I don't get this Floyd retirement CRAP.

[TitoFan]

First of all, I don't believe it for a minute. It's just a publicity ploy to try to drum up hype/ interest/ $$$/ whatever. Or maybe he just wants to hear people say: "No Floyd, please don't go. Blah, blah, blah."

But let's just say for the sake of argument that he really DOES want to retire. What the hell has he done in his career that warrants retirement? Where are his career-defining bouts? Where are his out-and-out brawls? His wars?

He's 30, and at the peak of his career. He hasn't been scarred up too much. So what's this retirement CRAP? Even talking about it seems insulting to boxing.

Normally, if anything, boxers want to hang around TOO long, whereas it's the fans who are asking for his retirement. In this case, Mayweather has taken it upon himself to say: "Well, I've accomplished everything I can in boxing...... time to retire." Bullsh*t.

Hey Floyd, even in boxing, like in real life...... you gotta EARN the right to retire.

[meowza]

First of all, I don't believe it for a minute. It's just a publicity ploy to try to drum up hype/ interest/ $$$/ whatever. Or maybe he just wants to hear people say: "No Floyd, please don't go. Blah, blah, blah."

But let's just say for the sake of argument that he really DOES want to retire. What the hell has he done in his career that warrants retirement? Where are his career-defining bouts? Where are his out-and-out brawls? His wars?

He's 30, and at the peak of his career. He hasn't been scarred up too much. So what's this retirement CRAP? Even talking about it seems insulting to boxing.

Normally, if anything, boxers want to hang around TOO long, whereas it's the fans who are asking for his retirement. In this case, Mayweather has taken it upon himself to say: "Well, I've accomplished everything I can in boxing...... time to retire." Bullsh*t.

Hey Floyd, even in boxing, like in real life...... you gotta EARN the right to retire.

First off I don't buy the retirement thing either.
But you gotta remember, his hands are effin' killing him.
You have to assume injuries to his hands play a large role in his decision.
And if that is a big factor in his retirement decision and his hands are really as bad as a lot of people belive it is, it's hard to blame him.

[TitoFan]

First of all, I don't believe it for a minute. It's just a publicity ploy to try to drum up hype/ interest/ $$$/ whatever. Or maybe he just wants to hear people say: "No Floyd, please don't go. Blah, blah, blah."

But let's just say for the sake of argument that he really DOES want to retire. What the hell has he done in his career that warrants retirement? Where are his career-defining bouts? Where are his out-and-out brawls? His wars?

He's 30, and at the peak of his career. He hasn't been scarred up too much. So what's this retirement CRAP? Even talking about it seems insulting to boxing.

Normally, if anything, boxers want to hang around TOO long, whereas it's the fans who are asking for his retirement. In this case, Mayweather has taken it upon himself to say: "Well, I've accomplished everything I can in boxing...... time to retire." Bullsh*t.

Hey Floyd, even in boxing, like in real life...... you gotta EARN the right to retire.

First off I don't buy the retirement thing either.
But you gotta remember, his hands are effin' killing him.
You have to assume injuries to his hands play a large role in his decision.
And if that is a big factor in his retirement decision and his hands are really as bad as a lot of people belive it is, it's hard to blame him.

Helluva a good point, meouza. That would be more than a good enough reason. BUT............ he would need to be more upfront about it, then. Don't just say you've done EVERYTHING there is to do in boxing, 'cause in Floyd's case, that's just not true. Be a man about it, and just come out and say: "Hey, I've had a good career, and would like to have more great fights.... but my hands are brittle, and at this point I just think it's best if I just retire."

I'd respect that a lot more.

[Irish Rover]

Whats the big deal? Say what you like about Floyd but he has fought 38 fights and remains unbeaten and has won belts at five levels. He does'nt want to fight anyone else and thats his choice. He doesnt need to fight anymore and his hand is in a bad way. He obviously has achieved everything he wants to achieve and doesnt feel it necessary to put himself through months of hardship again.



And anyway staying on will not achieve anything. Floyd will never be considered a great becuase he just isnt exciting. His defense is sensational and he takes pop shots and runs. Thats his style, he cant change it and it will never make for great fights and battles. He has nothing to gain from fighting on.

[TitoFan]

Whats the big deal? Say what you like about Floyd but he has fought 38 fights and remains unbeaten and has won belts at five levels. He does'nt want to fight anyone else and thats his choice. He doesnt need to fight anymore and his hand is in a bad way. He obviously has achieved everything he wants to achieve and doesnt feel it necessary to put himself through months of hardship again.



And anyway staying on will not achieve anything. Floyd will never be considered a great becuase he just isnt exciting. His defense is sensational and he takes pop shots and runs. Thats his style, he cant change it and it will never make for great fights and battles. He has nothing to gain from fighting on.

Oh, I think Floyd will be considered "a great" alright. I think he's considered "a great" already. But IMO, he won't be considered an all-time p4p great, because the career-defining battles are just not there. And please do not include last night's fight as a career-defining fight.

[Irish Rover]

Oh, I think Floyd will be considered "a great" alright. I think he's considered "a great" already. But IMO, he won't be considered an all-time p4p great, because the career-defining battles are just not there. And please do not include last night's fight as a career-defining fight.

Did you read all of my post? I agree 100% with you. That's what I am saying, he has tremendous defense and movement but he is just not exciting enough to watch or ever been in any truly great figths to be considered a p4p all time great. But fighting Cotto, Mosley, Hatton or whoever wont change that. Floyd will still fight his way, running and taking pop shots. Those fights wont make him anymore of a great. Im just saying it is his decision and he feels it is the time to retire and although I am not happy about it I can see his point.

