26.08.07 – By Vivek Wallace: As the very distant December 8th showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Ricky Hatton approaches, the questions, hypothetical’s , and debates continue to mount. The more coverage I see of the pending fight, the more I begin to wonder whether fight fans and media are truly picking the man they think has the best chance to win?, or simply picking against the man that they most want to see lose?
Based on this tendency, the focus of my weekly piece today has shifted from the actual fight, to perhaps the most debated fighter within. Next week we will take a closer look at the Brit Phenom, Mr. Ricky Hatton, but today, we’ll look at the man most love to hate, and at the same time apparently hate to love – Mr. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
From a talent standpoint, few can argue that Floyd is perhaps one of the most gifted of our times. Some find fault in his ‘hit-but-don’t get hit’ style, but if no for no other reason, his stamina, and pure ability to exercise his mind in the ring sets him apart from most. Aside from remembering the way he has out executed multiple opponents, the way he quietly sat out of the Zab Judah fiasco after his uncle/trainer Roger Mayweather and the remainder of his corner got rowdy was a precise example of Floyd’s ability to stay focused and execute a certain plan regardless of what goes on around him.
Problem is, fight fans of today are more inclined to wanna see blood and guts in an Arturo Gatti type fashion, but few have given thought to the fact that some fighters are talented enough to win without fighting that way. Absent in Floyd is the bone-crushing ‘one and done’ uppercuts, while present is the consistently well placed jab. Absent in Floyd is the ‘take-a-hit-to-land-a-hit’ mentality, while present is well timed footwork. Those things are undeniable, but to view the opposite perspective, perhaps the biggest issue most anti-Floyd fans have with Mayweather is the fact that present in Floyd is a strong oral bravado, however, absent is the fireworks to support such braggadocio.
In a near indisputable fashion, the overwhelming response from Mayweather detractors is the fact that there seems to be more bark than bite. Most feel as though if a fighter is going to talk as much as Floyd does, anything less than a knockout in a ‘Mike Tyson Minute’ is sub-par. That argument is somewhat solid, but perhaps maybe we all should see it the way Floyd does. You see, the purpose of any competition in sports is to walk away victorious by any ethical means necessary.
In Floyd’s mind, how he does it doesn’t matter, only the fact that it is done. Of Floyd’s 38 professional fights, 24 of his opponents failed to stand for the final bell. This stat tells me that he certainly has the ability to knock an opponent out, however, absent in Floyd is the ignorance that would lead him to believe he can do this to everyone, while present is the ability to find other methods to get the job done if his opponent poses a greater risk.
In the end analysis, love him or hate him, his current success is what it is. I can’t speak for his future fights, but in his past 38, he has found a way to consistently ‘unlock the codes’ of every man who stood in front of him. Some may not like the way he did it, but it doesn’t change the fact that he did it. A proven winner is a proven winner. As a former U.S. Marine I would often refer to a certain analogy with my troops which states that “You can be wet in the water, or dry standing in the sand, but you can’t be dry in the water”.
Bottom line, there’s only two sides of the fence and if he is winning, no words spoken or ill feelings can ever take that away. This bodes the same for Ricky Hatton, which is why next week we’ll take a look at the ‘truth’ about him to silence the critics who feel he isn’t worthy. As expected, the debates will continue, but the one relative to the argument of Floyd’s worth can now be closed shut because truly, there is no dispute. 38-0 with 24KO’s speaks for itself and the various straps at multiple divisions solidify that point. Nuff said!!!
(Got feedback?: Write Vivek Wallace at vivexemail@yahoo.com or show some love at myspace.com/anonymouslyinvolved)