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Is Floyd Really Boxing's Best?
Scoop Malinowski

Is Floyd Mayweather really the pound-for-pound best boxer today? Just about every ring observer out there has bestowed this undisputed honor to the unbeaten four-time champ.

In the court of public opinion, Floyd rules. We have witnessed the talent, we have watched in awe and admiration his many artistic victories. But in the ring is where these matters of who is the best must be resolved. The fact remains that Floyd did not defeat the two biggest threats in his previous weight class (Hatton and Cotto at 140). And Floyd has not yet fought the longstanding king at 147 Antonio Margarito or new champ Carlos Baldomir.

How can you be pound-for-pound best when you're not even the best in your own weight class? No free passes are allowed.

Floyd has been beating up on guys who have lost their previous fights. I can't say "losers" but Floyd has been beating guys he knew he could beat. Just as he admitted after pummeling Zab Judah on Saturday night, Floyd knew he'd beat Zab because, as he told us, he knew Zab was a "frontrunner" and could not keep up a torrid pace after six rounds.

Floyd was exactly right. As usual.

The time has come now where Floyd must fight someone who can challenge him. Who can test him. Someone who truly believes they will conquer Floyd. Someone who can force out a new aspect of Mayweather's unique greatness during a real struggle of a fight.

To his credit, Floyd has made it look easy so far. He's that good. But Sharmba Mitchell, Henry Bruseles, DeMarcus Corley and Zab Judah were little hope longshots at best. They were safe opponents, designed and chosen to look spectacular against.

It's time now to take on the badass. It's time for Floyd Mayweather to sign to fight WBO champ Antonio Margarito on July 29. Margarito is big, he's nasty, knows how to fight, knows how to rip your head off. And he hasn't lost in a loooong time.

Initerestingly and curiously, Floyd has been giving mixed signals about fighting Margarito. There is not that tone of absolute certainty in his voice as there was before the Judah fight. On the one hand Floyd says Margarito is just an average fighter and asks us, Who has the man ever fought? But then Floyd makes clear he will only fight Margarito if the money Bob Arum offers is an acceptable amount. This is inconsistent. This is talking out of both sides of your mouth. It seems Floyd could be a little reluctant - for whatever reason - to step in the combat zone with Margarito. This is not consistent behavior from the man who is supposed to be the pound-for-pound best.

Since Saturday, Floyd has hinted he has hurt his right hand against Judah. This may be his out for avoiding the multi-millions he could earn for battling Margarito in a big pay-per-view showdown on July 29. Did you see Floyd stop throwing right hands at any time last Saturday night? Or hopefully, those little aches are healing rapidly.

Floyd has also said this week that he wants to fight Margarito, Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya. But Mosley has a summer rematch with Vargas and Oscar is busy with Mayorga next month. The schedule is perfectly set up for Floyd to sign the contract to fight the "average" Antonio Margarito on July 29.

He will make multi-millions for fighting Margarito as you just know the Mexican boxing fans will accelerate those pay-per-view numbers to massive heights. Margarito knows in his heart he will destroy Mayweather, you should have heard him after the KO 1 of Manuel Gomez in February. It's amost as if Margarito has detected some vulnerability in Mayweather that none of us else can see. And, for sure, the Mexican fans feel his confidence and they believe in it.

I am beginning to wonder if Floyd Mayweather, the so-called pound-for-pound best fighter, is beginning to believe in Margarito's supreme confidence.

What or what doesn't happen on July 29 may tell us very much.