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.