Floyd Mayweather Jr. claiming he is greatest ever : “I think that it’s hard for a guy to beat me.”
Retired five-division champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. has restated his claim of being the greatest of all time in the sport of boxing.
In an interview with Club Shay Shay, the confident American boxer compared himself to boxing legends and listed reasons why he believes he surpasses them.
“Among all the fighters in the history of boxing, I have achieved more than any other fighter in the sport’s history,” Mayweather asserted.
He questioned the number of world champions that Rocky Marciano defeated, implying that his own accomplishments surpass Marciano’s. Mayweather confidently stated, “I have defeated more champions who will enter the Hall of Fame than Marciano did in his entire career. So we can exclude him. He finished 49-0, and I am 50-0.”
Mayweather, now 43 years old, last competed in 2017 against former UFC featherweight and lightweight world champion Conor McGregor, defeating him by way of tenth-round technical knockout. He retired with an impeccable record of 50-0, including 27 knockouts.
Regarding other boxing legends, Mayweather questioned the narrative surrounding Muhammad Ali, pointing out that Ali was defeated by a fighter with only seven professional fights, referring to Leon Spinks. He also stated that Ken Norton actually beat Ali in all three of their fights if one were to review the matches objectively.
Mayweather further scrutinized the accomplishments of Sugar Ray Robinson, who had approximately 200 fights, emphasizing that he had defeated more world champions than Robinson did.
Mayweather’s statements showcase his confidence and belief in his own achievements, as he aims to solidify his claim as the greatest boxer of all time.
When asked about why he doesn’t receive the recognition he believes he deserves, Mayweather bluntly responded, “Jealousy. I speak my mind.”
Floyd Mayweather Jr. holds a firm belief that he is the greatest fighter in the history of boxing, often referring to himself as “TBE” (The Best Ever).
However, humility has never been Mayweather’s strong suit, and he attempted to showcase a hint of it during a recent conference call. Yet, by the end of his remarks, he made it clear that he is unconcerned about others’ opinions of his declaration.
He expressed his respect for past champions like Muhammad Ali, acknowledging Ali as a legend and stating, “I respect Ali like I respect any other champion.”
Mayweather went on to assert that he feels he has accomplished everything he could in the sport of boxing over the course of his 30-plus-year career. He believes he has achieved as much in the sport as Ali did, further solidifying his self-belief in his own greatness.
With an impressive record of 50-0 and 27 knockouts, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has never experienced defeat in his boxing career. He has achieved world titles in five different weight classes, ranging from super featherweight to junior middleweight.
Mayweather clarified that his comments about Muhammad Ali were not meant as disrespect, acknowledging Ali’s greatness and the significance of his stance on important social issues during his era.
While Ali’s principled stand against being inducted into the armed forces during the Vietnam War is unrelated to the discussion of their in-ring abilities, Mayweather seemed to be attempting to display a degree of respect towards Ali.
However, Mayweather made a thought-provoking statement. He mentioned, “I think that it’s hard for a guy to beat me. I’m still sharp, still very, very sharp at the age of 38. Still going strong at the age of 38.” He reiterated that his self-proclaimed status as “TBE” (The Best Ever) is not intended as disrespect towards Ali, drawing a parallel to Ali’s own self-proclaimed title of “The Greatest.”
Mayweather’s confidence in his skills and his belief that he is the best in the sport is evident in his statements, highlighting his continued sharpness and success even at the age of 38.
Indeed, Mayweather’s longevity in the sport of boxing, approaching his 40th birthday, is an impressive feat. Longevity itself is a noteworthy aspect of a boxer’s career. However, there is a distinction between longevity and excellence.
Muhammad Ali’s greatness is unquestionable. Despite facing defeat five times in his 61 fights, he had a remarkable eighth-round knockout victory over George Foreman in 1974, a triumph that surpasses anything Mayweather has accomplished in a single fight. Foreman had been dominating his opponents in the ring, swiftly defeating the likes of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in just two rounds.
Ali utilized his rope-a-dope tactic, enduring the punishment and then seizing the opportunity to deliver a powerful blow to Foreman.
When asked about Mayweather’s claims of surpassing Ali, Foreman commented, “Mayweather—and this fight—everything that he says amounts to be like one of those guys in church saying, ‘Amen, amen,’ and the more he says it, the more you want to ‘amen’ him and become friends with him. Maybe he will loan you a couple of bucks.”
Foreman acknowledged Mayweather’s talent, even if one doesn’t particularly like him. He emphasized that Mayweather’s skills are noteworthy, stating that one must be exceptionally good to have people dislike them. Foreman, as a legendary boxer himself, recognized that Mayweather has the ability to contribute to the future of boxing matches, which is something that he and Ali can no longer do. Foreman concluded by stating that if Mayweather needs to use his words to garner attention, then so be it.
The viewpoints presented highlight the complexity of comparing boxing legends like Ali and Mayweather, taking into account both their accomplishments and the subjective opinions surrounding their greatness.
The discussion surrounding Mayweather’s claim of being the best ever (“TBE”) does not serve as an endorsement for that title, nor does it provide a definitive answer. Many boxing experts throughout the years have regarded Sugar Ray Robinson as the greatest of all time. Robinson’s career spanned an era when fighters competed more frequently, and he had an exceptional record starting 40-0. He held titles in multiple weight divisions, fought in various weight classes, and finished his career with a record of 173-19-6.
The challenge arises when comparing fighters from different eras. It becomes difficult to determine how Mayweather would have fared against the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, or Roberto Duran, who fought in weight classes that Mayweather has also competed in but in a different era.
Mayweather deserves credit as an all-time great, widely regarded as the best defensive fighter by many fans and experts. However, his offensive style may not be as thrilling to some. The challenge lies in comparing fighters who competed decades apart, with Robinson’s career spanning over 70 years ago.
Mayweather acknowledges that he will face criticism for his claims, but he remains steadfast in his belief. He understands that just as he is being compared to Robinson, another fighter may come along in the future claiming to be better than Mayweather, leading to further criticism.
Ultimately, the debate of who is the greatest boxer of all time remains subjective, influenced by personal opinions, historical context, and the challenges of comparing fighters from different eras.
