Recently while compiling a list of what I believed to be the rankings of the best musical acts of all time, I came to the conclusion that this may in fact be an impossible task. How can one standardize and order something with so many different attributes and characteristics, something that is so very personal and unique to each and every person? It can't be done. However, in the world of sports these types of lists are more easily constructed and defended.
In anticipation of an upcoming Mayweather/Marquez boxing match (a fight Mayweather dominated) I sat down at my computer in hopes of finding reputable pound for pound best boxers of all-time list. After an effective googling I was directed towards a list compiled by the writers at ESPN.com. Their opinion of the best of all-time, according to this particular list, is the late great Sugar Ray Robinson. It is the general consensus among those who have ever watched any amount of boxing, as well as, most mammals with the capacity to communicate, that Mr. Robinson is deserving of such a title. So the list starts out pretty accurate. So now I'm asking myself, who is number two? Alright I will be honest, I'm actually asking myself where is Floyd Mayweather Jr. on the list? I won't have to look very far down right? Floyd is one of the last tested and truly undefeated fighters; he is a guy who has stopped legends in their tracks, knocked out other undefeated fighters, and set boxing pay per view records. Feats such as the ones Mayweather has accomplished must make him one of the best of all-time in any informed sports analyst’s rankings. So was Floyd number two? Close... He was ranked number 48. Yes, you are reading that right. Forty-eight. Four, eight. As in two better than fifty!
Most casual sporting fans would have an extremely difficult time naming forty-eight boxers; however, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not only a well-known name in boxing, he is the a well-known name in general. In a sport that has been declared dead for years, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a name known by t’weens and housewives; that is saying something in itself. Alright, I'll agree, fame and skill are not always synonymous, but it's not like Floyd has become a household name for his long drives down the Los Angeles freeway in a white Bronco; the guy sets pay-per-view records. If it was not for the fact that Floyd Jr. Jr. Jr. will be born and promptly cleaned off with hundred dollar bills and then laid to rest on stacks of stacks, then I'd feel sorry to man nicknamed Money.
The pride of Grand Rapids Michigan has been getting the shaft for years. After a marvelous amateur career, Floyd followed in the footsteps of many boxing hopefuls and competed for his country in the Olympics. In the semi-finals after the dust had settled the referee raised Mayweather's hand. The problem however was that this referee had suffered from a mistake, something that I explained earlier on. Assumptions can be disappointing, and in this case even embarrassing. The poor referee, having had too closely watched the fight, he had made the mistake of assuming the better boxer and the individual who had a better fight would be judged the winner. Without listening to the decision the judges made, this referee raised Mayweather's hand when in fact he was not the victor. The United States Olympic Committee filed against the judges but without missing a beat Mayweather moved on, reasonably undiscouraged.
Mayweather turned into a professional boxer, following in the footsteps of both his father and his uncle Roger. As a pro in the super featherweight division Floyd wasted no time walking through opponents. I remember one of the first fights of Mayweather’s that I watched. It was against a white fighter who reminded me of a Little Mac opponent in Mike Tyson's Punch Out for the Nintendo Entertainment System; I think his name was Glass Joe? When the bell rang both fighters moved towards the centre of the ring. Mayweather seemed to float just millimeters (US readers please refer to inches) above the canvas while Glass Joe moved very awkwardly, almost as though he was lugging something behind him. Glass Joe hauled his heavy feet in a Keyser Söze-esque demeanor and as these two athletes approached one another, something amazing happened. From Mayweather’s body, a crisp straight jab was launched. The punch hit Glass Joe flush in the face and his head snapped straight back. The punch was perfect and the result was an animation that you would except to see from a bad actor doing a Rocky impression. The punch was absorbed by the entire face and a look of pain resonated in the white fighter’s eyes. It was beautiful! Children boxing all over the world are told the importance of the jab and how it sets up all the other punches. I think Mayweather's father and uncle made sure he knew this tidbit because in the following seconds everything came together. Soon, Glass Joe got a good look at the ceiling and Mayweather walked away with a KO added to his record. I was thoroughly impressed with the dismantling and it was the start of my Money May fandom. Many of Mayweather's fights throughout his career have ended in similar fashion; however, not all his opponents were videogame character look-a-likes.
