Why didn’t Floyd Mayweather fight Tszyu, Cotto, Margarito and Mosely in their primes?

[BangEM]

I’m a big fan of Floyd Mayweather and he’s the best boxer in the last 20-25 years. However, I can’t deny the fact that he retired undefeated is because he ducked some of the best boxers of his era during the second phase of his career.

We all know styles make fights and based on how he struggled against Zab Judah, Castillo, and Maidana - I’m sure at least 1 of the 4 boxers up there would have beaten him. Tszyu was a bad boy that had Zab Judah doing the stanky leg and Margarito was a tough nut with power and a better version of Maidana. Also, prime Cotto before he was damaged with padded gloves by Margarito would’ve caused Mayweather all kinds of trouble. Ditto prime Shane Mosley.

This is basically why most purists don’t view Mayweather as the GOAT despite his unbeaten record and he would’ve ranked higher if he took more risks during the 2nd phase of his career. And it’s also why I don’t rate boxers like Loma, Spence, GGG and to an extent, Canelo (bum beaters like Wilder and Fury don’t belong in this convo because they will never be ATGs...the guys listed have potentials to be ATGs).

[GrandpaBernard]

Didn't he try to fight Tszyu and Cotto at 140. Miguel had the strength of youth at that weight

margarito. Floyd had no interest in that match. Too low reward

[Rip Chudd]

Tszyu had the opportunity but chose a more lucrative fight in Hatton. Mosley had a toothache. The Margs fight should of happened, Floyd didn't want that work, although I thing Floyd would of beat him. As far as Cotto, I think Top Rank steered him away from a Mayweather fight.

Let's not act as if Floyd has always been a great option. He was low reward in terms of money until after the Oscar and Hatton fights. Pretty Boy Floyd was that dude. Money Mayweather not so much

[BangEM]

Tszyu had the opportunity but chose a more lucrative fight in Hatton. Mosley had a toothache. The Margs fight should of happened, Floyd didn't want that work, although I thing Floyd would of beat him. As far as Cotto, I think Top Rank steered him away from a Mayweather fight.

Let's not act as if Floyd has always been a great option. He was low reward in terms of money until after the Oscar and Hatton fights. Pretty Boy Floyd was that dude. Money Mayweather not so much

Tszyu was past his prime when he fought Hatton. And he had more than one opportunity to make the Mosley fight but he didn’t.

I’m the biggest fan of Pretty Boy Mayweather but Money Mayweather raised this generation of overprotected PBC boxers.

[BangEM]

Didn't he try to fight Tszyu and Cotto at 140. Miguel had the strength of youth at that weight

margarito. Floyd had no interest in that match. Too low reward

He only tried to make the Tszyu fight when the guy was past his prime. And he had opportunities to fight Cotto but didn’t.

[mcdonalds]

Because excluding Margarito, they all ducked him.

Tszyu- didn't want smoke, also signed to a different network

Mosley- Toothache

Cotto- Wasn't ready at 140, didn't want smoke.

[GrandpaBernard]

He only tried to make the Tszyu fight when the guy was past his prime. And he had opportunities to fight Cotto but didn’t.

what made Tszyu so good

He was one of the few potential competitors who Floyd publicly praised

[ShoulderRoll]

Mosley in his prime ducked him.

Cotto at 140 ducked him. He and Arum wanted no part of Floyd after seeing him dismantle Henry Bruseles.

Margarito would have required Floyd re-signing with Top Rank who didn't want to make the Oscar De La Hoya fight and pay Floyd what he was requesting.

Floyd used to call out Kostya Tszyu all the time. But back then Mayweather wasn't a cash cow, just a very high risk low reward opponent. There was also an issue of timing as Tszyu had an injury layoff and then was on the way out around the time Floyd moved up to 140.

[Rip Chudd]

Tszyu was past his prime when he fought Hatton. And he had more than one opportunity to make the Mosley fight but he didn’t.

I’m the biggest fan of Pretty Boy Mayweather but Money Mayweather raised this generation of overprotected PBC boxers.

You act as if Mosley was jumpong up and down at an opportunity to face Floyd. Heck, nobody was when he was coming up and Mosley like Floyd was chasing Oscar. Floyd didn't move up to 140 til 2005, don't forget after 2002 Kosta had injuries and was only fighting once a year if I remember correctly

[paulf]

Because excluding Margarito, they all ducked him.

Tszyu- didn't want smoke, also signed to a different network

Mosley- Toothache

Cotto- Wasn't ready at 140, didn't want smoke.

Yeah these are the facts. Margarito was high risk low reward and Floyd was heading towards the DLH fight at the time. Floyd wanted 20mil to fight DLH but Arum said it wasn’t there; offered him 8 to fight Margarito instead. Floyd bought out his contact for 750k and fought DLH a year later, made something like 25 million. So it was a similar situation to Bradley-Khan.

Cotto and Mosley ducked Floyd but circled back years later for the payday. Tszyu wasn’t interested.