Originally posted by Roadblock
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Originally posted by Roadblock
The premise that Mayweather lacked elite prime opponents ignores that he faced multiple undefeated fighters and reigning champions at their peak, including:
- Canelo Alvarez (42-0 at the time)
- Ricky Hatton (43-0 at the time)
- Diego Corrales (33-0 at their fight)
- Zab Judah (who was considered the #1 welterweight when they fought)
In the prior thread, you made the assertion that Mayweather was one of the greatest boxers ever, based on his victories over prime fighters like Canelo, Hatton, Corrales, and Judah. However, there are critical nuances that complicate this view.
You mentioned Canelo, but it's essential to consider that the Canelo fight took place at a catchweight, rendering the notion of facing Canelo at his "prime" somewhat contentious. So, removing him from the equation, we are left with Ricky Hatton, Diego Corrales, and Zab Judah as Mayweather’s prime opponents.
While these are notable names, we must evaluate them in context. Hatton, though undefeated at the time, was moving up in weight to face Mayweather and wasn’t quite the same dominant force at welterweight as he was in his natural light welterweight division. Corrales was an excellent fighter, but his stylistic limitations and his weight struggles prior to the fight undermine the level of difficulty that Mayweather faced. Judah, while a strong welterweight, had shown inconsistency and mental lapses in prior fights, making his status as the #1 welterweight debatable.
In essence, the argument for Mayweather as one of the greatest hinges on a limited pool of prime opponents, particularly when compared to fighters in other weight classes, where competition is deeper and more varied. To claim greatness based on these specific wins alone requires overlooking certain context that diminishes the weight of the achievements.
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