Floyd captured the super featherweight title in little to no time, and after a couple of title defenses he began to dream big. Floyd had money on his mind so he did what any boxer needs to do to make more money; Floyd put on weight. The victories continued and Mayweather beat the best of super featherweight, lightweight and super lightweight divisions. He faced both hall-of-famers and the previously undefeated boxers and rolled through anyone who was put in front of him. To this date Mayweather has not so much even been knocked down by another boxer in the ring. Although Mayweather’s entire career has been epic, most boxing fans memory is only of a fighter’s fresh battles. Luckily Mayweather’s resume as of recent (with the exception of a brutal loss in Dancing with the Stars) is stellar. In the past few years Mayweather has beaten Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and most recently Manuel Juan Marquez. These are all boxers with extensive fan bases, boxers who have had their share of glory, and boxers who can attest to Mayweather’s boxing superiority.
To better understand my anger towards those employed by the Entertainment Sports Programming Network I will help dissect the list for you. I have already passionately defended Ray Robinson at number one. Second on the list is Muhammad Ali, followed by Henry Armstrong, Joe Louis, Willie Pep and Roberto Duran. I am going to try my hardest to stay away from biting into the overrated Muhammad Ali, but I will point out his five losses. Five losses are still very low but you must look at the fact that besides the destruction of Sonny Liston by a young Cassius Clay, most of Ali’s famous fights were far from easy victories. Mayweather has destroyed legends; Ali was almost murdered in the ring on a number of occasions. Henry Armstrong has been dead for 20 years and that’s with him living to be an old man. He was born before World War I and ended his career with 21 defeats. Not to put down old-time boxing, because I do believe Jack Johnson was one of the best of all-time, but come on! None of this guy’s fans are even still alive. I am sure he was good back in the 1930’s but boxing has changed. Henry Armstrong is on the list because someone at ESPN had a grandfather who used to talk about boxing with them when they were a child. “I remember when boxing was good. Homicide Hank fought 17 times in 1944! These fighters today only have two or three big fights a year. His fights were always on the radio and it was so exciting to listen to. Those were the days.” Sorry grandpy. I don’t buy it. I think these are the days and I think Mayweather would hurt Homicide Hank in ways he had never before seen regardless if they were wearing Everlast gloves or mittens made of leather.
In case you are not yet convinced I am going to take a look further down the list to help prove my point. Further down the list, but still a head of Floyd are the following boxers (Note: I will not mention the large amount of individuals who are not even household names in their own homes). Roy Jones Jr.: At 36 years old Roy Jones Jr. was knocked out in the second round of a fight by Antonio Tarver. Jones to this date has 5 losses. Evander Holyfield: He has 10 losses in 54 fights, has been accused of using steroids, and has lost most big fights he has been in. Pernell Whitaker: He ended his career with 40 victories (the amount Mayweather has right now). Did I mention he also lost 4 times? Jake LaMotta: He was the story behind a great movie (Raging Bull) but the guy admitted to throwing fights for the mob, 19 defeats. Oscar De La Hoya: Floyd beat him. How does this make any sense? Marco Antonio Barrera: Juan Manuel Marquez beat Barrera and Floyd destroyed Marquez, 7 losses and growing.
There are so many other names on that list to ridicule and arguments to make. I feel like I could write 2000 words on every boxer above Floyd on the list; the only hard part would be getting someone to read these words. The whole point of these arguments was not to bash other great athletes, but more to point out how spectacular Floyd is. I feel blessed to live in the era of Floyd Mayweather. He is a Michael Jordan, a Wayne Gretzky, a Tiger Woods, a Pele, a true great. Unfortunately I have missed Joe Lewis’ reign, I have missed the Rumble in the Jungle, and I have missed a young man named Michael Tyson win the heavyweight championship of world. However, I am not depressed. I get to watch Floyd Mayweather fight in his prime. I will be able to tell my grandkids about Old Pretty Boy Floyd Money Mayweather and how boxing isn’t like it used to be.
