Floyd Mayweather is unquestionably amongst the greatest boxers of all-time. However, before his passing, Roger Mayweather revealed that there is one man whom he ranks higher than his nephew.
Floyd retired with an unbeaten record of 50-0 back in 2017, but has recently been linked to a professional comeback and potential rematch with pound-for-pound rival Manny Pacquiao.
Whilst a second victory over ‘Pac Man’ would do little for his legacy, the return of ‘TBE’ could eventually see Mayweather break Bernard Hopkins’ record as the oldest ever world champion, if able to overcome his Filipino foe and then get his hands on a belt.
Even if Mayweather adds that historic record to his extensive collection of feats in the sport, it’s hard to imagine it would have been enough to change the opinion of his late uncle and former trainer.
Speaking to Boxing Scene back in 2012, Roger Mayweather admitted that Floyd sat at number two in his all-time rankings, believing Sugar Ray Robinson to be almost immovable from top spot.
“[Floyd] is ranked right behind Sugar Ray Robinson. He won seven world titles didn’t he? He beat everyone from 130 to 154. Where would you put him at? Ray Robinson is the greatest ever period. I don’t care what circumstance, Ray Robinson is the greatest fighter in the history of boxing.
“You know what his record was? 127-1. Do you know any other fighter with a record of 127-1? And the fighter that beat him, [Robinson] beat him six times, Jake LaMotta.
“The only reason he beat Robinson, is because he outweighed him by like 50-pounds. Ray Robinson wasn’t even really a middleweight fighter but slowly he started putting that weight on and then he smoked [LaMotta] every time.
“There is no fighter in the history of boxing to do what Ray Robinson has done. But, fighters don’t fight that often anymore, [every] two weeks, three weeks, four weeks. Now they have that whole medical sh*t. Fighters can’t fight as often as they fought back in those days.”
Robinson is widely regarded as the best of all time, winning world titles in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions and amassing an incredible record of 174 wins, 19 losses, and 6 draws over his legendary career.
As for Mayweather, he may look to take his own record to 51 fights. At present, it is believed that Pacquiao will fight in January, with possible fights against Amir Khan and WBA welterweight champion Rolando Romero still incomparable to the interest that a second mega-fight with his former rival would generate.