“It’s For People To Decide”: Floyd Mayweather Snubbing LeBron James To Crown Himself “Athlete Of The Decade” In Forgotten Clip Still Draws Ire From Fans

Comparing eras in a sport can be tricky, but in Floyd Mayweather’s case, his career spans over eras, making this notion even more nuanced. Fitted with boxing gloves right in his childhood, little did anyone know that he would one day go on to rule the realm he once dreamt of entering. Born in the Mayweather family, a dynasty that held strong footings in the boxing world, Floyd Mayweather rose to fame with each fight he had since his pro-debut in 1996.

In two years from then, he stunned the realm by bagging his first title at 130 pounds. That October night marked the start of a story that echoes in the Boxing Hall of Fame today. With a stellar record of 53 undefeated fights, he still remains relevant for the accolades he’s earned. From five ESPN ESPY Fighter of the Year awards, to multiple publications pronouncing him as a Fighter of the Year on multiple accounts, he perhaps is one of the best boxing has to offer to the world of sports.

But his journey through it all has never pushed him to be titled as the Athlete of the Decade. And that has marked a sense of resentment in Floyd Mayweather.

“Athlete of the decade, that’s me!” Floyd Mayweather asserts himself

A sports person navigates through years of hardships and exercises resilience through all odds to reach the pinnacles that they do. But when they are not recognized for their feat, it strikes a sense of disappointment within them. That’s where ‘Pretty Boy’ Mayweather stands today. Despite having ruled the decade with his superior boxing skills, the fighter has never been accorded the title of the Athlete of the Decade.

In 2019, the Associated Press named LeBron James as the Athlete of the Decade. A choice that many rejoiced. So does Pretty Boy, but he also asserts himself to deserve the title. He says, “I don’t take nothing away from nobody, like I love Lebron James, but athlete of the decade, that’s me! And that’s me hands down! Because I proved to the world for 20 years that I was the best, twenty years straight. World champion 20 years. I dominated, and I’m still active.” The fighter has bagged 12 world championships in five weight classes.

Adding further about how he’s self-made and rarely depended on deals with big brands, he said, “I’ve never received athlete of the decade at the top in Forbes and I’m my own boss. No Gatorade behind me, no Sprite behind me, no Nike behind me. You know what I’m saying. These are million-dollar companies. And we like to call it placement. So if they pay, you get what you want.” One of the richest athletes at the moment, ‘Money’, is estimated to be worth $450 million.

Fans Counter Money’s Athlete of the Decade Assertion

On multiple occasions, Money has asserted himself to be over LeBron James as a contender to being the Athlete of the Decade. But is it he who will decide who deserves the title? A fan implored this question. They said, “It’s for the people to decide not yourself. I love black people they so humble and kind.”

A user got into some philosophical touchpoints with this discourse. They added, “A wise man once said if you gotta go around telling people you da boss, then you’re probably not The Boss!” In a scathing counter to the fighter’s claim, a user alluded that he has no big brands backing him because he’s not controllable. They commented, “Floyd’s right he has no Nike,sprite, adidas behind him only cuz they wouldn’t be able to control him”

Also Read: Billionaire Floyd Mayweather Details Losing Two Fight Deals Worth $500,000,000

However, another fan recognized why Mayweather has not gotten the recognition he deserves. They suggested that if he came from any other ethnicity with such track records, he would be the poster boy for many. They commented, “I knowsometimes it can be tiring hearing Mayweather talk about himself, but I totally get it. If he didn’t you wouldn’t know the man exist if he was any other ethnicity his poster and accolades would be deafening. I say with his accomplishments do you brother, congratulations!”

Further, a fan implied that they recognized his body of work. But still, they asserted that he undertook fights that gave him big bucks. They said, “You fought everyone past their prime or too young. All calculated. All calculated. Just like many others today. It was all about the money to you. I see it. Sorry your fans don’t. Maybe one day they’ll realize the real Floyd.” 

He might not have been titled as the Athlete of the Decade, but his accomplishments do personify the title. With his boxing acumen and his progress in the realm of sports, nobody can deny that he is one of the best the world has seen in the previous decade. And today, those accolades from the story that inspire the ones to come. What do you think of Money’s claims on the Athlete of the Decade title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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