by Jeremy "Fasttalker" Bjornberg - 10/27/2005
Although many "experts" like to discredit undefeated Floyd (PBF) Mayweather Jr.(34-0, 23 KOs), the fact remains he is the most talented fighter since Sugar Ray Leonard. Mayweather says what he feels and he has rubbed a few writers and announcers the wrong way and that has led to his image being destroyed. Lately many people have blamed his level of competition as a reason to keep him out of the No. 1 Pound-for-Pound spot in the sport. Mayweather cleaned out all the tough Mexican brawlers at 130 and 135 pounds and hasn't had a chance to face any topnotch opponents since he came to 140 last year.
Mayweather did face well-known punching bag Arturo Gatti in his last fight in a one-sided beating that was Floyd's first pay per view event. After the shellacking the brash young star said all his future fights would be on PPV, something that was much too premature. In the four months since then Floyd has flirted with Shane Mosley, Winky Wright, Zab Judah and Joel Casamoyer, only to end up facing Sharmba Mitchell. In fairness to Mayweather, Zab Judah and Shane Mosley wanted none of him and Winky was just too big to get a deal done. Zab seemed to be most cowardly by calling out Floyd, then trying to stipulate that the match take place at 148 pounds, so his titles wouldn't be on the line. I can only label this as gutless. It is hard to imagine that Zab would expect Floyd to move up from 140 to 147 and not fight for Judah's undisputed welterweight belts. Shane is busy trying to right his career and is sticking with non-dangerous opponents until next year.
Floyd has been called many things, including PBF and making millions Mayweather. Floyd truly does live up to the hype in the charisma department. He is thoughtful, engaging and intelligent. He does tend to lack a bit of class when talking about other fighters but PBF means no harm. He is only trying to sell every fight to the maximum possibility.
Floyd is a free agent and as I confirmed earlier he was in negotiations with Golden Boy promotions to not only be promoted but to also fight Oscar De La Hoya. Floyd has clamored for that fight for years and has pushed up the momentum since his father took over Oscar's training duties. Due to Oscar's size advantage this could be a climatic fight. I do think that Floyd is selling himself short by not taking on Ricky Hatton or Miguel Cotto at 140. Hatton would present a formidable challenge and a fight that would be as big in the U.S. as it would in Europe. Hatton and Mayweather would both win as I doubt either would lose his spot in the eye of their fans. Doc's will be doing an extensive analysis of the upcoming Mitchell vs. Mayweather fight as it is PBF's first foray into the 147 pound division. Make sure not to miss out on another undisputed pick from the best in sports information.
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