What is it with champions today?
Justine Henin can't handle the pressure of being the top women's tennis player?
Annika Sorenstam wants to get off the golf course and start a family?
Now Floyd Mayweather announced his retirement, giving up his mega fight rematch with Oscar De La Hoya.
Even though the last De La Hoya fight was a split decision, Oscar never really hit Floyd so this time I don't think he's protecting his record. Still, by walking away now, Mayweather may have abandoned any real chance to be considered one of the 20 best fighters ever.
On my list right now, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is No. 43, ahead of guys such as Evander Holyfield (No. 47), Jack Johnson (No. 48) and Joe Calzaghe (No. 49). But he trails boxers Sugar Ray Leonard (No. 33), Thomas Hearns (No. 29) and Felix Trinidad (No. 28).
He will move up on the list because in my rankings wins over Hall of Fame fighters are worth more. So as guys are elected to the hall, the guys that beat them gain points.
Floyd's positives are his sterling 39-0 record with 25 knockouts. And nearly half of his fights were major boxing title fights -- he was 19-0 with 9 KOs, winning in five different divisions.
But he beat only two sure thing Hall of Famers in Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. He has some wins over other possible Hall of Famers, Genaro Hernandez, Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo.
If all five of those fighters are deemed Hall of Fame worthy then Mayweather's point total would move up to the 58.4 range in my system, which would put him in the Carlos Ortiz (No. 17) and Barney Ross (No. 18) range.
But that's it. Another win over De La Hoya and maybe a mega fight with up-and-comming Miguel Angel Cotto, who is already No. 65, and Mayweather would be looking at perhaps sneaking into the top 10 fighters ever.
Now the question is, does he stay retired?
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