Where does Floyd rank amongst those who transcended the sport?

In my opinion Floyd doesn’t get enough credit for how much he has done for the sport. After his next 6 fights and signing the richest individual athlete deal in sports history, I think boxing will go a long while before any-one comes close to his box office numbers. Also, having the top draw in boxing featured in some measure on broadcast TV (CBS is a part of the showtime deal) may do a lot for the sport in terms of drawing casual sports fans to the table.

I’m looking forward to more and more up and coming fighters going down the Floyd route and focusing more on technique. I know not every-one is a fan of that style but personally I love a defensively astute fighter and I’m not surprised Broner for example (who some see as a potential PPV star) has made Floyd his modus operandi. He’s getting stick for being a Floyd clone and I say why not? It makes sense to me, I’m still in my teens but if I was gifted with my hands and had the determination, grit and passion for boxing I would no doubt want to be like the best fighter currently.

In addition to this not many fighters at their peak have called for more stringent testing. Maybe I shouldn’t worry and history’s just repeating himself - he’ll likely get more credit than he’s given now in decades to come.

So anyways, surely Floyd's viewing figures and the fact he's attracted a lot of casual fans puts him up there with Johnson, Dempsey, Robinson, Leonard, Ali and any-one else that transcended boxing?

Would love to know what you think.

You forget Mike Tyson who apart from Ali and Louis transcended more than anybody.....

Floyd isn't in the league of the fighters you mention...mainly because Boxing isn't the sport it was when they were around........

One there are more titles and the casual viewer can't be bothered anymore.....

Tyson is the last real transcender...........everyone knew Tyson...

Floyd and anybody would struggle to make a real impression these days because everybody is a world champion and people just don't care....

Floyd is close but no cigar..

Oh yh Tyson! He had great viewing figures didn't he?

Tyson mostly was on before ppv was the norm & people outside of the broadcaster cared about or quoted viewing figures. