Floyd Mayweather Jr. may fancy himself ?the best ever,? as evidenced by the ?TBE? snapback hats he likes to wear.
But Evander Holyfield, a man who knows a thing or two about ring excellence, suggested that perhaps Mayweather isn?t as great because he didn?t take on all comers, as Holyfield did.
?Floyd is a clever guy,? Holyfield said. ?He?s a smart guy. I was the guy that (would) fight whoever you put in there. And you know what? I did.?
Later, of his reputation as a gladiator, Holyfield said: ?I?m the warrior. I?m the real deal.?
Holyfield, a five-time heavyweight champion, was sure to praise Mayweather, however, acknowledging that Mayweather (47-0, 26 knockouts) will go down as one of the best ever and credited him with having tremendous business sense.
But Holyfield also pointed out that Mayweather ? who will face Manny Pacquiao on May 2 in a fight that will define both boxers? legacies ? did it differently, picking and choosing whom he fought while Holyfield faced everyone ? those mandated by the sanctioning bodies and those preferred by the fans.
?I think he should (go down as an all-time great) but . . . he didn?t do it the way I did it,? Holyfield said on Tuesday during an event to celebrate the partnership between Madison Square Garden and Delta Air Lines. ?I won each belt in a weight division and (fought) the very best in that weight division,? he went on. ?I didn?t choose which fighter I was going to fight. So that?s the only difference (between Floyd and me).? Alan Diaz/AP Mayweather is not shy about sharing his high opinion of himself.
Fair or not, Mayweather has come under criticism for not taking more risks in the ring in recent years, particularly since he signed a lucrative six-fight deal with Showtime in 2013 and for avoiding Pacquiao ? until now.
Meanwhile, Holyfield defined toughness over a nearly three-decade career, cleaning out both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, where he often fought bigger opponents.
?It didn?t make a difference how big they were,? Holyfield said of his approach. ?When do you want to fight? That?s what the people wanted to see, but if you go by what the fans want to see ? you know what? You?re not going to be undefeated for a long time. I did what the fans wanted me to do and I?m happy by what I did because my reputation is what it is. I?m the warrior. I?m the real deal. And that?s what it was. I wasn?t afraid to fight anybody.?
Holyfield, who was coy about whom he thinks will win on May 2, appeared trim and muscular in a silver suit. The 52-year-old announced in June of last year that he was retiring, but on Tuesday, he admitted he would fight again for the right price. Of course, that amount would have to be exorbitant.
?It?s easy to say that (I?m done) but if you give me a $100 million like that, I?m going to fight somebody,? Holyfield said to laughter. ?My whole thing is that (I?ll fight) within reason.?
Holyfield floated the idea that he could see a bizarre outcome in Pacquiao?s favor because the powers that be don?t want a fighter to end his career undefeated. Holyfield said he will be in attendance for the bout.
