Maybe Mayweather’s Boasting Wasn’t Quite so Crazy After All
Published May 04 2010 by: Simba Sana | Follow us on Facebook & on Twitter
In the Aftermath of Mayweather vs. Mosley, Mayweather's Legacy is Enhanced, while Mosley Should Retire Before it's too Late
Many people have compared Floyd Mayweather to Roy Jones because both have been criticized for not always using their enormous talent to compete against the toughest available opponents. Mayweather’s victory over Shane Mosley last Saturday demonstrated that he possesses something Jones lacks: true grit (Jones admitted as much during his post-fight interview after facing Tarver for the 3rd time).
Mosley tested Mayweather in a way he’s never been tested before. During the 2nd round of their fight, Mosley had Mayweather in trouble; especially after a looping right hand landed beside his left ear near the 1 minute mark. Mayweather’s knees actually buckled forcing him to grab and back-peddle to the ropes. At that moment many of the attendees and pay-per-view customers, who undoubtedly paid their money hoping to witness the dismantling of the flamboyant braggart, probably felt it was only a matter of time before Mayweather’s 0 would go.
Yet Mosley, a guy whose heart is beyond question, failed to secure the coveted knockout he kept promising to deliver, and Mayweather not only survived the assault, he regrouped, walked forward and became the “dragon” Nazeem Richardson, Mosley’s trainer, so astutely perceived was inside of him all along. Mayweather followed through on his frequent claim of having an ability to adjust to any fight situation by placing both hands in front of his face, landing left hooks followed by straight rights, and standing toe to toe.
He used frequent feints, stiff jabs and movement to effectively keep Mosley from getting into any kind of meaningful rhythm. Instead, Mosley fought tentatively and seemed reluctant to engage. Mosley never imposed his will on Mayweather and the right hands that kept slamming into his face took away his immense fighting spirit after the 6th round.
So many of us have been fooled thinking that Mayweather’s flamboyant behavior and loud boasting, which is generally associated with weak men, meant he did not possess the internal fortitude needed to overcome a difficult challenge. With this victory, Mayweather can begin to silence those who have criticized him for not facing the top fighters in the welterweight division.
Mayweather vs. Mosley lacked the intensity and drama of Leonard vs. Hearns I, but Mayweather displayed the same kind of heart which secured Ray Leonard that victory years ago. Like Ali, Mayweather has shown that he can talk it and walk it! Now Mayweather’s claim of being greater than Ray Robinson and Ali would only cause him to be confined to a minimum or medium security psychiatric facility instead of solitary confinement in maximum security.
With this victory the stage has been reset for negotiating the highly anticipated match-up between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Money and drug-testing seem to be the primary obstacles for securing the fight. If the pay-per-view numbers from Saturday’s fight are really strong then the Pacquiao camp may have a tougher time garnering a 50/50 split.
The drug-testing issue looms as the big hurdle, however. Mosley’s willingness to undergo the Olympic-style testing may give Mayweather a bit more leverage in the expected negotiations, and Pacquiao’s continued refusal to fully submit to the same tests may not go over so well with the public.
If the fight can be secured and Mayweather gets the victory to reclaim his #1 pound for pound crown, his legacy as an all-time great fighter will be firmly secured provided that he suffers no upsets before retiring from the sport. A victory over a bigger opponent such as Paul Williams or Sergio Martinez would certainly extend his legacy to the point where a young fella may not get chased out of a room of elderly men for bringing up Mayweather’s name in a discussion of top twenty all-time great fighters.
Regarding Mosley...
For a long term top-tier fighter to reportedly allow an attorney, with mixed loyalty, to secure a mere 23% of the guaranteed purse from Saturday’s mega-fight is a bit surprising and may be an indication that Mayweather had a psychological advantage going into the fight.
Mosley’s legacy was already secure before entering the fight. His dominating stint as a lightweight, two victories over De La Hoya (despite the admitted steroid usage) and his willingness to face tough opponents when he didn’t have to have already established him as a future first ballot hall of famer and the 3rd greatest sugarman behind Robinson and Leonard. A victory over Mayweather would have certainly enhanced his legacy but the loss should not hurt Mosley’s historical standing.
