Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins (Post 11479905)

That is a great piece with a horrible paragraph that should have been cut out. It ignores the fact that Chavez lost to Meldrick Taylor and Pernell Whitaker, but was handed the worst stoppage in boxing history (with an assist from fat **** Lou Duva) and a travesty of a decision.

Truth is, it downplays Mayweather's accomplishments by comparing him to Lopez. Mayweather, even when being picky about his opponents, beat better opponents across broader weight classes.

Also, I don't think most serious boxing fans consider Mayweather's boasts about being TBE as anything more than that, although I do think that his style is such that he could beat Duran, who was slower of foot and had a much smaller reach and was prone to frustration against defensively adept fighters.

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth (Post 11477299)

Well, as suspected, this fight should have taken place at least 5 years ago.

It's a shame that such a hyped event lacked much punch in the end. Even though, anyone familiar with Mayweather knows that he can be amazing from a technical standpoint, and probably the most efficient tactician in the sport ever.

The flipside is his fights can be boring to the casual fan of boxing and vapid of excitement and fireworks.

As a consolation prize I've posted the Gatti v Ward trilogy- which is nothing short of AMAZING!

Seriously, if you've never seen their 3 fights before, watch them right now. I can promise you won't be disappointed.

I grew up watching boxing with my dad, and we used to watch classic fights he saw growing up as well as new matches over the years.

Every couple of years when I am visiting my parents, he and I will revisit Gatti Ward's 3 flights because they are breathtaking and jaw dropping at the same time.

Enjoy!


Arturo Gatti v Micky Ward 1 Full Fight:
Original broadcast

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1cjWGOgmZMQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


HD


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kx0LezfenT0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward 2 FULL FIGHT!:
Original broadcast


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TqmkQRQZvxA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

HD


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BH-teXzP-2w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward 3 FULL FIGHT!:
Original broadcast

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6i2euZWkBUQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

HD


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RPMOr3YMaD0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Originally Posted by KC native (Post 11480184)

That paragraph isn't terrible. He's pointing out by Mayweather's standard that other fighters could have been the best ever. He's not saying that either one of them should be considered better than Floyd.

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth (Post 11480054)

Well, looks like Manny wasn't shitting and trying to pass off the loss on an excuse.

He has to have shoulder surgery for a torn rotator cuff. That would be a bitch to try and fight with - especially since they denied him getting a cortisone shot before the fight.

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins (Post 11480238)

1. He is saying that. He explicitly says that.

2. Mayweather's standard isn't just 47-(now 48) and 0, but how he got to that mark, and who he beat. JCC's mark of 87-0 is irrelevant even at face value because he was undefeated in name only. Mayweather's closest professional fight was Maidana I and Emmanuel Augustus, and he still won those fights.

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins (Post 11480242)

I am of two minds with this:

1) Traditional boxing rules state that you either don't mention your injury at all in reference to a fight or you postpone the fight

2) His request for a cortisone shot certainly contradicts some of his earlier claims about needles (of course, his acquiescence on blood testing and his tattoos do that anyway), and I'm sure that it did impact him, but I don't think that any version of Pacquiao beats Floyd, who, for all his personal failings, is a boxing savant.

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth (Post 11480335)

I can see both your points, and I agree that I just don't see him beating Floyd- maybe a handful out of 100 times. Best thing for boxing will be Mayweather retiring. If rumors are true about how quickly he burns through money and his absurd gambling he'll be coming back for quite a while as long as the well has water.

A lot of people have said they're done with boxing after the letdown of Saturday's fight. I still love boxing, so I think I will say I'm done with Mayweather. He has had a knockout since at least 2007.
I just wish everyone would do the same so his paydays would dry up unless he wants to actually box and give a performance worthy of the hype- not defensively fleeing and racking up cheap points. We both know that won't happen.

Originally Posted by KC native (Post 11480327)

No, he's not. He says Floyd is a great fighter. He just doesn't feel his is at the top of the upper tier (and I agree with him here) but he is upper tier.

Floyd path to 48-0 isn't impressive. He doesn't have a notable fight until he was 25-0 (with Corrales). After Corrales, he fights notable pros on the downside of their career (De La Hoya, Cotto, Mosley).

Not all of that is Floyd's fault though. He just happened to come of age in a particularly weak time for boxing.

Originally Posted by BigRedChief (Post 11477951)

Back when fights were about beating the other guy into submission and not scoring points.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8mILPqwesNE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins (Post 11480362)

Maybe I'm just different. I love rewatching old Tyson fights, but I don't need a Pinklon Thomas-style knockout to enrapture me. In fact, I find a lot of enjoyment in the technical brilliance in Floyd's defense, and I respect his ability to use a stiff jab and potshot his way to points. Similarly, what I enjoy the most about watching prime Tyson wasn't the knockout shot, but his ability to use his defense to break down the opponent and set up the perfect combination.

I don't see what Floyd does as defensively fleeing, but inviting the opponent to make mistakes that he will capitalize on.

I appreciate the drama of Gatti-Ward, but so much of that is just stupidity and technical incompetence.