Mayweather - Cementing His Legacy?

Question

It's an old story; Mayweather claims he is the best in the business and when it's all done he'll be labelled as the best all-time to put on the gloves. Of course many will strongly disagree, including myself.

Since Mayweather has been flirting with the idea of retirement, lets just say he plans on giving us three more fights after Oscar De La Hoya. Within those three fights, who would Mayweather need to fight to cement his claim as all-time best? Is it even possible to do that with just three more fights? If not possible, then what three fights would he need to be arguably talked about as a top ten all-timer?

By the way, this is basically a question for those who disagree with his claim as all-time best.

Answer 1

IT doesnt matter WHAT 3 fighters Mayweather beats I still don't think he makes the Top 10 of All time. He could certainly be Top 20 but he's up against some very stiff competition and will have to do A LOT if he thinks he deserves a Top 10 spot.



How do you rank him with Robinson, Moore, Marciano, ALI, Louis, Leonard, Hearns, Duran, Armstrong, Jofee, Charles. I could add many more to this list. I can't justify putting Mayweather WITH this group, much less AHEAD of any of them.



The obvious answer to your original question would be Miguel Cotto. Unfortunately, uncle Oscar put a stop to that and Cotto and Margarito (the other one) are now forced to fight each other because Floyd want's no part of either of them.



Floyd's Dreaming if he thinks another win over DeLa Hoya puts him any higher than he is already. He's also Dreaming if he thinks he doesn't need Cotto or Margarito as he says. He may not need them but he can't go down as ONE OF THE BEST based on his current record. He beat Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya. SO?



I don't think Floyd needs Paul Williams. That fight wouldn't draw flies so I doubt Floyd would even consider it, nor should he. A fight with Paquiao would be more attractive tho, I don't really want to see Manny take that fight. He'd be giving too much away. IT's time for Floyd to step up to a REAL challenge.



NOBODY diserves a shot at Mayweather more than Miguel Cotto. Someone said Winky Wright. You have a better chance of seeing Flying Pink Elephants. Not gonna happen nor should it. If the best MIDDLEWEIGHTS have avoided Wright for years I doubt a Welterweight would want any part of him.



I'd like to see Cotto, NOT another boring WALTZ with Oscar. Still it doesn't matter WHO Floyd fights he's NOT a Top 10er.

Answer 2

First off, as you already pointed out, I don't think that there is anything he could do to be considered the best fighter of all time above Sugar Ray Robinson. Floyd is 31 years old and has had 39 fights- by the time Robinson was 31, he had over 100 fights and fought the best of his era without hesitation, and he didn't demand a crazy amount of money to do it either. That being said, I really do think that Floyd does not get the credit he deserves by A LOT of people- the man is undoubtedly the best pound for pound fighter in the world right now and he has beaten many great fighters from 130 pounds to 154 and has won world titles in 5 different weight divisions; that still does not come close to matching Robinson, but it is pretty damn good. I think that he is already a great fighter, but if he wants to ranked as one of the best pound for pound ALL-TIME, then he would have to fight the number one contender- Miguel Cotto and beat him (or Antonio Margarito if Cotto loses their fight). After that, there is really no one out there who I would care to see him fight because the rest of the guys are honestly not worth his time. The only two welterweights who I think have a decent shot at beating him are Cotto and Margarito (and maybe a focused Paul Williams- like the one that beat Margarito). I still think that Floyd would beat them both, but those guys have the best chance. If he beats De La Hoya again, and then beats the winner of Cotto-Margarito, then I think that he could ride off into the sunset and have a genuine claim to being an all-time great (not the best of all time, but a truly great fighter). I'm not sure about being in the top 10, but at least in the top 50, if not higher, which is a great accomplishment as well when you consider how many great fighters there have been.



