Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.
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Floyd Mayweather has enjoyed riling up diehard boxing fans with his claims to be the greatest of all time for many years. Now, it appears the tables have turned.
Many feel Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) cannot be considered superior to the likes of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson just because they lost fights.
However, in August 2018, strawweight titleholder Wanheng Menayothin improved his record to 51-0 with a successful defense against Pedro Taduran. He is now 54-0, and recently reveresed his decision to retire.
Menayothin is expected back in the ring in November, where he will seek victory No. 55.
Though the strawweight champ’s list of vanquished opponents is far less impressive than that of Mayweather, some fans who feel Mayweather carefully protected his perfect record in his selection of opponents have repeatedly proclaimed Menayothin as the “real best ever” to tease the American.
And it appears to have worked, going by an interview Mayweather conducted with Club Shay Shay.
“I’m 50-0 for a reason,” he said. “Right now they got a fighter that’s over in Asia that’s 54-0, and they say, ‘This is the new TBE,’ because he’s about to retire.
“I said, ‘Y’all telling me about this fighter that fought one world champion?’ He’s 54-0 and only beat one world champion? This is who y’all are trying to call TBE? OK, y’all are some comedians.”
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Mayweather will return to a boxing ring or stay retired.
He has been linked with everything from a legitimate boxing return against a current welterweight to another crossover attraction against a big name from the UFC to an exhibition against YouTube star Logan Paul.
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