Jose Mourinho Is Football's Equivalent of Boxing Superstar Floyd Mayweather
Though at times it may have seemed otherwise, it was never even close. Was that Floyd Mayweather's Las Vegas win or the title success of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea? Both, if truth be told.
On scorecards across the world, Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao were level after six rounds in their record-breaking mega bout on May 2. The undefeated Mayweather—in customary fashion—downloaded the Filipino's timing in the fight's first half, and proceeded to dismantle his opponent in the latter stages, winning by unanimous decision.
Cast as a "boring" fighter, the product of Grand Rapids, Michigan is a complete contradiction.
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Outside the boxing ring, Mayweather is flashy, brash and lets nobody within hearing earshot forget it. Inside the ring, however, the 48-0 pugilist is the definition of conservative.
The willingness to entertain spectators with crazy amounts of punches, taking reckless chances and seeing knockouts has long been respected by those in the boxing community, and indeed the casual fan. In a blood sport, one hopes to see KOs, stoppages, cuts and high-octane action. Mayweather is not in the business of taking punishment to entertain—his modus operandi is simply to win.
Forty-six fighters, on 48 different occasions, have attempted to solve the now 38 year old's puzzle, and none have. Touted the greatest defensive fighter in his era, the best method for Mayweather to earn victories is using his sublime defensive wizardry and counter-punching prowess.
In the May 2 bout, the onus was on Pacquiao to disrupt Mayweather's comfort. He was gun shy and the American champion coasted—much to the displeasure of many who watched the fight to see action and/or Mayweather finally lose.
It appears when the public loves an aspect of a sport, and a malcontent elects to take away what they love, vilification is warranted: Jose Mourinho can relate.
Neither to the obscene amounts of cash Mayweather has collected nor his more-than-despicable criminal history, but in terms of strangling what people love most about their respective sports—the two are an inseparable match.
Similar to boxing, football has its hallmarks. While gore and violence are not appreciated tenets in the beautiful game, a desire to play fluent, attack-minded football is why people watch.
The life blood of football is goals, and when an individual is comfortable not playing the game with an express purpose of scoring them, stigmas arise.
Mourinho's men were level with Manchester City on both points and goal differential in early January, but Chelsea proceeded to win the 2014/15 Premier League title with three games to spare. Mourinho gave his team confidence to complete the task at hand, winning the Blues' first league title since 2009/10.
Mourinho arrived in west London two seasons ago, taking over the helm of Chelsea Football Club for a second time. Mandated to play an attacking style by owner Roman Abramovich, the Portugal native has attempted to install the expansive brand—but only when it suits him.
In crucial matches, over Mourinho's now-23-month spell, he often reverts to his counter-attacking preference.
Given the money Chelsea have spent over the past 12 seasons, climbing the ladder of English football giants, one would expect the calibre of players in Stamford Bridge's dressing room to not require an austere, defensive mindset—but they do.
Tags from outsiders (similar to that of Mayweather) label Mourinho's Chelsea as "boring," lacking the guile to give the public opulent football.
Forgotten in recent memory is how Chelsea were the best attacking side in England to open the 2014/15 campaign. On pace to break their own 2009/10 goals-scored record (103) in the early stages, Mourinho allowed his team to play expansively, amassing 22 points and 23 goals before the season's first nine EPL fixtures.
Mourinho is not in the business of risking points to entertain—his modus operandi is simply to win. Outside the pitch, the 52-year-old is one of football's most outspoken, entertaining characters, but his teams do not always carry the same traits.
Though certainly watchable in the season's first half, Mourinho flipped an inevitable switch and Chelsea proceeded to grind out results in search of their fourth EPL crown. Eight league victories have come by one-goal margins since New Year's Day.
To some, Mayweather and Mourinho included, winning is all that matters—how it looks makes little difference.
"People treat Floyd Mayweather like they do Jose Mourinho. Though labelled "boring" and defensive-minded—all they do is collect Ws.
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) May 1, 2015"
"If you cannot accept Floyd Mayweather winning w/ excellent defense, I don't know how you can be a #CFC supporter...
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) May 3, 2015"
One cannot expect winners to relinquish their best qualities in an effort to liven proceedings. Both Mayweather and Mourinho pride themselves on defensive organisation and their genius being enough to stifle any opponent.
Tasking Chelsea to play a more expansive style of football, risking points in the process, makes no sense to Mourinho—neither to Blues fans who pay to see a winning team. There is more tension in a 1-0 nail-biter than an 8-0 blowout. For a title race to transpire, it was contingent on the chasing pack to collect more points. They failed and Mourinho's outfit took advantage.
Boxing is more precarious in nature than football (as it can easily damage one's health irreparably). Wanting Money to risk his own wellbeing for our collective entertainment is rather twisted—especially considering he has an uncanny ability to counter, block and evade punches.
Mayweather has stated his last career bout will be in September (as noted by The Times' Ron Lewis), around the same time that Chelsea will have launched their 2015/16 title defence. Should the adage "If it's not broke, don't fix it" be applied anywhere, expect both Mourinho and the pound-for-pound great to yet again ignore the pressure to employ an attack-filled style.
Their calling cards are defensive greatness and an irreverent indifference to optics. With winning above all else, stopping those proven methods now would be completely illogical.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