Oh, and I still can't fathom how people think that he clearly lost to De La Hoya. Floyd outlanded him like crazy and the fight was really not that controversial. The only controversy in my eyes, was how one judge gave the fight to Oscar. That whole thing about "having to take the title from the champ" is bullsh!t, if you win the fight, then you win- end of story. I'm glad that boxing has at least evolved that much to realize that it was wrong to rip off a fighter just because he was challenging for the title and not defending it. Yes, Oscar fought well, but I don't see how someone could have given him more than 4 rounds, 5 at the most. Oscar THREW more punches, but Floyd LANDED more punches, and the last time I checked, landing flush punches was what won you fights, not just throwing and missing them. If that was the case, then guys like Sam Soliman would be champion. And Floyd Mayweather, Sr. lated recanted on his statement about Oscar winning the fight. And I still think that Floyd beats Oscar more convincingly this time around. The whole thing about "Oscar can win if he just uses his jab" is not true. There is a very simple reason why Oscar stopped jabbing in the first fight and I'll tell you why- Floyd started to counter it with the straight right, and now he will be even more conscience of the jab this time around, so he'll be able to counter it even more. Oscar can fight guys like Steve Forbes 100 times and beat them 100 times, but it doesn't change the fact that he won't beat Floyd in the rematch.

Answer 3

If Floyd finishes his career after 4 more fights at 43-0 and undefeated he can be considered an alltime great especially if he convincingly defeats De La Hoya, fights and defeats Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Carlos Quintana, or Andre Berto, or Paul Williams would greatly enhance his reputation as a great fighter especially if he unifies the belts somehow. I personally do not believe he would have beat Leonard, Hearns, or Duran, but would still be considered great especially if he retires undeated.

Answer 4

Dollbaby....the chances of DLH beating Mayweather are slim to none i think. I mean look at what Forbes did to DLH. Fractured a cheek bone...I mean Forbes is not as fast and not as accurate as Floyd. I mean Floyd really only has the winner of Cotto/Margarito to face. But in all honesty I don't think that will be enough for people. He will always have to fight someone else to maintain his status. As a welterweight he hasn't fought the best thats out there. His best days of boxing were when he was between 130 & 140 because he was a hell of a puncher and had speed second to none at that time.

Answer 5

There is nothing he could do to pass Robinson or Armstrong. Robinson lost only once in a 100 fights to hall of famer Lamotta. He fough at a time when it was harder to win because how active fighters had to be. He avenged his loss to Lamotta 4 times. He is going to be very hard to ever unseat as the P4P king. Even though Floyd is a great fighter he just doesn't have the resume to compare to Robinson.



Armstrong also is near impossible to beat. He held the title in 3 divisons at once. At a time when therer were fewer champs and only 1 real champ in each divison.



To improve his legacy even more Floyd can beat the winner of Cotto / Margarito, unify the 147 title and maybe defend it a couple times.

Answer 6

Well, I firmly believe that Mayweather has already cemented a pretty solid legacy in the other weight classes he has fought in. People tend to forget that, in criticizing him for ducking so many people at welterweight, he was an unstoppable force at four other weight classes. At the same time, I believe that, by retiring without fighting anymore top welterweights, he will end his career on a sour note, which could, in turn, hurt his legacy. Now, I believe, in order to build his legacy on a more sturdy foundation, he needs to fight cotto(or margarito, whoever wins their upcoming bout), williams or quintana (whoever wins their upcoming rematch), and possibly joshua clottey or andre berto. If he wins all those fights, I dont care what anyone says, he will be on my top 25 list of all-time greats, im not sure about top 10.

Answer 7

I basically think it like this... 4 more fights after Oscar Gay La Hoya.



1. Mayweather def. Mosley

2. Mayweather def. Cotto

3. Mayweather def. Winky Wright OR Margarito

4. Mayweather def. Pacquiao at 140lbs.



Beating PacMan would cement Mayweather as he would def. the #2/#3 P4P fighter behind him. That would be a fight everyone would remember.

Answer 8

I'll back up toughguy and the others here wholeheartedly. Mayweather is a fantastic boxer but he needs to beat Cotto, Williams, and the others in his division.



Mayweather is after the big money bouts and who can blame his intentions in that area. He should fight Cotto as there is big money there. The Mosely fight would also be a great fight.

Answer 9

first of all he needs to beat de la hoya convincinly, oscar is past his prime and no way in hell should the best skilled boxer of our era be winning a fight by split decision agasint somoneone who is well past his best days.



after oscar he should fight the winner of cotto and margarito. if he manages to beat margo or cotto then he deserves to be called the real champ at welter.



then he can fight the winner of paul willimas and quintana to see if he can handle other prime talent at welter.



if he gets past williams or quintana his last fight should be against i guess he can fight either shane mosley the guy hes always avoied or vernon forrest who i think would give mayweather fits. if he beats these guys in a dominating fashion then i think he could be concider an all time great .

Answer 10

I don't blame him for going after the money. I would avoid Cotto also if I were him.



