He has the class, skills, impeccable defense, and an unblemished record of 50-0. That’s more than enough to insert Floyd Mayweather Jr. as a GOAT candidate in any conversation. But it seems he might be pushed behind at least a couple of spots from that coveted title when Michael Nunn holds that conversation.
Nunn, 61, sparked a debate about the boxing world’s GOAT, as he put Mayweather Jr., 47, behind Muhammad Ali, putting aside his splendid resume. He has shared a close bond with ‘Money,’ as he admitted in a conversation with Vlad TV, how the latter had picked him as one of his favorite fighters. However, Mayweather Jr.’s record and boxing prowess failed to make an impact on Nunn’s decision.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. edged out by Muhammad Ali
Nunn, at 58-4, started the conversation, as he shed light on his relationship with Mayweather Jr. He said, “I say Floyd is my dear friend. I’m not saying nothing against him. Because he thinks I’m one of the best fighters, well, I’m one of his favorite fighters, and he’s definitely one of my favorite fighters, you know.” Yet, for Nunn, the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard were ahead in the ladder because of his old-school preference.
The Davenport native continued, “I’m just a Muhammad Ali guy, and a Sugar Ray Robinson guy. Even a Sugar [Ray] Leonard guy. Not taking that from Floyd. Floyd is a great fighter, and to go 50-and-0 is a static and it’s a crown achievement moment. But I’m old school and I’m a Muhammad Ali guy.”
What’s interesting is that Nunn had amassed success as a boxer, with his quick hand speed and his swift footwork. A style reminiscing of Ali. However, the former two-division world champion also packed enough power in his punches to secure a knockout. In the same conversation, when the host then put Nunn into a dilemma as he asked him to pick between a prime Ali and a prime Mike Tyson.
A toss-up between prime Mike Tyson and prime Muhammad Ali
As Nunn discussed the hypothetical fight between the two, he gave an edge to his idol. The reason? Ali’s footwork would allow him to avoid Tyson’s heavy-handed punches. He asserted his unwavering loyalty to Ali, as he declared, “I don’t want to never go against him [Muhammad Ali].”
He also theorized how a young Ali would have resisted doing a rope-a-dope against a young Tyson. The latter was quick to catch him and hit him with one or two brutal blows. In addition, Nunn also touched upon the losses in Tyson’s resume, including one against Buster Douglas, where he didn’t take the fight seriously. Despite this hypothetical scenario, Nunn was all respect for the two greats of the boxing world.
What do you make of these comments by Michael Nunn about Floyd Mayweather Jr.? Where do you rate Mayweather Jr.? Let us know in the comments below.
