Floyd Mayweather Is One of 5 All-Time Greats Who Could Be Called Cowards
He doesn’t just duck and weave in the ring, Floyd Mayweather has been as slippery as an eel over the last months trying to avoid a clash with Manny Pacquiao.
With this in mind, there springs some memories of past and present fighters who could possibly bear the label of a ‘coward.’
Some of the names you are about to see may shock you somewhat...with legends and icons of the sport being shortlisted...but just take a read of the reasons why they could be called cowards.
Enjoy!
Floyd Mayweather
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So we start with the headline man.
The most current and hottest topic at the moment is the apparent avoidance tactics Floyd Mayweather seems to be applying in order to avoid the very lethal Filipino, Manny Pacquiao.
A reported $75 Million offer has apparently been rejected by Mayweather and his management team to fight 'Pacman' – if that type of money is not interesting to 'The Money', nothing will.
The problem I see Mayweather has got is that he is a fast boxer who is elusive with a low guard. Pacman is a faster boxer with lethal knockout power. That cocktail of problems obviously doesn’t suit Mayweather.
He already has the financial ability to make his great-great-great-grandchildren millionaires, so his legacy is what will be on the line in his mind...not the money.
Even so, true champions fight anyone put in front of them. Anybody who challenges or questions their undisputed reputation, should automatically become a target.
Just like Foreman and Frazier etc. became automatic targets for Ali. If Mayweather can turn that fight, and that payday down, then that's his cowardly problem...but can I please step in and get blooded and beaten for $75 Million?
Mike Tyson
2 of 6When Mike Tyson had fought all of the journeymen in the heavyweight division, then fought all of the journeymen from outer-space too, his management decided that they should probably give this kid a fight against a GOOD boxer.
After over 20 fights, 20 knockouts and nobody posing any challenge to the baddest man on the planet, Tyson faced Trevor Berbick in Las Vegas, 1986. He proceeded to win the Heavyweight title and had the promise of becoming the greatest and most complete Heavyweight in history.
His lightning speed, knockout power and overwhelming strength was a cocktail which would send most boxers punch-drunk (see what I did there? Cocktail...punch-drunk...never mind).
But not Evander Holyfield. Quite literally, when Tyson met the real deal in Evander Holyfield, he was uncovered as a coward. The second time the two fought, Mike Tyson horrifically bit a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear off in Round 3 (don't believe me? watch the video!)
The frustration of being outboxed and outclassed proved too much for an angry Mike Tyson and, after that, he was revealed by Lennox Lewis, Danny Williams and Kevin McBride.
The despicable act, carried out by one of the most naturally gifted fighters ever, is enough to give him a spot in this list.
Sven Ottke
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Sven Ottke is on this list because he went an entire 34-0 career without fighting outside of Germany. The only notable people he fought include Amateur wins over Antonio Tarver and Chris Byrd.
These two wins stand alone to suggest the potential he could have used...had he been brave enough to venture outside of his homeland.
There was often speculation about the referees heavily favoring Ottke, and he turned down a number of higher profile fights in the US. If you’re going to be a professional boxer, and going to take it seriously, expect to face the best in the world.
If you suddenly decide you don’t belong on that stage, then you’re never going to be remembered as one of them. Sven Ottke was good, but never allowed himself to be great.
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Joe Calzaghe
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Now, me being a writer from the U.K., some of you might be surprised at this choice. Most British boxing fans adore The Italian Dragon, but I have seen straight through what appears to be an illustrious career and realized what Joe Calzaghe really is.
Do you want to know what he is? He is a boxer who has potential but has never really pushed the limits of that potential in his entire career. Why? I’ll tell you why...he’s ducked some BIG fights over the years...with a prime Roy Jones Jr., a young Bernard Hopkins and 'Lights Out' James Toney.
This has resulted in him finishing with a, yes very impressive, 46-0 record which is easily flawed. It can be flawed by simply looking at the 46 opponents he has faced.
The only big names out of those fights can be listed on one hand: Chris Eubank, Jeff Lacy, Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins.
In addition to this, I would like to point out that Hopkins and Jones were both WAY past their best by the time Calzaghe would sign on the dotted line.
So why didn’t he fight Jones or Hopkins earlier in his career? Simple...his unbeaten record wouldn’t exist.
Calzaghe has ended up getting the best of both worlds though, he’s got the big names on his resume (however old and out of shape they both were) AND he got the big payday to go with it.
It’s a shame he couldn’t have proved himself 15 years ago when Jones was the man to beat...
Wladimir Klitschko
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As well as the speculation over Mayweather and Pacman, another upcoming bout between David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko has also had a heated and turbulent birth over past months...years even.
Each fighter has claimed the other to be a liar and a coward, and with the way each quote is represented in the media, who knows what to believe?
I’m going with my instinct and a handful of facts to tell me that it is in fact Klitschko who is being cowardly in his approach to this finally sealed bout.
A number of times, negotiations stalled on behalf of Klitschko’s management team, over petty things such as Wlad’s name coming first on the promotional posters, the fight taking place in Germany and the television broadcast rights.
Having agreed to all of the factors against him, David Haye is quoted as saying ‘I just want this super-fight to happen.’ All I can say is that at 58 bouts so far, with only three losses, there are not many big names on there.
This will be an epic battle because both fighters HATE each other...this is a genuine feud which will fuel what should promise to be a great fight. Let’s just hope Klitschko doesn’t get injured again...
Final Thought
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Before I thank you for reading I would just like to round up with a number of points.
When I use the term coward, I use it with caution and thorough research. I appreciate that boxers who fight for a living are technically not cowards...they consistently put their-selves on the line and at risk.
The term coward in this instance refers to a fighter who has obviously avoided the most obvious choice fight for them...the biggest challenge and the fight the crowd ultimately want to see.
Fighters who do this, as well as use dirty tactics such as foul blows and biting are also considered cowards,as it is an easy way out and cheating.
I'd like to thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed the article!
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