"I beat everybody. Right now the top guys in boxing are (Manny) Pacquiao, Canelo (Alvarez), (Miguel) Cotto, and of course I faced all three. And we know what the results were."
Those were the words expressed by Floyd Mayweather Jr. during an interview with Bob Velin of USA Today. True enough, Mayweather is considerably one of the greatest boxers of all time. However, such greatness seemed to have eluded the eyes of most boxing fanatics, as Mayweather is likewise considered as one of the most hated and controversial sportsmen alive. A testament to this was the fact that he was booed by boxing fans during his weigh in, entrance, and even when he was announced as the winner of the recently concluded 'The Fight of the Century' against Manny Pacquiao.
However, stripping away the biases perhaps stemming from the outside-the-ring issues and the 'self-created glitz and glamour of the boxing champ', one could not simply help but notice and even appreciate the greatness of Mayweather. On a published article via bleacherreport by Kelsey McCarson, he highlighted some facts about the unparalleled boxing career of Mayweather. And what follows below are some of the highlighted Mayweather facts.
- "He's as good a fighter as boxing has ever produced. In fact, The Sweet Science's Matt McGrain considers him one of the top 25 fighters in boxing history."
- From this era alone, "as soon as the bell rang on fight night, for every single fight of his 19-year career, Mayweather was probably going to win. And then he did."
- Mayweather is considered as "a masterclass boxer of the highest order with an unrivaled work ethic that focused on fundamental boxing skills from the earliest age possible."
- "Mayweather is a superb defender. Too often, he is labeled by misinformed fans as someone who "runs" away from contact. And Mayweather's attributes don't stop at his impeccable defense. He's an exceptional counterpuncher with one of the best hit rates in history."
The things which were enumerated about Mayweather were some of the most notable achievements and feat of greatness that the boxing champ has showcased throughout his boxing career. Coming from a Pacquiao fan, even though most of us consider Mayweather as an undesirable role model, but we still have to give credit to the guy who sure knows how to punch.
