Floyd Mayweather Is the Greatest Ever? Don't Let Him Fool You

Don’t let him fool you.

Money talks. He talks a lot.

Floyd Mayweather is twice as smart as you think he is. In the weeks leading up to last Saturday’s Welterweight showdown with Shane Mosley, Mayweather displayed the skill that truly sets him apart from everyone else—his knack for propaganda.

Through various pre-fight specials and post fight interviews, “Money” Mayweather declared his supremacy like a Roman gladiator by defaming past warriors and welcoming all challengers.

“Is there no else?”

Don’t let FMJ fool you.

We all know who’s next—who has to be next.

Not even 10 minutes passed after the final bell Saturday before questions about the possibility of a supernatural showdown between FMJ and Manny Pacquiao rose to the surface. Mayweather talks about a match with Pacquiao as if it would be just another fight.

Don’t let him fool you.

Pacquiao would not be just another notch on Mayweather’s belt. A dethroning of Pacman would without a doubt place Mayweather amongst the ranks of boxing's greatest.

Saturday’s victory over Mosley is not enough to crown Mayweather king.

At 46-6, Mosley has had a long and impressive run. But, in reality, he has lost almost all of his big-time fights. His claim to fame—wins over De La Hoya and Margarito—pale in comparison to the image Mayweather wants us to have of “Sugar” Shane.

The ultimate self-promoter, Mayweather’s performance outside the ring seems to have surpassed his work inside of it. With the way everyone is talking, it’s hard to imagine anyone will ever be considered greater than FMJ.

For example, many people thought Shane Mosley had a chance in this contest. Mayweather wins, however, and makes claims of grandeur; Oscar De La Hoya calls him “King of the World,” and everyone starts nodding their heads in approval. At this recognition Mayweather rolls his eyes, wondering what took us so long to listen to him.

There’s no denying it. Mayweather is good, very good. Whether or not he ever beats Pacquiao, he has been very impressive for a long time. He’s like Mozart: he’s no good to pump through your system for a summer drive; he’s not going to satisfy your thirst for thrills; he won’t have you jumping out of your seat and cheering.

But he’s an artist, and he has mastered his craft. The best way to enjoy Mayweather is to study him—the big picture, his career, his impressive streak of lopsided victories, his flawless technique—all of which come together in concert on the canvas.

He’s even better at playing up his image.

Before Saturday’s fight, Mayweather predicted such a glorious victory that he forced us to sit back and dare him to come through. And in 12 dazzling rounds, Mayweather dominated a highly-respected veteran, shooting I-told-you-so looks to the crowd as he assumed his self-made throne.

With an unwavering confidence, and a smile so glossy it would make Lucifer jealous, Mayweather has once again stolen the show.

But don’t let him fool you.

Whether or not you were impressed with Mayweather’s recent win, do not let Pacquiao’s boring victory over Josh Clottey tempt you to forget who has established a reign of terror in the last decade of boxing.

When Mayweather announced his return to the ring, it was Pacquiao’s party that he was crashing. For the past five years Pacquiao has terrorized the best names in modern boxing, with or without Mayweather in the picture.

Don’t let Mayweather fool you. He is scared of Pacquiao.

He is faster and can hit harder than anyone FMJ has ever faced. Pacquiao knows how to finish when he’s winning, and he knows how to fight back when he’s losing.

Watch the first two rounds of the De La Hoya fight. Pacquiao can hurt his opponent while playing the cherry-picking-one-punch-cover-one-punch style in which Mayweather was able to trap Mosley.

Unlike Mayweather, Pacquiao would be playing with house money. Without the worry of tainting a perfect record, Pacquiao would hold nothing back, throwing punches with wild abandon. He wouldn’t have to fear a strong counter or that one big shot. Pacquiao could just keep coming and coming.

So, don’t let Mayweather fool you. He doesn’t want any part of a fearless Pacquiao.

Forget Sergio Martinez or Margarito. Forget Cavs-Lakers. This is once in a lifetime. This is Ali-Frazier. This is finally making it to Disneyland after years of false promises. This is the Beatles at Shea Stadium.

Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather. Defense versus offense. Robin Hood versus King Midas.

To promote his fight against Mosley, Mayweather posed for a number of pictures in which he was dressed in classical soldier’s armor with shield and sword, not unlike the hero Achilles. Remember that in the Iliad , Achilles was the greatest of all warriors, the strongest and fastest fighter in the entire world. He was virtually invincible unless his opponent could somehow find and exploit his one fatal weakness.

Mayweather claims that he does everything right. He claims that he doesn’t have a weakness. In truth, with his perfect record and impenetrable defense, he seems almost impossible to hurt. He looks invincible.

Don’t let him fool you.