I came, I saw, I Conquered

By Kishan Nundloll 11/12/07

Floyd Mayweather came into the MGM Grand having to endure a barrage of abuse by the British fans and the pressure that he had put on himself to deliver a performance. As always Floyd did exactly what he said he would and strengthen his legacy as the fighter who is as close to greatness as any other boxer could dream off. He is now in a league of his own.

I predicted that Floyd would get the job done and, he delivered to a worldwide audience in devastating fashion. When all the talking was over and someone had to stand up and be the man he did. Floyd’s display was so reversed from his normal style and the way he is viewed by the boxing world, that it sent out one clear and simple message. That Floyd Mayweather is the single greatest fighter to ever live this generation, and is the fighter of the Millennium.

He was able to make a former two-weight world champion look ordinary. Ricky Hatton has pedigree and has the ability to beat anyone on his day, as long as the name Mayweather isn’t involved. Ricky and his corner got his tactics wrong and were unable to play to any of Ricky’s strengths. Floyd on the other hand was able to take anything being thrown at him and adapt accordingly, causing the first stoppage of the previously unbeaten Ricky Hatton.

As tragic as it was to watch it was inevitable. Ricky looked hurt and confused for many rounds and it felt as though the big occasion had got to him. Mayweather on the other hand had all the elements against him before the fight including the crowd (who were loyal, but disgraceful In some parts), he also had the pressure of being the fighter who was expected to win, not least because he had said countless times that he would won. Joe Cortez also didn’t help either fighter ,but did have a very bad fight and was to quick to jump on Ricky for very minor offences ,that both men were guilty off.

The post fight analysis was also a joy to behold as it showed how fickle boxing is and could be the defining moment of each man's career, Ricky did take a while to be gracious and show some respect to the champion, but at least it did come. The only excuse is that Ricky has never tasted defeat and has no experience of reacting to defeat. Floyd's showed what this writer has always known and seen first hand, that he is an elegant and charming gentleman, who only does what he does, to help better his family.

After a fight ends, there is normally no ill feeling and in Hatton’s case, it’s more disappointment than distain. Yet I still think straight after the fight and his body language during the press conference suggested that Ricky Hatton still thinks he could beat Floyd Mayweather or does not respect him as much as he should.

Both fighters should retire, and for very different reasons, Ricky could get big fights and make the money, but his heart is not in it, having tasted defeat ahs he got the inner strength and belief to come back. With doubts growing about Billy Graham’s future, it would be a drastic change for the working class hero.

Mayweather had nothing to prove before this fight and he there is no one in the world who can beat him, not Cotto not Mosley and surely not Ricky Hatton. Floyd really has been blessed and has the ability to do anything, I hope for both fighters sake that hey take a well earned break and think about there next move , Ricky will probably want to finish on a victory and if he were to carry on should settle his ongoing feud with Junior Witter ,who has been calling him out for nearly five years. Whatever each fighter does ,the fight they produced was a joy to behold and we should be eternally grateful that boxing is well and truly back in the limelight.