Floyd Mayweather Jr. is undefeated, a six-time world champion and perhaps the biggest draw in boxing.
Shane Mosley is a great champion who's past his prime and probably couldn't carry a pay-per-view card by himself.
However, it's Mayweather who has the most to prove from Saturday night's welterweight bout in Las Vegas (HBO Pay-Per-View). He's likely the most-skilled boxer in the world. Instead of that distinction drawing him praise, Mayweather is reviled for his defense-first style, as well as his big mouth.
He prides himself on being the greatest ever (in large part to his 40-0 record) and at the same time he's in a slugfest to be considered the best boxer today.
Manny Pacquiao ostensibly holds that crown as much for his recent accomplishments as his penchant to be a warrior in the ring. Courage is what separates Mayweather and Pacquiao in many people's perceptions -- with Pacquiao being a gutty fighter while Mayweather hits and runs.
Whether that's right or wrong, it's irrelevant. That's what's out there. Mayweather's demand for Olympic-style drug testing -- previously unheard of in professional boxing -- sank a proposed mega-fight with Pacquiao and further perpetuated his negative perception.
"I don't care about shutting anybody up," Mayweather said during a recent conference call. "I don't care about shutting anybody up. I'm happy with myself. I'm happy with my career and I'm happy with my family."
It's true and it's not. He certainly marches to his own tune, but for a cocky and ego-driven athlete like he is, it must irk him that he's slighted (at least in his own mind) by the boxing community.
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