Mayweather argues with Jim Rome about being better than Muhammad Ali

By Eric Thomas: With only one day to go before tomorrow’s fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley, Mayweather took time to conduct an interview with television sports personality Jim Rome on his show. Mayweather continued to argue that he’s better than Muhammad Ali, saying “Why Muhammad Ali and not me? Ali fought Ken Norton three times and really he lost three times to Norton. Ali lost to Leon Spinks. Spinks had only seven fights, and Ali never threw any body punches. Just because I’m Floyd and I don’t take a lot of punishment. There’s nothing cool about laying on the ropes and taking punishment and then coming back and fighting again. What’s so great about my career is that I did it in great form and great fashion. I dominate. What so great about those fighters back then that’s not so great about fighters now?”

Rome seemed uncomfortable with the exchange and not as quick on the facts and figures to counter Mayweather’s claims. Ali beat Norton two out of three times. He clearly lost the first fight. It’s strange why Mayweather keeps comparing himself to Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson, as if he needs to validate himself for some reason. Mayweather doesn’t need to. He’s had a great career and if he were to end his career after his bout with Mosley, he would still go down as an all time great. It doesn’t matter that Mayweather may never fight Manny Pacquiao. He doesn’t need to fight Pacquiao to prove his greatness as a fighter.

Mayweather has done all that’s been asked of him by beating the fighters that have been put in front of him. Tomorrow night, Mayweather will likely cement his legacy by pounding the 38-year-old Mosley into the canvas and proving that he’s one of the best fighters that has ever breathed. I think it’s beneath Mayweather to waste time comparing himself to fighters from the past. He’s his own man, and in a different era and different class. Comparisons are really pointless. That’s for boxing fans and experts to make, not for fighters that have other things to worry about.