Sport360° view: Mayweather does not rank among legends

Alam Khan - Reporter 15:07 03/05/2014
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  • "It’s hard to ignore the boasts that leave so many wanting him to suffer a first defeat."

    Floyd Mayweather Jnr yearns to be known as the greatest boxer of all time. If only statistics mattered, and he beats Marcos Maidana early tomorrow morning as expected to take his record to 46-0 and maybe see out a half century unbeaten, then the 37-year-old would probably get his wish.

    But as gifted as WBC welterweight king Mayweather is – a five-division world champion – his motormouth prevents him being popular.

    And unless that changes, he will never be respected or revered in the same way as legends like Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis or Sugar Ray Leonard.

    Yes he is brilliant, probably the most skilled and technically-proficient defensive boxer of all-time, and one who should leave WBA champion Maidana struggling to land a decisive blow.

    But it’s still hard to ignore the boasts, the brash behaviour that leave so many wanting him to suffer a first defeat.

    The meeting with Maidana has been overshadowed by his recent break-up and resulting spat with fiancée Shantel Jackson.

    Always disciplined, Mayweather is unlikely to be distracted, but the way personal details of their relationship have been highlighted on a reality television show, and subsequently social media, leave much to be desired.

    Sport often breeds heroes to worship or those to hate, and it will be a real shame if Mayweather does not think about how his characteristics, the arrogant attitude or scornful words, will taint his reputation forever.

    Legacies are not just about records in the ring.

    Like Mayweather, there will be more to gain too for Amir Khan when he takes on Luis Collazo on the undercard, but all to lose if he fails.

    The much-hyped Briton hasn’t fought for a year and for all the training and talk about setting up a lucrative clash with Mayweather, ring rust and too much bravado can upset the best-laid plans.

    Collazo knocked out Victor Ortiz in January, and, at 33, the two-time former champion has the battle scars and awareness that the doors will be wide open to better opportunities if he upsets Khan.

    This will be a massive test for Khan, not only physically as he steps up to welterweight for the first time, but mentally as he comes under more pressure to succeed.

    Nothing less than a fast show will do to impress the doubters. Khan once talked about retiring at 28, but it will be over a year too soon if he loses to Collazo.

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