In anticipation of an upcoming Mayweather/Marquez boxing match (a fight Mayweather dominated) I sat down at my computer in hopes of finding reputable pound for pound best boxers of all-time list. After an effective googling I was directed towards a list compiled by the writers at ESPN.com. Their opinion of the best of all-time, according to this particular list, is the late great Sugar Ray Robinson. It is the general consensus among those who have ever watched any amount of boxing, as well as, most mammals with the capacity to communicate, that Mr. Robinson is deserving of such a title. So the list starts out pretty accurate. So now I'm asking myself, who is number two? Alright I will be honest, I'm actually asking myself where is Floyd Mayweather Jr. on the list? I won't have to look very far down right? Floyd is one of the last tested and truly undefeated fighters; he is a guy who has stopped legends in their tracks, knocked out other undefeated fighters, and set boxing pay per view records. Feats such as the ones Mayweather has accomplished must make him one of the best of all-time in any informed sports analyst’s rankings. So was Floyd number two? Close... He was ranked number 48. Yes, you are reading that right. Forty-eight. Four, eight. As in two better than fifty!
Most casual sporting fans would have an extremely difficult time naming forty-eight boxers; however, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not only a well-known name in boxing, he is the a well-known name in general. In a sport that has been declared dead for years, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a name known by t’weens and housewives; that is saying something in itself. Alright, I'll agree, fame and skill are not always synonymous, but it's not like Floyd has become a household name for his long drives down the Los Angeles freeway in a white Bronco; the guy sets pay-per-view records. If it was not for the fact that Floyd Jr. Jr. Jr. will be born and promptly cleaned off with hundred dollar bills and then laid to rest on stacks of stacks, then I'd feel sorry to man nicknamed Money.
The pride of Grand Rapids Michigan has been getting the shaft for years. After a marvelous amateur career, Floyd followed in the footsteps of many boxing hopefuls and competed for his country in the Olympics. In the semi-finals after the dust had settled the referee raised Mayweather's hand. The problem however was that this referee had suffered from a mistake, something that I explained earlier on. Assumptions can be disappointing, and in this case even embarrassing. The poor referee, having had too closely watched the fight, he had made the mistake of assuming the better boxer and the individual who had a better fight would be judged the winner. Without listening to the decision the judges made, this referee raised Mayweather's hand when in fact he was not the victor. The United States Olympic Committee filed against the judges but without missing a beat Mayweather moved on, reasonably undiscouraged.
Mayweather turned into a professional boxer, following in the footsteps of both his father and his uncle Roger. As a pro in the super featherweight division Floyd wasted no time walking through opponents. I remember one of the first fights of Mayweather’s that I watched. It was against a white fighter who reminded me of a Little Mac opponent in Mike Tyson's Punch Out for the Nintendo Entertainment System; I think his name was Glass Joe? When the bell rang both fighters moved towards the centre of the ring. Mayweather seemed to float just millimeters (US readers please refer to inches) above the canvas while Glass Joe moved very awkwardly, almost as though he was lugging something behind him. Glass Joe hauled his heavy feet in a Keyser Söze-esque demeanor and as these two athletes approached one another, something amazing happened. From Mayweather’s body, a crisp straight jab was launched. The punch hit Glass Joe flush in the face and his head snapped straight back. The punch was perfect and the result was an animation that you would except to see from a bad actor doing a Rocky impression. The punch was absorbed by the entire face and a look of pain resonated in the white fighter’s eyes. It was beautiful! Children boxing all over the world are told the importance of the jab and how it sets up all the other punches. I think Mayweather's father and uncle made sure he knew this tidbit because in the following seconds everything came together. Soon, Glass Joe got a good look at the ceiling and Mayweather walked away with a KO added to his record. I was thoroughly impressed with the dismantling and it was the start of my Money May fandom. Many of Mayweather's fights throughout his career have ended in similar fashion; however, not all his opponents were videogame character look-a-likes.
