various feuds and civil disturbances, popping off at any show of authority or common sense. Yet he remains stubbornly dedicated to his sport, the one guy taking on all comers, winning impressively, winning always. He's the only elite fighter who's still undefeated (33-0, with 22 knockouts). And as Mayweather prepares to fight for Arturo Gatti's WBC super lightweight championship this Saturday in Atlantic City--Mayweather's first bout on pay-per-view--there's a feeling he could be on the cusp of greatness, about to be anointed boxing's best, pound for pound.

There is no discounting his talent, which has carried him almost effortlessly through 13 title fights in two weight classes. It's interesting to remember that Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo, who in May fought what many believe is the fight of this young century, were mere fodder for the up-and-coming Mayweather. "I don't see anybody," says his promoter, Bob Arum, "who can be competitive with this kid." And that probably includes Gatti, whose only chance may be to lure the much slicker Mayweather into another of his gory brawls.

Still, Mayweather remains something less than an attraction in this sport, less desirable than almost all the Latin boxers. "His talent is astounding," says Lou DiBella, a promoter who, while at HBO, tried to sign Mayweather to an $11.5 million, six-fight contract. "But his recognition has not matched his talent. He can't sell tickets. Anyone who thinks he's the A side of this promotion is crazy. It's a Gatti event." And Mayweather knows why: "I got a big mouth." Just ask Leonard.

It's too bad, because Mayweather should be a fighter who compares favorably with Leonard, rather than the one who simply peeves him. He is not nicknamed Pretty Boy for nothing; his smile, at least, could go up against Leonard's anytime, watt for watt. But Mayweather starts from the assumption that everybody is arrayed against him; thus he tends to shoot wildly from the hip. He decried HBO's first, overly generous contract offer as "slave wages" and rejected it, only to sign for similar terms a year later. DiBella, who didn't speak to him for several years after that slight, believes Mayweather has matured somewhat. Yet Mayweather is still capable of insulting his elders, sometimes in the time it takes to snap a jab.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1105325/index.htm

[Grimgash]

1. Rigo will never be a star. Too old and too many barriers: weight, language, age, personality, etc.

2. People are WAY OVERSTATING Floyd's popularity back then. Here is an article from 2005. He went through this EXACT SAME SCENARIO.

June 27, 2005
Undefeated, Unafraid, Unpopular
This Saturday night, the ultratalented Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight Arturo Gatti for the super lightweight title. It's his biggest bout yet. Few will be rooting for him

T

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...5325/index.htm

He wasn't what he was now in hindsight. But the PPV did well though as did his subsequent. The gatti fight he was a star on the level of JMM or Bradley, not saying much but in terms of how we value fighters it's decent. After that he continued at that pace until oscar where he exploded. It's overstating in hindsight but at the time he was a pretty big star. Was he A side yet? No he wasn't. Did promoters want him? Yes. Dibella even said he wanted to sign him to an 11.5 mil contract. I think most promoters wouldn't have to pay more than a McDouble for Rigo at this point.

[BUNGALOWS]

He wasn't what he was now in hindsight. But the PPV did well though as did his subsequent. The gatti fight he was a star on the level of JMM or Bradley, not saying much but in terms of how we value fighters it's decent. After that he continued at that pace until oscar where he exploded. It's overstating in hindsight but at the time he was a pretty big star. Was he A side yet? No he wasn't. Did promoters want him? Yes. Dibella even said he wanted to sign him to an 11.5 mil contract. I think most promoters wouldn't have to pay more than a McDouble for Rigo at this point.

You also have to factor in, there's no star power opposition for Rigo. He dismantled the biggest star, other than Mares, in Donaire, and where did that get him?

The ultra small guys don't sell.

[-PBP-]

He wasn't what he was now in hindsight. But the PPV did well though as did his subsequent. The gatti fight he was a star on the level of JMM or Bradley, not saying much but in terms of how we value fighters it's decent. After that he continued at that pace until oscar where he exploded. It's overstating in hindsight but at the time he was a pretty big star. Was he A side yet? No he wasn't. Did promoters want him? Yes. Dibella even said he wanted to sign him to an 11.5 mil contract. I think most promoters wouldn't have to pay more than a McDouble for Rigo at this point.

Your comparing an American Olympian in his 20's to a Cuban defector in his 30's who doesn't speak English and is in a weight class that only hard core fans care about.

Mayweather went threw the SAME EXACT criticisms that Rigo went through before he blew up. He was a way more humble guy back then until he finally realized he has to do more outside of the ring to sell himself.

Obviously, Rigo doesn't have the upside potential Floyd had. But they both received the exact same criticisms due to their fighting styles.

