Floyd Mayweather: Is self preservation his main goal?

Floyd Mayweather is loud , obnoxious and confrontational. And he probably will not object to any of those descriptions.

He is also one of the world's top defensive specialist. When you add the fact that he is a quick , sharp shooting counter puncher , then you see one of the world's top boxers.

But Floyd has been criticized for ducking opponents. Namely in the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions. That was not always the case. Earlier in his career he took on such fighters as Corrales , Manfredy , Hernandez and Castillo. Floyd suddenly went from from a fight anyone junior lightweight and lightweight to a very cautious junior welter and welterweight.

Now Floyd comes back to less than stellar reviews for picking Juan Manuel Marquez as his first opponent. Marquez , while considered one of the best boxers in the world , has only fought twice at lightweight and never any higher than that.

Some feel that Mayweather has done what everyman does , become aware of the possible risks of his job as he has aged. He seems to avoid the higher echelon fighters in favor of smaller , if somewhat less threatening opponents.

Freddie Roach has said that Mayweather's demands on the percentage he is entitled to against Pacquiao make that fight unattainable at this time. Fights and purses usually have a way of working themselves out. That is , if the fighters really want to fight each other. Roach said that is a fight him and Manny and the public want , providing they get by Cotto first.

So is it just posturing by Mayweather or is he feeling out his other possibilities. If Pacquiao wins in November then Floyd's only other viable option , this time based on a victory over Marquez first , is Shane Mosley. Mosley says that he has been asking for a fight with Floyd since they were lightweights.

Floyd said there is no money in a Mosley fight. But doubts creep in when we remember that Mayweather turned down a large purse against Margarito a few years back. Floyd said there wasn't enough interest or money in the fight. He subsequently fought another boxer for a much smaller purse.

So why come back? Is it the money , competition or limelight?

We have all read about Money's money woes. The story about him owing the IRS millions is probably true. One or two good fights against quality opposition fixes that quandary.

The competition factor is mainly in Floyd's mind. He feels he is still the best fighter , so it is up to others to seek him out. He was at the top of the pound for pound list before Pacquiao took over. But Floyd's last fight was nearly two years ago. As good as he was , when you announce your retirement , your name is dropped off all of the top of anything lists. If you come back you will have to fight your way back to the top.

Finally , there is the limelight factor. Some athletes and actors complain about the lack of privacy they receive. Meanwhile , the thought of not having that attention terrifies them. Boxers like Evander Holyfield quickly come to mind. He has had financial troubles. But some have said that it is the attention he receives from his boxing that really drives him.

So what is it for Floyd? I think it is a combination of the three. Money and limelight seem to be the biggest pieces of this complex puzzle. Mayweather has constantly said that he should rate among the all- time greats. As stated earlier , in his mind the fighters should be calling him out. Being that he feels he is one of the greatest boxers in history.

To this writer it seems more like self preservation. He wants to keep his name and status out there for as long as possible.

What Floyd must understand is that his style doesn't endear him to many fans. And to be considered one of the all-time best , you must fight the best of your era. Think along the lines of Leonard , Duran , Hearns and Hagler. They all wanted a piece of each other.

The only way Floyd can achieve what he wants is to fight the Pacquiao , Mosley and Cottos of the world. Then we'll see if he can stand among the greats.]

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-8557-Norfolk-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d8-Floyd-Mayweather-Is-self-preservation-is-main-goal