Time and again we heard and said that Floyd Mayweather Jr. hasn?t fought a legitimate welterweight since entering the division in 2005 when he destroyed Sharma Mitchell in the 6th round. That he handpicked Juan Manuel Marquez; the lightweight champion for his return bout last year didn?t do him any favors either and despite a perfect record, many fans and media were quick to judge Floyd regarding his opposition in recent times ? myself included.
That all should change after what he accomplished on Saturday night against Shane Mosley in Las Vegas. Entering the fight, Mosley, despite being 38-years old was a legitimate threat to Mayweather. A welterweight champion with a Hall of Fame credentials who was coming off a magnificent pasting of Antonio Margarito, who was considered the biggest monster at 147 at the time. I?d be lying if I didn?t say that this was the first time since Floyd fought Diego Corrales in 2001 that I found it hard to pick a winner and this fight was no different. Finally, Mayweather was cornered into not ducking and dodging a top fighter but in the end, it was Floyd who was ducking and dodging his way to victory.
It seemed like Floyd?s world would crumble on top of him in the 2nd round when Mosley landed two brutal right hands; the second of which buckled Mayweather?s legs. Mosley appeared to be moments away from putting Mayweather on his back as ?Money? held on for dear life. That would be the last time Mosley had any form of upper hand as Floyd readjusted and took him to school for the remainder of the fight. I?ll give myself a little credit as I predicted that Floyd would readjust at some point in the fight, after having trouble and then coast to a win. I didn?t think he?d do it as early as the 3rd round. What I found shocking was how Mosley came out in that round and almost acted as if nothing had happened during the previous round ? looking befuddled and hesitant while Floyd slowly picked him apart. Mayweather finally had his moment ? he overcame adversity, looked at defeat in the eye and then proceeded to smile at it and punch it in the mouth.
What I found most impressive however was how he managed to toy with Mosley for the remainder of the fight. It would have been enough to just beat him but to embarrass someone of Shane?s caliber was a sight to behold. Point blank, Floyd made it look easy and solidified his place as boxing?s most gifted talent of his generation. Mayweather is simply on another stratosphere when it comes to skills and his one sided drubbing of Mosley should silence even his most hardened critics.
