10 Reasons Why You Need To Watch Mayweather Vs Pacquiao

In light of the names previously mentioned, it might seem faintly ridiculous to cast aspersions on the credibility of Mayweather’s fight ledger. However, the fact remains that Mayweather’s ring record, if not manufactured, has at least been carefully managed.

Mayweather’s early career stands up to the highest levels of scrutiny. At 21-years-old, he fought the seasoned, canny Genaro Hernandez in just his eighteenth professional fight to win the WBC Super Featherweight title and destroyed the dangerous Angel Manfredy in two rounds in his first defense. He also took apart the late Diego Corrales in a superb performance in 2001 and started moving up the weight divisions shortly afterwards.

Arturo Gatti, brave though he undoubtedly was, was tailor-made for Mayweather’s counter-punching, elusive style, likewise Carlos Baldomir. Mayweather deserves credit for taking on a naturally bigger foe in Oscar De La Hoya but the Golden Boy was on the slide by then, as was brought into sharp focus when Pacquiao butchered him the following year. Both Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto were past their peak by the time Mayweather fought them whereas ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is arguably yet to reach his.

None of which prohibits Mayweather’s standing as a modern great who would have thrived in any era, but that he refused to face his biggest rival in his pomp is a rare black mark against him.