Floyd Mayweather declares himself better than Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson

On the latest episode of 24/7, the focus turned away from the fighters themselves slightly and towards their families and trainers.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his often dysfunctional family was shown in a different light than we are used to seeing them.

Roger Mayweather in particular is shown to be a loving father one minute, before ranting incoherently on a conference call the next. He also comments on his upcoming court case in which he is accused of assaulting a female boxer.

Shortly before this Floyd declares that he believes himself to be better than Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.

"Yep, I'm better than Muhammed Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson? Yep, I'm better than Sugar Ray Robinson, I would never say there's another fighter better than me" -Floyd Mayweather Jr.

This might just be part of his winning attitude and self confidence, but even so it's a big statement to make.

It begs the question as to how much of what we see of the Mayweather's is really them and how much they put on for the cameras.

Mosley, unlike Mayweather has no persona or use for character acting, and seems entirely focused on the task at hand. Whether this will benefit him when it comes time to fight is a different matter.

Playing the straight man makes Mosley seem more genuine, but part of the reason Floyd sells so many pay per views despite an often boring fighting style is because of his trash talking.

He does point out though that Mayweather seems to talk more smack when facing an opponent who might be more of a risk to him and his unbeaten record. Or someone the public perceives as a risk anyway. He seems to take this as a good sign that Mayweather is taking him seriously although in all likelihood most of it is being done to drive up the pay per view sales.

"I can generate the most, not Oscar de La Hoya, not sh**** Shane, with the nose job, me, classy, clean cut"

While Mosley has never been a big seller, Mayweather still has a long way to go to match the $696 million generated by De La Hoya over the course of his career. Classy is a bit of a stretch however you slice it though. Not many fighters would claim to be classy while making fun of another's alleged nose job in the same sentence. Theres only one Floyd Mayweather.

Peter, Pittsburgh: "He already compared himself with Martin Luther king and Malcolm X, why not Sugar Ray and Ali? He's living in a world of his own."

Ted, Altoona: "Someone better tell Floyd that beating someone who took his name isn't the same as beating the man himself. If Sugar Ray was fighting today Floyd would duck him and them claim he was better anyway, same as he's doing with Pacquiao"

Harrison, Pittsburgh: "Floyd is just self confident, he probably doesn't believe all this stuff he says. Its all an act for the cameras"

Author: Scott Heritage

Source: examiner.com