I've been telling people since 2001 that “Pretty Boy” Floyd
Mayweather Jr. is the top Pound For
Pound fighter in the boxing game. Before
then I always respected Mayweather’s boxing skills and craft, but he didn’t seem
to have the punching power to really compete for the Mythical P4P title. My
perception of Floyd changed on January 20th, 2001 when Floyd
challenged Diego Corrales to unify the WBC/IBF super featherweight titles. I
had the utmost respect for Corrales, who was a monster at 130, with a 33-0
record with 27 knockouts. Corrales was taller and stronger then Floyd. But
Mayweather was the master that night, destroying Corrales, knocking him down
five times and dominating every minute of that match. I was sold on Floyd from
there out. He was the king, the best in boxing. And he took on good opposition
after the Corrales fight, names like Carlos Hernandez, Sharmba Mitchell, Zab Judah, and tough guy Jose Luis Castillo
twice, He gained superstar status after
beating Oscar De La Hoya on a split decision in May of 2007, but here is where
I believe his legacy took a turn.
Although I felt he dominated this contest, Oscar had some good rounds, connecting
with his jab, and was convincing enough that one of the judge scored the fight
in his favor 115-113 (the other two judges had it 116-112 and 115-113 for
Mayweather). Since the De La Hoya fight Floyd
has been very selective about whom he fights. Smaller guys like Ricky Hatton
and J.M Marquez. Past their prime (though still dangerous) Miguel Cotto and Shane
Mosley, and the inexperienced Victor Ortiz. Floyd now fights infrequently, only
once in 2009, 2010, 2011 and it appears he will only fight once in 2012. In
Floyd’s last fight against Miguel Cotto, Floyd had his toughest test in some
time. Losing a few rounds to a top ten pound for pound guy like Cotto is no
disgrace, and Floyd was in fine form, dominating the fight for the most part on
his way to a unanimous decision. But the ease in which Cotto was able to land
his left jab, consistently bludgeoning it into Floyd’s face again and again was
revealing to me. I just can’t believe that vintage Floyd would have been hit
repeatedly with this punch. Cotto is not known for his hand speed, yet he was
able to connect with counter shots throughout this fight. Since this win Floyd has
served two months in a Las Vegas jail for a domestic battery case. His next
opponent is uncertain, but doubtlessly he will fight again. At this point in
Floyd’s career he commands huge purses for his matches. And in the last four
years he has been very careful when he chooses his opponents. If the “0” goes he knows he will be greatly
diminished as a box office star. Much of his box office appeal can be
attributed to boxing fans that pay to see his first loss. It is not for his scintillating
performances in the ring. He has also ducked the one fighter who clearly could
knock Floyd off his P4P perch, Manny Pacquiao. This obvious match should have
been made years ago, but with both guys getting massive eight figure paydays
against lesser oppositions,, why risk the “Money Train” by fighting each other?
After winning the Lt. Heavyweight Gold Medal at the 2004
Olympics in Athens, Andre Ward embarked on a professional career that is now at
26-0 with 14 knockouts. After an early career feasting on handpicked opponents,
in 2009 he entered the Super Six Boxing Classic, a round robin style tournament
pitting the best boxers at 168 pounds (with the possible exception of Lucian
Bute, the then IBF Super Middleweight champion). Andre Ward came though this
tournament a star, defeating highly regarded WBA Champion Mikkel Kessler, former
IBF Middleweight Camp and current WBO Super Middleweight Champ Arthur Abrahim,
and former two time WBC Super Middleweight Champ and current IBF Super
Middleweight Champ Carl Froch. Not only did he win these fights, he dominated.
In his last fight he again dominated a highly regarded champion, lineal Lt
Heavyweight Champion “Bad” Chad Dawson. Against Dawson, Ward showed the power in
his left hand, dropping Bad Chad three times, forcing him to quit in the 10th
round. Andre Ward is now 28 and at or
near his prime. To determine who the
current P4P king is I have to ask these questions. Which boxer is actively
taking on the best boxers in his respective division? Is he dominating his
weight class? Does he display the true attributes of a champion in the ring? Is
he currently fighting at the highest level of the game in terms of speed, ring
generalship, and power? Does anyone really believe at this point in Floyd’s career
he could survive a Super Six style tournament in his weight class and come out unscathed
as Ward has done? Floyd now fights around 154. I could envision a tournament
consisting of guys like Canelo Alverez, Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, maybe
young lions like Erislandy Lara and/or Vanes Martirosyan. You
think he would dominate this group like Ward did in his tournament? Floyd could convince me of his right to the
P4P title if he would take the Pacquiao fight and not subject fight fans to a
fourth Pacquiao-Marquez fight. Boxing Heads have been deprived of a magical
night by Floyd and Manny, two guys not willing to risk it against each other. I
do know this; Andre Ward will not duck anyone. Obviously Ward doesn't have as
much to lose as Floyd, but maybe that is the point. Over the year I've argued Floyd's case for P4P as much as
anyone, but if he isn't willing to risk his "0" against the obvious
guy, maybe it is time to give the mythical crown to Andre S.O.G. Ward, a
warrior who is willing to fight the best.