Floyd captured the super featherweight title in little to no time, and after a couple of title defenses he began to dream big. Floyd had money on his mind so he did what any boxer needs to do to make more money; Floyd put on weight. The victories continued and Mayweather beat the best of super featherweight, lightweight and super lightweight divisions. He faced both hall-of-famers and the previously undefeated boxers and rolled through anyone who was put in front of him. To this date Mayweather has not so much even been knocked down by another boxer in the ring. Although Mayweather’s entire career has been epic, most boxing fans memory is only of a fighter’s fresh battles. Luckily Mayweather’s resume as of recent (with the exception of a brutal loss in Dancing with the Stars) is stellar. In the past few years Mayweather has beaten Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and most recently Manuel Juan Marquez. These are all boxers with extensive fan bases, boxers who have had their share of glory, and boxers who can attest to Mayweather’s boxing superiority.
To better understand my anger towards those employed by the Entertainment Sports Programming Network I will help dissect the list for you. I have already passionately defended Ray Robinson at number one. Second on the list is Muhammad Ali, followed by Henry Armstrong, Joe Louis, Willie Pep and Roberto Duran. I am going to try my hardest to stay away from biting into the overrated Muhammad Ali, but I will point out his five losses. Five losses are still very low but you must look at the fact that besides the destruction of Sonny Liston by a young Cassius Clay, most of Ali’s famous fights were far from easy victories. Mayweather has destroyed legends; Ali was almost murdered in the ring on a number of occasions. Henry Armstrong has been dead for 20 years and that’s with him living to be an old man. He was born before World War I and ended his career with 21 defeats. Not to put down old-time boxing, because I do believe Jack Johnson was one of the best of all-time, but come on! None of this guy’s fans are even still alive. I am sure he was good back in the 1930’s but boxing has changed. Henry Armstrong is on the list because someone at ESPN had a grandfather who used to talk about boxing with them when they were a child. “I remember when boxing was good. Homicide Hank fought 17 times in 1944! These fighters today only have two or three big fights a year. His fights were always on the radio and it was so exciting to listen to. Those were the days.” Sorry grandpy. I don’t buy it. I think these are the days and I think Mayweather would hurt Homicide Hank in ways he had never before seen regardless if they were wearing Everlast gloves or mittens made of leather.
In case you are not yet convinced I am going to take a look further down the list to help prove my point. Further down the list, but still a head of Floyd are the following boxers (Note: I will not mention the large amount of individuals who are not even household names in their own homes). Roy Jones Jr.: At 36 years old Roy Jones Jr. was knocked out in the second round of a fight by Antonio Tarver. Jones to this date has 5 losses. Evander Holyfield: He has 10 losses in 54 fights, has been accused of using steroids, and has lost most big fights he has been in. Pernell Whitaker: He ended his career with 40 victories (the amount Mayweather has right now). Did I mention he also lost 4 times? Jake LaMotta: He was the story behind a great movie (Raging Bull) but the guy admitted to throwing fights for the mob, 19 defeats. Oscar De La Hoya: Floyd beat him. How does this make any sense? Marco Antonio Barrera: Juan Manuel Marquez beat Barrera and Floyd destroyed Marquez, 7 losses and growing.
There are so many other names on that list to ridicule and arguments to make. I feel like I could write 2000 words on every boxer above Floyd on the list; the only hard part would be getting someone to read these words. The whole point of these arguments was not to bash other great athletes, but more to point out how spectacular Floyd is. I feel blessed to live in the era of Floyd Mayweather. He is a Michael Jordan, a Wayne Gretzky, a Tiger Woods, a Pele, a true great. Unfortunately I have missed Joe Lewis’ reign, I have missed the Rumble in the Jungle, and I have missed a young man named Michael Tyson win the heavyweight championship of world. However, I am not depressed. I get to watch Floyd Mayweather fight in his prime. I will be able to tell my grandkids about Old Pretty Boy Floyd Money Mayweather and how boxing isn’t like it used to be.
Written by Aaron Bawn
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