Fansided

Floyd Mayweather criticizes Muhammad Ali, says he’s better than him.

By Kris Whelan

Feb 28; New York, NY, USA; Floyd Mayweather during the press conference announcing his fight against Miguel Cotto. The two will meet May 5, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE
Feb 28; New York, NY, USA; Floyd Mayweather during the press conference announcing his fight against Miguel Cotto. The two will meet May 5, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE /
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The undefeated Mayweather gave an interview where he downplayed one of Muhammad Ali’s greatest achievements and stated that he’s better than the boxing legend

Floyd Mayweather is never short for words, often coming out with bold and brash comments that many see as arrogant. The undefeated champion has now gone one step above arrogant by claiming he is better than Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.

There are many who believe that Mayweather is right in saying he’s the greatest of all time, there are more however that believe that Muhammad Ali is the greatest there ever was and ever will be. Money Mayweather sat down with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and openly spoke about the comparisons made between him and ‘The Greatest’.

One of the most controversial comments the fighter made about the former World Heavyweight Champion was to criticize one of his greatest achievements, ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’.

"“Take punishment and let a man tire yourself out from beating you? And then he’s basically fatigued, and you hit him with a few punches and go down and quit and you want to be glorified for that?”"

View image | gettyimages.com

Mayweather was of course alluding to the one of the greatest moments in boxing’s history where Muhammad Ali tactically took punishment throughout the fight against a younger and stronger George Foreman , only to allow the champion to wear himself out before Ali knocked him out. Many boxing fans think this was one of the boldest and most genius tactical fights in the sports history, but apparently Floyd Mayweather doesn’t believe it’s something to be glorified. He had previously said that nobody can convince him that Ali or Robinson are better than him.

"“No one can ever brainwash me to make me believe that Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali was better than me. No one could ever brainwash me and tell me that.”"

The fast talking Mayweather also brought up the fight with Leon Spinks, a fight which was only Spinks’ eighth professional fight.

"“Leon Spinks only had seven fights. Never put a fighter in there with Floyd Mayweather with seven fights.”-"

Floyd Mayweather has certainly earned his opinion, he’s one of the greatest boxers of all time but he is sure to anger a lot of boxing fans with his recent comments. Before making the comments about Ali and Robinson being inferior fighters, he paid tribute to them paving the way. No matter what respectful things he said however, he still downplayed one of the greatest achievements in Boxing’s history.

"“But one thing I will do, I’m going to take my hat off to them and respect those guys because those are the guys that paved the way for me to be where I’m at today.”"

Floyd Mayweather is extremely confident, and thus far he has been able to back it up. He of course fights Manny Pacquiao on May 2nd, a win against the Pac Man would further add to his claim to be the greatest of all time.

(H/T SI)

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