He's a very good fighter, but this all time greatest thing is WAY overboard.



I'd rate him higher if he fought the Cotto/Margarito winner next. Then, if he really wants to be bad ***, he should fight Arthur Abraham or Kelly Pavlik. That won't ever happen, but if he did that and actually won, then I would really consider him an all time great.

Answer 11

He needs to beat Miguel Cotto convincingly and go down there and beat the brawler at his own game. He needs to maek margarito look like an idiot making him step in holes and firing quick shots as hes coming in and win both fights convincingly. I think if he wants to be known as a all time great he needs to beat the guys whose knocking people out and impressive young strong star like by the time he fights these guys it wil lbe maybe a year and a half and by then i think guys like andre berto and other young fighters could blossom into a star. I think if he beats these three guys (Margarito, cotto, berto when stronger and more experienced and a star) he will be known as top 10 probally but not all time if he wants to b all time he needs to stay and defend his title against all comers.

Answer 12

I will remember Floyd as the boxer that was too chicken to stand and fight like a real boxer. The boxer who lost against Oscar and Castillo. The boxer that was confronted by Margo in public and Floyd promised him a match, and Floyd did not keep his word. The boxer that only fought for the money, not to please the public that made him rich. The boxer with the worst public relations in the industry of boxing. The most egocentric, self-center low self-esteem personality in the boxing world.

And this is how I remember Floyd Mayweather.

Answer 13

To be honest with you Woody I strongly felt Floyd CLEARLY LOST the De La Hoya fight last May. I know I'm not alone in that sentiment that Oscar's EFFECTIVE AGGRESSION won the day against a hit and run Floyd.

ESPECIALLY in a CHAMPIONSHIP fight. You simpy MUST give the decision to the champion who is MAKING THE FIGHT! Not the frightened kid that pecks and runs.

It may make for cute compubox numbers

But if old timers in the 40's and 50's watched THAT fight they would have BEEN CONVINCED that the MOB was involved when Floyd was announced the winner!

Pitty patting with a fear of mixing it up is NOT the qualities of a great champion.

Sadly though that seems to be all that Floyd is really capable of doing against world class opposition!



Actually I think Floyd is going to make DUBIOUS history by being the first fighter ever to KNOCK OUT a 460 pound man in Wrestlemania LOL then later that year GET KNOCKED OUT BY a 160 pound man in his rematch with Oscar!



Let's remember something VERY IMPORTANT.

Even Floyds OWN FATHER thinks that Oscar beat his son!

I think HIS take on things "JUST MIGHT" be a little more credible than what that twerp Max Kellerman utters!



HOW IN GOD'S NAME DID HE GET THAT JOB???!!!

Answer 14

i dont like mayweather because he is not a real warrior, since people put " defensive fighter" as a sinonimous of boxer, it is when this guy started "cheatting" and i dont know what is he thinking !!!, the best of all times should be a real warrior, someone who makes boxing fights look like the 8th wonder !!! he is not the best and he will never be. a real fighter knows when he really gave a good fight and a good show, mayweather doesnt know the difference between a great fight and winnig because he runs a lot, boxing is not just about win, it is about make the crowd win!!! how ? giving a good fight that they (us) will never forget,.. mayweather.... boring cheatting fights, not the best i seen.

Answer 15

All time great top 10 I don,t think he can be considered and all time great . Who has he beat Oscar who has he beaten Oscar Ricky Hatton is a good fighter Deago Corallas was a good fighter Zab Juda is a basket case now is he a special fighter Yes I think he needs about 4 more years to reach ALL time level

Answer 16

Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and Winner of Carlos Quintana and Paul Williams. If he fought these guys a would give him credit.

Answer 17

he has done a lot and he deserves credit for what he did, i think that if he wants to cement his legacy he would have to fight cotto and perhaps margarito, i doubt that he would go against margarito because margarito is going to lose to cotto, therefore after he beats de la hoya for the second time he is going to go for cotto and then perhaps go against hatton and call it a day, the truth is, he does not have to break his neck just to impress us, despite what some fans and haters might say now, none of them will contribute a cent if he gets pugilistic dementia tommorrow and therefore he is not obligated to fight anyone, it is hard to go against 39 opponents (including judah,corrales and castillo) and come out undefeated, people will say what they want to say but at the end of the day the only reason you and i are talking about him today is because he is yet to be beaten.