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by David P. Greisman - When Floyd Mayweather Jr. retires — whether it is after his supposed farewell fight this Sept. 12 or should his goodbye instead be postponed in favor of adding more profit to his nest egg — he will go out on top.
He will remain undefeated, with world titles won in five weight classes and lineal championships in four, and with recognition as the best boxer today and in this era, as well as on the list of the greatest boxers of all time.
He will retire even though he continues to defeat younger welterweight contenders and titleholders, just made relatively easy work of Manny Pacquiao, one of the other top superstars of this generation, and could keep making eight-figure paydays even as he edges closer to 40 years old.
Carl Froch wasn’t undefeated. Nor was he above all else in the super middleweight division, not so long as Andre Ward, who topped Froch in late 2011, remained the true champion at 168. But he, too, essentially hung up his gloves while on or near the top.
It’s rare that fighters even have the option, and even when they do they almost never make that decision.
Mayweather and Froch, like nearly all, continued to fight beyond their best days. For most, though, being beyond their best days means they are no longer better than the rest. Most lose to other titleholders, then to contenders, then to prospects, and some even eventually to opponents who never would’ve belonged in the ring with them before. They continue on out of delusion or desperation, because it is a sport they love, or due to it being the best way, or perhaps the only way, they know of making money. [Click Here To Read More]
He will remain undefeated, with world titles won in five weight classes and lineal championships in four, and with recognition as the best boxer today and in this era, as well as on the list of the greatest boxers of all time.
He will retire even though he continues to defeat younger welterweight contenders and titleholders, just made relatively easy work of Manny Pacquiao, one of the other top superstars of this generation, and could keep making eight-figure paydays even as he edges closer to 40 years old.
Carl Froch wasn’t undefeated. Nor was he above all else in the super middleweight division, not so long as Andre Ward, who topped Froch in late 2011, remained the true champion at 168. But he, too, essentially hung up his gloves while on or near the top.
It’s rare that fighters even have the option, and even when they do they almost never make that decision.
Mayweather and Froch, like nearly all, continued to fight beyond their best days. For most, though, being beyond their best days means they are no longer better than the rest. Most lose to other titleholders, then to contenders, then to prospects, and some even eventually to opponents who never would’ve belonged in the ring with them before. They continue on out of delusion or desperation, because it is a sport they love, or due to it being the best way, or perhaps the only way, they know of making money. [Click Here To Read More]
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