Countdown to showdown: Mayweather claims he eclipses Ali

Undefeated Floyd Mayweather has always been an outspoken and flamboyant fighter but, ahead of his upcoming welterweight showdown with Filipino Manny Pacquiao, the confident American has proclaimed that his boxing talents surpass that of legends Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.

‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd’s recent declaration comes just over a week before his super bout with ‘Pacman’, which has been dubbed ‘the Fight of the Century’, with both world champions set to collide at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2nd.

The five-division world champion, 7/1 with Coral to topple Pacquiao by knockout or TKO, claims his incredible 47-0 fighting record, along with an impressive 10 world titles at four different weight classes, gives him the right to be called the greatest ever.

“No-one can ever brainwash me to make me believe that Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali were better than me. No-one could ever brainwash and tell me that,” said Mayweather.

Although, the 38-year-old American maintained that he still holds a great deal of respect for past legends of the sport like Ali, who is considered the greatest heavyweight of all time.

“But one thing I will do, I’m going to take my hat off to them and respect those guys that paved the way for me to be where I’m at today,” he continued.

‘Money’ Mayweather believes his unhampered boxing record makes him superior to Ali, because the former world heavyweight champion suffered several defeats in his career, including a 1978 loss to Leon Spinks, who had previously entered the ring on just seven occasions before his shock victory.

“Leon Spinks only had seven fights. Never put a fighter in there with Floyd Mayweather with seven fights.

“Take punishment and let a man tire yourself out from beating you? You hit him with a few punches and go down and quit and you want to be glorified for that?” stated Mayweather, in reference to Ali’s famous ‘rope-a-dope’ tactics against George Foreman in the 1974 ‘Rumble in the Jungle’.

Meanwhile, fighting fans hoping to make the trip to Vegas next month to witness the epic encounter between Mayweather and Pacquiao (11/2 to win by KO or TKO) have been astounded by the news that tickets have still not been released for general sale.

The prestigious Vegas venue is capable of holding 16,500 fans but, only 1,000 tickets are expected to be made available to the general public, which is set to cause uproar among those wishing to travel to the MGM Grand.

Fight promoter Bob Arum was unable to explain why this is so, with only a matter days remaining until the showdown, as Pacquiao’s representative ended his recent press conference prematurely because of the ticket-related questions asked.

In what is set to become the highest grossing bout in boxing history, Mayweather will aim to keep his unbeaten status intact, while prolific puncher Pacquiao is hoping to add to his sporting legacy by inflicting a maiden defeat on his defensively astute opponent.