Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a rare gem in the world of boxing who managed to retire undefeated while holding onto his world titles. Throughout his three-decade-long professional career. Many notable opponents attempted to test and defeat the Grand Rapids, Michigan-born boxer.
However, the end result always remained the same, with Mayweather emerging as the victor in each and every bout.
The topic of whether there existed a boxer who could have defeated Floyd during his prime has been widely debated and speculated. The answer to this thought-provoking question is not straightforward, as opinions on the matter differ from person to person.
Floyd Mayweather: Arguably the greatest?
Nevertheless, it would be an intriguing prospect to consider. Given Mayweather Jr.’s exceptional technical skill, high ring intelligence, and, most importantly, an unshakeable rhythm even in the face of formidable opponents. Perhaps the answer could be found closer to home.
It would take someone with an intimate knowledge of Floyd to truly comprehend, interpret, and identify the fighters who could have potentially posed a threat to one of the greatest boxers in the history of the sport.
Nathaniel Henry, also known as Nate Jones, is a two-time National Golden Gloves champion and a bronze medalist in the Heavyweight category at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
He began his professional career a year later and continued fighting until 2002. When he was forced to retire early due to medical reasons. At the time of his retirement, his record stood at eighteen wins, two losses, and one draw.
Jon Jones voices his opinion
Jones has recently suggested a boxer whom he believes could have defeated Floyd Mayweather. In a recent video posted on his YouTube channel, “The Nate Jones Story,” Jones revealed the name of this boxer.
He said, “…if anybody would have beat him it was that m**********r right there… Aaron Pryor, freaking nature.”
Previously, Jones had mentioned that one of the boxers who had earned Mayweather Jr.’s utmost respect was Alexis Arguello from Nicaragua.
However, it was Aaron Pryor, the two-time Light Welterweight champion and the thirty-fifth greatest boxer of all time. According to Ring magazine’s rankings of the last eighty years, who defeated Arguello twice. The first time was on November 12, 1982, and the second time was on September 9, 1983.
“Aaron Pryor fought in 135 – 140 and was probably the first person to knock out Alexis Arguello. Floyd thinks highly of Arguello, I do too. But Aaron Pryor washed him twice and destroyed him. I mean, um, Alex Arguello was a bad boy, but he wasn’t better than Pryor.” He said.
Aaron Pryor started his professional boxing career in 1976 after a successful amateur career. He fought until 1990 and had a total of forty fights, of which he won thirty-nine.
A remarkable thirty-five of his wins were achieved by knockout. In 1980, he became both the WBA and the Ring Light Welterweight champion, successfully defending his titles until 1983. Sadly, Pryor passed away on October 9, 2016, at the age of sixty.