What about Mosley’s fight future? The best options may be for him to reschedule the aborted match with Andre Berto or even rematch Miguel Cotto, provided he defeats Yuri Foreman on June 5th. Another challenge he may consider is facing the winner of this weekend’s match between Paul Williams and Kermit Cintron.
I am of the opinion that Mosley seriously consider retiring from boxing because I’ve noticed some slurred speech during recent interviews. More victories, million-dollar paydays and even an enhanced legacy are not worth one’s diminished quality of life.
Mayweather has the frame of a full-fledged welterweight. Why does he continue to seek out blown up lightweight opponents? and how does doing so increase his pound-4-pound status?
He’s the best 147, and I think he can beat the blown-up miniweight in Manny Pac. But this has no bearing on who the pound-4-pound champ is.
Mayweather’s lack of confidence in himself is what’s holding him back. He don’t think he can take on Paul Williams, Miguel Cotto.
Mosley looked defeated before he entered the ring saturday, and as good as Mayweather is his skills have slightly faded. He’s hitting harder than ever (with gloves and elbows), his head movement is still good, his hand speed is superb, but his footwork slowing. Winning 117-113 to Mosley was an underperformance on the part of Mayweather.
If that’s the best he can do than he’s better off trying to convince himself verbally that he’s best, and not in the ring. Not that he plans to impress anyone in the ring, except for a few easily amused sportscasters, who’s minds have already been made.
if i was pacman i would not bend over to accomodate floyd. floyd is an
opponent and not the boxing commission. cleaning up the sport is just a ploy by floyd to have pshycological advantage over his opponent. credit should be given to pacquiao for standing up to floyd. while it
is true that boxing needs this fight, yet i feel that the level
playing field is one administered by the proper governing body and not
dictated by the self serving terms of one fighter: mayweather. it is not for pacquiao to prove that he is not using; he, nor a member of his boxing family has ever been on record of using ped or convicted of any criminal demeanor, the exact opposite of the mayweathers.
a perception of decency and fairness is at issue here and the mayweathers are being given a pass by some sports writers unscrupoluos promoters. what a shame! no wonder, society in general
is not tuning in.
I d0nt impress with mayweather. He just win unanimous again. If pacquaio is mosley opponent im sure its gonna be a kn0ck out,. If they fight mayweather will borrow a face to a dog. Im sure pacman will crush his big mouth.
Floyd Gayweather…2nd in p4p rankings, no title belt, using xylocaine for his brittle hands, loves a lot of money that he’s getting from the fans but never loved the fans as he stated, claiming he’s the face of boxing and all roads lead to him, claiming he’s better than Ali, Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard, claiming he’s the best and that Pacman is a one dimensional fighter that’s why he could beat him but demanding a stupid Olympic style drug testing? Pacman is heading to your road but you’re blocking him by demanding that silly Olympic style drug testing? Oh what a fraud!!! Mind boggling!! Really a cowardly act of a silly, ludicrous, dumb, brainless, silly, witless, stupid, crazy, unintelligent, senseless person!!
Who R U Kidding?
Pacman Pacquiao is the best out there p4p #1 =^_^=
You Floyd Gayweather have to fight and beat the best in order to be the best =^_^=
he can’t even knockout an old man…he has a strong big mouth…not a big puncher…try to fight an amateur boxer..just for a points and he will loose…gayweather all he got is a big mouth not a big heart…
Why is it ok for other welterweights to challenge manny pacquiao, but when mayweather does it its a problem? Mayweather isnt the biggest welter out there. infact he is smaller than anyone in that weight division besides Pac. Quit hatin on the mans career. when he retired everyone was screaming Pac would destroy Mayweather! Now your giving Pac an excuse before the fight is even signed. Pathetic. Mosley bigger than Mayweather, De la Hoya bigger than Mayweather, Baldomir bigger than Mayweather Clottey bigger than Mayweather Cotto bigger than Mayweather. Shoot his next fight is at junior middleweight! so stop crying