Floyd Mayweather Unworthy of Best-Ever Title After Andre Berto Win

So now it's over, supposedly.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has said that Saturday night's victory over Andre Berto will be the last fight of his career. He reached the same 49-0 mark that the late, great Rocky Marciano achieved during his brilliant career as one of the most renowned heavyweight punchers, and Money has picked that mark as the perfect time to end his career.

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Boxing: Mayweather says ‘it’s over’ after beating Berto http://t.co/AGtH8Fl9rv pic.twitter.com/bLvuD1VBZI

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) September 13, 2015"

That's unlikely because boxers who retire tend to return to the ring at one point or another. Most need the money, but that is unlikely to be the case with Mayweather. Others are bored and need the juice of returning to the ring. That seems more likely with Floyd.

But whether he is true to his word or not, let's put this talk of Mayweather being the best ever to bed. He is not the best ever, even with his perfect record.

Let's look at the facts. Mayweather is a brilliant boxer who has an excellent jab and effective combinations. He is the greatest defensive fighter of the last 30 years.

But how often does he leave it all in the ring? How often does he entertain the crowd with his vast skills?

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Not very often. In high-profile fights against Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez, Floyd was the better fighter and got the decisions in both. Nine of his last 10 bouts went to the judges' scorecards.

At what point did he try to entertain the paying customers who have supported him and paid him so well over the years? When did he put himself out there and go for the knockout or at least try to dominate offensively?

That simply didn't happen.

Floyd was interested in winning, not entertaining in those who paid to come into the arena or forked over huge money for the pay-per-view.

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I thought at the very least Floyd would stop Berto inside the distance, wishful thinking. Absolute whitewash.

— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) September 13, 2015"

Perhaps that's good business, and he certainly avoided putting himself in harm's way. It's impressive that he has the speed and athletic ability to avoid big punches from talented opponents.

But it's not the way a fighter who says he is the best ever is supposed to conduct himself.

He did not change his game plan in his supposed finale against the tough but slow Berto. The great fighters entertain their fans.

When did Floyd do that with any consistency?

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If you thought Mayweather-Pacquiao was boring, Mayweather-Berto taking it to another level.

— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) September 13, 2015"

It's interesting that Mayweather picked out the career record of Marciano as his stopping point. That's his way of paying homage to a hardworking and crowd-pleasing power puncher who left it all in the ring every time he fought.

The great fighters in boxing history all pleased the fans. Generations ago, their names were Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson. Decades ago, the brilliant fighters were Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Robert Duran, Thomas Hearns, George Foreman and Marvin Hagler.

Perhaps the most exciting fighter of the last 30 years was Mike Tyson. All of them left it all in the ring.

Great fighters establish their legacy because they take risks in the ring and find a way to overcome adversity.

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Ali was getting whaled on by Frazier in the "Thrilla in Manila" in 1975, and despite the pain and physical abuse, Ali came back to win the fight.

Floyd never did, and that's why he doesn't rate with the best fighters in the sport's history.

Best businessman? No doubt. 

Best fighter? Not a chance.