[TitoFan]

Oh, I think Floyd will be considered "a great" alright. I think he's considered "a great" already. But IMO, he won't be considered an all-time p4p great, because the career-defining battles are just not there. And please do not include last night's fight as a career-defining fight.

Did you read all of my post? I agree 100% with you. That's what I am saying, he has tremendous defense and movement but he is just not exciting enough to watch or ever been in any truly great figths to be considered a p4p all time great. But fighting Cotto, Mosley, Hatton or whoever wont change that. Floyd will still fight his way, running and taking pop shots. Those fights wont make him anymore of a great. Im just saying it is his decision and he feels it is the time to retire and although I am not happy about it I can see his point.

Oh, it's definitely his decision. And if it has to do with the condition of his hands, it's more than warranted. No question about that. My point to Floyd is: Don't overstate your achievements. To be considered an all-time great, you have to fight the absolute best out there. Floyd has fought some great opposition, but some of it has been under less than ideal conditions. To say that beating a 34-year old De la Hoya, in a split decision no less, automatically qualifies you as an all-time p4p....... well.... I've got my reserves about that.

[Puerto Rican Punch]

I agree this may be a strategy to have the people calling for him and negotiate more $$$$.

I would like to see Floyd fighting Cotto and/or Sugar Shane. I think these 2 guys will create some problems to him.

[meowza]

I hear ya, TF.
I love Floyd to death but sometimes wish he wouldn't give his critics so much ammunition with his talking.
If it really is his hands and he's too ashamed to admit it, then I really can't fault his decision to retire.
And on the other hand (pardon the pun), he did do enough to be considered a great.
And I think what you're getting at is that true ATGs go BEYOND doing enough.

But of all the guys out there today, who could he fight that'd put him there?
I really don't see Hatton, Cotto, or Margarito putting him there RIGHT NOW.
Maybe in a few years depending on how Cotto develops, that might be a fight that needs to be made.
Perhaps Mosley? A win over Mosley would be an excellent name for the roster, but I think his critics would come out and tak of how he beat a past his prime Mosley.
Kind of like Oscars critics accused him of beating pastprime Whitaker and Chavez.

And there's just no damn way Floyd is taking on anyone at 160.
So aside from retiring, what should be his next move?
Hattons and Tony arent gonna and shouldn't happen.
Wait around to see if Cotto's the real deal? Mosely?

[halo]

Oh, I think Floyd will be considered "a great" alright. I think he's considered "a great" already. But IMO, he won't be considered an all-time p4p great, because the career-defining battles are just not there. And please do not include last night's fight as a career-defining fight.

Did you read all of my post? I agree 100% with you. That's what I am saying, he has tremendous defense and movement but he is just not exciting enough to watch or ever been in any truly great figths to be considered a p4p all time great. But fighting Cotto, Mosley, Hatton or whoever wont change that. Floyd will still fight his way, running and taking pop shots. Those fights wont make him anymore of a great. Im just saying it is his decision and he feels it is the time to retire and although I am not happy about it I can see his point.

Oh, it's definitely his decision. And if it has to do with the condition of his hands, it's more than warranted. No question about that. My point to Floyd is: Don't overstate your achievements. To be considered an all-time great, you have to fight the absolute best out there. Floyd has fought some great opposition, but some of it has been under less than ideal conditions. To say that beating a 34-year old De la Hoya, in a split decision no less, automatically qualifies you as an all-time p4p....... well.... I've got my reserves about that.

Man you guys took the words out of my mouth. I actually think the fight did not live up to the hype. No defining moment al all. Pop shots from Mayweather and flurries from OLDH. That's all. No buckled knees. No knockdowns. No drama. Be honest. Let us compare this fight with Castillo - Corrales. Now that was a fight.

[TitoFan]

I hear ya, TF.
I love Floyd to death but sometimes wish he wouldn't give his critics so much ammunition with his talking.
If it really is his hands and he's too ashamed to admit it, then I really can't fault his decision to retire.
And on the other hand (pardon the pun), he did do enough to be considered a great.
And I think what you're getting at is that true ATGs go BEYOND doing enough.

But of all the guys out there today, who could he fight that'd put him there?
I really don't see Hatton, Cotto, or Margarito putting him there RIGHT NOW.
Maybe in a few years depending on how Cotto develops, that might be a fight that needs to be made.
Perhaps Mosley? A win over Mosley would be an excellent name for the roster, but I think his critics would come out and tak of how he beat a past his prime Mosley.
Kind of like Oscars critics accused him of beating pastprime Whitaker and Chavez.

And there's just no damn way Floyd is taking on anyone at 160.
So aside from retiring, what should be his next move?
Hattons and Tony arent gonna and shouldn't happen.
Wait around to see if Cotto's the real deal? Mosely?

Excellent points all, meouza. CC for that.
And yeah, I guess what I'm driving at is that ATG's need to go beyond just doing enough. As for what could be next on Floyd's agenda.... you make good points about the other fighters. Cotto, depending on the next fight or two, could be just one of those career-defining fights. People talk about Cotto being slow, and obviously he's nowhere near as fast-handed as Floyd (few boxers are). But Cotto's the whole package. Power, boxing skills, chin, heart. A Floyd-Cotto fight would likely surpass last night's fight in terms of fan enjoyment, IMO.