I think Floyd realizes it makes him more money, but it probably also stresses the shit out of him always maintaining that facades, and we can see that it probably has become part of who he is, but I am guessing he probably hates that fact deep down, I don't see how anyone could like being that person.
I honestly think that while Floyd hasn't had the big names that Pacquiao has had during his career that Floyd hasn't sculpted his career the way some would have you believe. I just think people ignore facts
130- Floyd fought Hernandez and Corrales the two most dangerous guys at that weight.
135- FLoyd should have foughten Casamayor, but he fought a better fighter in Castillo, and fought him twice.
140- Floyd fought Gatti who more people than would be willing to admit thought would present problems for Floyd, but Tszyu wouldn't fight Floyd, and I honestly think Floyd already had Oscar in his sights and knew time was running out.
147- Floyd fought Judah because they were friends I think this was planned long before Judah lost to Baldomir, but Floyd I think felt it would be a good money making fight for him.
Then he fought Baldomir for the same amount of money he would have received against Margarito whom nobody knew about at that point, and Floyd was fighting the linear welterweight champion of the world, and if you look back at magazines and Emmanuel Steward they thought this would be an extremely difficult fight for Floyd to win.
154- Floyd fought Oscar after Oscar disposed of Mayorga in a devastating fashion in the worst beat down of Mayorga's life. Later even Mosley who would go on to KO Margarito didn't look anywhere near as good in stopping Mayorga. Anyways, back to my point Oscar who IMO was far better than given credit for at that time gave one of the best performances of his career, and was far better opponent then Margarito who was beaten by Paul Williams around then.
back to 147
-Paul Williams wasn't well enough known, Cotto was about to face Mosley and had beaten up Judah, but in a fight he looked very vulnerable in. Hatton p4p was the best option for Floyd, and yes Hatton was bigger than Floyd on fightnight, and Floyd beat Hatton at his game. He stood in the pocket and outboxed Hatton on the inside.
-retirement I think Floyd honestly needed a break and he was stressed out then for hte same reasons beforementioned.
-I think Marquez was a difficult guy to come back against, and the best guy outside of Pacquiao in the sport. I think the size and everyone were blown out of proportion as Floyd wasn't that much bigger than Marquez in the ring, he was about 4 pounds heavier and an inch or two taller, I think it was Floyd's skill against that particular style that showed just how good Floyd really is.
-Then Floyd faced Mosley who many, many people felt would beat the crap out of Pacquiao, and IMO he still would give Pacquiao one hell of a run for his money, but besides being hurt early I think Floyd showed that he was vastly superior to a guy most people overestimated, at least in comparison to Floyd.
I think Floyd's career has been plagued with his victories being underappreciated, just like his opponents. The time and place Pacquiao beat his opponents never seems to get mentioned while Floyd's are constantly brought up. Pacquiao fought an older Barrera, Morales, and Marquez. He fought Cotto after Margarito, and Hatton after Mayweather. He faced a De La Hoya who wasn't there physically and a Clottey who wasn't there mentally(not just against him though). I still think Manny is amazing, but the stars aligned just right for his career to look the way it has. Floyd would have come out the same amount of fights with Barrera, Morales, and Marquez with no defeats and would be called the greatest 130 pounder ever. I think Pacquiao beats all the same opponents he faced except De La Hoya in their prime, but I think Floyd beats them worse.
People want to talk about Pacquiao starting his career at 16, but that was against crap, Floyd at that age was facing the best amateurs in the states. If Floyd had been allowed and wanted to go pro at 15-16 he would have as many belts in as many weight classes as Manny has.
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