Mayweather turns on critics

Eurosport - Sun, 20 Sep 09:04:00 2009

Floyd Mayweather rounded on his detractors after beating Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez with a unanimous points decision on his return to boxing.

Floyd Mayweather Jr of the US celebrates his victory over Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico after their welterweight fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada REUTERS - 0

"I'm never going to win," Mayweather, 32, said after dominating his first bout since coming out of a 21-month retirement.

"When am I going to get my just due and people just acknowledge that Floyd Mayweather is a great fighter?"

The American has been criticised in the past for avoiding some dangerous opponents and he was loudly booed by a majority of the 13,000-strong crowd as he made his way to the ring in the wake of the hugely popular Marquez.

Although Marquez was a world champion at three different weights, there was criticism of Mayweather's selection of a former featherweight champion, who had most recently fought at lightweight, as his opponent for a welterweight bout.

That criticism intensified when Mayweather failed to make the contracted weight of 144 pounds on Friday, instead tipping the scales at 146 pounds, four pounds heavier than Marquez.

"To be the best, you got to beat the best in your era," said Mayweather, who was back in the ring for the first time since his 10th round stoppage of Britain's Ricky Hatton in December 2007.

"It's not about weight classes. I came from a small weight class too."

Mayweather won his first world title in 1998 at junior lightweight, 17 pounds lighter than the welterweight division in which he now competes.

The smaller and lighter Marquez, 50-5-1 (37 KOs) said: "I tried my best but the weight was a big problem.

"I think there was a 20-pound difference in weight," he added, referring to the fighter's respective weights on Saturday. "The weight was an advantage but Floyd's a great fighter.

"He's very fast and a very good counter puncher. I came to fight 12 hard rounds and a lot of people thought I was going to get knocked out. But I wasn't and I hope I made Mexico proud."

Mayweather, who improved his career record to 40-0 with 25 knockouts, paid tribute to the gutsy display by the Mexican.

"Marquez is tough as hell," he said. "I hit him with a couple of shots and I thought: 'I know he's going to go from this one', but he kept coming."

Immediately after the fight ended, Mayweather was challenged by fellow American and WBC welterweight champion Shane Mosley.

"I'm hoping that the best will fight the best," said Mosley. "That's what the sport of boxing needs.

"I'm the number one welterweight champion out there right now and I'm the type that's willing to fight anybody. I want to clean up the division so everyone will know I'm the best fighter."

Mayweather refused to be drawn into any speculation about his next opponent.

"Tonight's not Shane Mosley's night," he said. "No disrespect to Mosley, but he's supposed to be in training camp, not worrying about me. All roads lead to Floyd Mayweather. Everybody wants to fight me. I can't fight everybody."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 14 of 14

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  1. he wont fight pac-man because he knows he wont beat­ pac-man ! and thats why he will end up fighting mosley.­ i hope not tho because i think that pacman vs­ mayweather will be a more exciting and thrilling fight.­
    errol = "" If ugly boy mayweather fights­­ Pacman, he will do so at the highest weight possible­­ because that will take away Manny's speed and turn­­ him into a fat punching bag. "" how do you­ work that one out ??? lol manny fought de la hoya at 10­ stone 5 and was as fast and as strong as ever ! he then­ went down to 10 stone to fight hatton and yet again he­ was strong and fast as ever.
    The question is has­ floyd ever fought someone with the amount of speed that­ pac-man has ?? no
    has he fought anyone with such power­ as manny ?? no he aint, it wont matter what weight­ manny fights mayweather at he will knock floyd out, the­ truth of the matter is floyd will make manny fight at­ his weight round about 10 stone 5 and manny has­ already won at that weight so there will be no problem­ at all. bring on amir khan and hatton !!!

    From tomevans619, on Tue 22 Sep 10:22PM

  2. malory mosley beat margo easy u dont no wat ur talkin­ but he batter him about the ring and mayweather would­ beat mosley with counter punching he is the best the­ sport has seen in a long time and im i dont think any1­ will beat him.if pacman or cotto go in the ring with­ floyd its an win for floyd pacman and cotto both have­ weaknessess and mayweather will prove tht if they fight­ FLOYD BEATS THEM ALL DAY LONG

    From Chris H, on Tue 22 Sep 11:58AM

  3. im sick and tired of hearing all this bull....about how­ good MOSLEY is.....he is a okey fighter not at the same­ level as FMJ and lets not forget how lucky he was when­ he won that WBC against MARGARITO....BEST FIGHT­ FMJ/PACMAN or COTTO then after that i think FLOYD­ should retire for good and never box again......THE­ only person who can Beat FMJ is FMJ himself­ period..........

    From malory, on Mon 21 Sep 4:26PM

  4. If he will fight Manny at same weight 143 lbs. i think­ Mayweather can't be sure of a victory,, of course­ Mayweather is great.But the Pacman can demolish him.

    From Malic of arabia, on Mon 21 Sep 4:06PM

  5. i think he should try j klotey

    From ifred1642, on Mon 21 Sep 2:44PM

  6. After watching that fight I dont think Manny even­ stands a chance against Mayweather. Marquez fought­ Manny and it was 1 draw and 1 points win to Manny­ although Marquez maybe couldve won. Mayweather just­ destroyed Marques so the same will probably happen to­ Manny, i dont think anyone can beat him except maybe if­ Joe did retire and dropped down a couple weights.

    From zehst, on Mon 21 Sep 12:10PM

  7. You can understand now why Hatton didn't have a­ chance. Myweather is fit, a cleaver boxer and has­ talent. Mayweather may have to take stock of his­ punching power. When this is lost and he slows down he­ might consider calling it a day.

    From t.cook794, on Mon 21 Sep 11:25AM

  8. If you have never boxed then you cannot truly­ appreciate just how good Mayweather is.

    From outfielda, on Mon 21 Sep 10:56AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    well done mayweather.... that running strategy did­ really worked !!!!! wasnt boxing supposed to be­ punching not running ? ....... chicken......

    From Dennies, on Sun 20 Sep 8:39PM

  10. Paul Williams will beat the @#$% out of Mayweather, but­ "money" is chicken sh/it and will not fight­ anyone who can beat him. Also Mosley did him a favour­ getting rid of Margarito who would have been all over­ him like a cheap suit. If ugly boy mayweather fights­ Pacman, he will do so at the highest weight possible­ because that will take away Manny's speed and turn­ him into a fat punching bag.

    From jjmalone, on Sun 20 Sep 4:47PM

  11. Yep, he may be fast and have the best defence, but I­ regret staying up to watch that.
    Watching paint dry is­ way more entertaining than watching defensive-master­ Floyd.
    The undercard was much better than the­ 'main' event.

    From sure, on Sun 20 Sep 2:21PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    "Hate him or love him; the kid is damn good.­ Between­ Mosley and Pacman, I think he should take on­ Pacman and­ retire for good."

    Let's hope the­ little faggott does because watching him fighting bores­ me rigid.

    From Neil O, on Sun 20 Sep 1:25PM

  13. what a tiger

    From powell p, on Sun 20 Sep 12:46PM

  14. Hate him or love him; the kid is damn good. Between­ Mosley and Pacman, I think he should take on Pacman and­ retire for good.

    From Hotshot, on Sun 20 Sep 9:53AM
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