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Hear it out. It's time for a step back in time.
The year is 2006. This is the time when Floyd had enough with Bob Arum and bought out his contract because he was no longer in support of the opponents Arum wanted him to fight - notably, Margacheato.
NOTE: At this point in time, Cheato was an 'eye test' fighter with 3 losses; nowhere near what he would later become. He had decent wins, but mostly stayed in his lane in WBO territory (same as Terence Crawford) and didn't 'dare to be great' until the point he could no longer make 147 comfortably. Arum wanted that fight because he needed a signature win for Cheato.
Floyd not only felt that he was being diminished in favor of other (non-black) fighters, but that he wasn't being given the credit or respect he was due for his performances in the lower weight classes. He had started to negotiate a fight with Cory Spinks (another 'eye test' fighter that was getting chatter at the time), but got flack from reporters and the media for what they felt was a fight that wasn't worth his time.
NOTE: Cory Spinks was fresh off getting revenge over Zab Judah. This would have been Floyd's first campaign at 154 at the time he was willing to do what he thought he had to do to get to the next level and recognized by everyone. People go back and forth over whether Floyd could have handled the rangy style of Spinks; what isn't disputed is that the fight wouldn't have done anything for him.
Instead of Spinks, Floyd would challenge Carlos Baldomir, who was undefeated for 8 years, was lineal champion and held all but one of the titles in the division. This fight all but sealed the deal that Floyd Mayweather was the biggest threat to 147 and possibly 154 at the time.
NOTE: While boxing purists criticized Floyd's selection of Baldomir, it was only because of Baldomir's fight style, which was not 'eye test' pleasing. His dissection of Arturo Gatti solidified that he was not to be overlooked. Additionally, one does not hold all but one of the titles in the division if one is not a quality fighter.
When De La Hoya came back available in 2007 Floyd accepted the fight on De La Hoya's terms: gloves, ref, venue, judges, split, etc. He accepted everything because he knew that a win over De La Hoya would put him where he needed to be even though De La Hoya was nowhere near the top (or youngest) dog at the time. Just having the name on the resume would open doors for the Pretty Boy.
NOTE: Mayweather would later get criticized for accepting the fight due to De La Hoya's age; despite the fact that both he AND De La Hoya were in their 30's when they fought and De La Hoya was a champion at 154, having beaten Mayorga a year prior.
A rematch was supposed to happen at 147 between Mayweather and De La Hoya, due to the first fight ending on a SD. It never happened because (A) Mayweather retired due to bodily wear and tear, and (B) De La Hoya retiring due to the loss and issues making weight.
NOTE: Once again, Mayweather's win would be discredited later due to Manny's performance against De La Hoya. That performance took place at 147, and unbiased outlets noted that De La Hoya was significantly drained and had no business that low, given he had gone up and down weight in a short span. Had Floyd fought De La Hoya at that weight, Oscar most certainly would have retired for good, plus excuses about weight tainting the win.
Ultimately, it was the decision to face Baldomir - a fighter that boxing purists didn't really want - that opened every other door for 'Pretty Boy' Floyd Mayweather. That fight essentially forced Oscar's hand, as Floyd had now essentially cleaned out 147 of any credible (i.e. non-'eye test') opposition, leaving only 154 where De La Hoya was still considered top dog.
This is where Crawford is - that crossroads. Too many similarities. He needs to either leave Arum or take fights that purists may not want to see in order to open doors for the fights that you do want to see - and stop complaining about age when the fighters are the same age.
This is why Crawford deserves every bit of criticism about not accepting a fight with Shawn Porter immediately, if for no other reason than to prove he's the top guy - not just be told he's the top guy because of the 'eye test' - but go out there and PROVE IT.
Like the 'Pretty Boy' once had to do.
The year is 2006. This is the time when Floyd had enough with Bob Arum and bought out his contract because he was no longer in support of the opponents Arum wanted him to fight - notably, Margacheato.
NOTE: At this point in time, Cheato was an 'eye test' fighter with 3 losses; nowhere near what he would later become. He had decent wins, but mostly stayed in his lane in WBO territory (same as Terence Crawford) and didn't 'dare to be great' until the point he could no longer make 147 comfortably. Arum wanted that fight because he needed a signature win for Cheato.
Floyd not only felt that he was being diminished in favor of other (non-black) fighters, but that he wasn't being given the credit or respect he was due for his performances in the lower weight classes. He had started to negotiate a fight with Cory Spinks (another 'eye test' fighter that was getting chatter at the time), but got flack from reporters and the media for what they felt was a fight that wasn't worth his time.
NOTE: Cory Spinks was fresh off getting revenge over Zab Judah. This would have been Floyd's first campaign at 154 at the time he was willing to do what he thought he had to do to get to the next level and recognized by everyone. People go back and forth over whether Floyd could have handled the rangy style of Spinks; what isn't disputed is that the fight wouldn't have done anything for him.
Instead of Spinks, Floyd would challenge Carlos Baldomir, who was undefeated for 8 years, was lineal champion and held all but one of the titles in the division. This fight all but sealed the deal that Floyd Mayweather was the biggest threat to 147 and possibly 154 at the time.
NOTE: While boxing purists criticized Floyd's selection of Baldomir, it was only because of Baldomir's fight style, which was not 'eye test' pleasing. His dissection of Arturo Gatti solidified that he was not to be overlooked. Additionally, one does not hold all but one of the titles in the division if one is not a quality fighter.
When De La Hoya came back available in 2007 Floyd accepted the fight on De La Hoya's terms: gloves, ref, venue, judges, split, etc. He accepted everything because he knew that a win over De La Hoya would put him where he needed to be even though De La Hoya was nowhere near the top (or youngest) dog at the time. Just having the name on the resume would open doors for the Pretty Boy.
NOTE: Mayweather would later get criticized for accepting the fight due to De La Hoya's age; despite the fact that both he AND De La Hoya were in their 30's when they fought and De La Hoya was a champion at 154, having beaten Mayorga a year prior.
A rematch was supposed to happen at 147 between Mayweather and De La Hoya, due to the first fight ending on a SD. It never happened because (A) Mayweather retired due to bodily wear and tear, and (B) De La Hoya retiring due to the loss and issues making weight.
NOTE: Once again, Mayweather's win would be discredited later due to Manny's performance against De La Hoya. That performance took place at 147, and unbiased outlets noted that De La Hoya was significantly drained and had no business that low, given he had gone up and down weight in a short span. Had Floyd fought De La Hoya at that weight, Oscar most certainly would have retired for good, plus excuses about weight tainting the win.
Ultimately, it was the decision to face Baldomir - a fighter that boxing purists didn't really want - that opened every other door for 'Pretty Boy' Floyd Mayweather. That fight essentially forced Oscar's hand, as Floyd had now essentially cleaned out 147 of any credible (i.e. non-'eye test') opposition, leaving only 154 where De La Hoya was still considered top dog.
This is where Crawford is - that crossroads. Too many similarities. He needs to either leave Arum or take fights that purists may not want to see in order to open doors for the fights that you do want to see - and stop complaining about age when the fighters are the same age.
This is why Crawford deserves every bit of criticism about not accepting a fight with Shawn Porter immediately, if for no other reason than to prove he's the top guy - not just be told he's the top guy because of the 'eye test' - but go out there and PROVE IT.
Like the 'Pretty Boy' once had to do.
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