Floyd was not perceived as a popular offensive fighting machine back then they way people in this thread are referring to him.

I know because I HATE Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant for the way they used to bash him after all of his wins.

[WatchForTheHook]

1. Rigo will never be a star. Too old and too many barriers: weight, language, age, personality, etc.

2. People are WAY OVERSTATING Floyd's popularity back then. Here is an article from 2005. He went through this EXACT SAME SCENARIO.

June 27, 2005
Undefeated, Unafraid, Unpopular
This Saturday night, the ultratalented Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight Arturo Gatti for the super lightweight title. It's his biggest bout yet. Few will be rooting for him




http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...5325/index.htm

Still, Mayweather remains something less than an attraction in this sport, less desirable than almost all the Latin boxers. "His talent is astounding," says Lou DiBella, a promoter who, while at HBO, tried to sign Mayweather to an $11.5 million, six-fight contract. "But his recognition has not matched his talent. He can't sell tickets. Anyone who thinks he's the A side of this promotion is crazy. It's a Gatti event." And Mayweather knows why: "I got a big mouth." Just ask Leonard.

Of course the Promoter that failed at signing him is going to talk **** about him!!! if he couldn't sell tickets why would he offer him 11 million does that make any ****ing sense?? ****ing idiot


Thats Like trying to sign me to be a Singer for 10 million and I turn u down...sign with another label and then u say well he wont sell any ablums he dont have the talent....
If I didnt have the talent why try to sign me?

Foyld was comparing himself to Shane Mosely and Oscar so ppl where holding that against him...

[mannyman]

Floyd was a technically skilled boxer and did not take many chances and was not very exciting to watch. Floyd did not become a household name until he beat Oscar. Floyd was arguably the number 1 p4p fighter in the world for a while before people took notice. Floyds style is a little more entertaining now because he stands in the pocket more but early on his style was unappealing to most.

Rigondeaux can just keep winning but it will take him a long time to really establish a fan base unless your a fan of master boxing. Floyd boastful personality helped his career a lot and then all of suddenly people started tuning in to see him lose.

Have to disagree, back when floyd was at the lower weights he was a lot more offensive although he was still great defensively. Just look how many KOs he got at the lower weights. Absolute phenomenal fighter back then.

[.:: JSFD26 ::.]

Floyd only became the star he is because of his persona, the flamboyant, trash talking, money flashing, loud mouth.

Does Rigondeaux bring those kind of things to the table? I don't think he does.

It's a sad shame but it's the reality. I don't see Rigondeaux reaching stardom.

I don't think anyone EVER thought Rigo would be a star. Ever.

Do Rigo fans such as myself even care if he headlines? Seriously, as long as he's earning his spot on the P4P list and establishing himself as one of the best 122lbers ever I could care less.


Posted from Boxingscene.com App for Android

[The Problem Child]

Mayweather still is like Rigondeaux in the sense that he doesn't risk much and he is mainly always defensive. As you can see, neither of these two are respected by majority of professional analysts and fans.

Here's the difference though, Floyd has built this hate-able persona and controversy always sell, in any field. You combine that villain type character everyone wants to hit themselves with a 0 on his record, and you get all the people (including me) who just want to see you lose tune in to your fights to hopefully witness your downfall and enjoy it.

Rigondeaux, however, has none of the above. His style is just downright awful, and he doesn't care about it at all. He fights for himself disregarding the commercial aspect of the sport he is trying to making a living off.

[-PBP-]

Of course the Promoter that failed at signing him is going to talk **** about him!!! if he couldn't sell tickets why would he offer him 11 million does that make any ****ing sense?? ****ing idiot


Thats Like trying to sign me to be a Singer for 10 million and I turn u down...sign with another label and then u say well he wont sell any ablums he dont have the talent....
If I didnt have the talent why try to sign me?

Foyld was comparing himself to Shane Mosely and Oscar so ppl where holding that against him...

From 2002:

The polarization has had one unfortunate effect, namely that the old Anglo audience, which is not concentrated in the Southwest, remains largely ignorant of boxing's new vitality. A fighter capable of generating news among the more traditional Anglo audience—Floyd Mayweather Jr., for instance—may have all the East Coast recognition in the world, but he just can't sell tickets the way Barrera or Morales does. "Put Mayweather on pay-per-view?" Arum asks, laughing. "Not unless he fights a Hispanic.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1026151/2/index.htm

He was going through this SAME ****. Were you even watching boxing back then? If your a Floyd fan you should know this because you would have been mad the way HBO and Arum used to talk about him all the time.