By James Slater: Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior will be celebrating today. Not only does “Money” turn the age of 35 today, but the all-time great can also celebrate the fact that he is as great, as special and as unbeatable-looking as he ever was. Despite now being at an age that has seen many great fighters who rely on their reflexes rather than their power begin to fade (think Sugar Ray Leonard, Ali), Floyd’s star continues to shine as brightly as it ever has; his skill set as intact as ever also.
In fact it could be argued that Mayweather is even better today than he was say five or six years ago. Always immaculately conditioned due to his incredible and admirable work ethic (unlike the great Ali, who got lazier and lazier in the gym when in his mid to late 30s, Mayweather pushes himself to the limit before each and every single fight), the 42-0(26) master has seen his blinding defence improve as he’s risen up the weights. That right hand bomb that came courtesy of Sugar Shane Mosley aside, nobody has hit Floyd with a significant head punch since Oscar De La Hoya (who got home with some left jabs and a few other hard shots in their massive event of a fight) – and that fight took place in 2007!
No, Mayweather is not in any way shape or form a fighter who is showing any signs of slowing down. Even after taking long, potentially rust-gathering layoffs of a year or more, Mayweather’s brilliance still shone through; his reflexes as sharp as ever. In many ways, it may be Mayweather’s ability to have aged like a fine wine that is remembered as one of his strongest accomplishments.
Next up for the multi-weight king is of course Miguel Cotto (another fighter who, with experience on his side, is staving off Father Time’s advances), but ask any fan who is not from Puerto Rico and you will be told that Mayweather’s perfect record will go nowhere on May 5th. Mayweather’s legacy, his place in history, is already secure. What the 35-year-old is looking to do now is put the final touches on his fabulous career. After Cotto (and a few weeks in jail) there could be one more fight. We all know who we want that fight to be against, but even if the Pacquiao fight fails to come off, Mayweather’s credentials as one of the best ever will be untouchable.
Enjoy “Money” while you can, appreciate his boxing mastery while you can. And look for the soon-to-be WBA 154-pound ruler exit the game on his own terms, his “0” where he wants to keep it: at the end of his pro record.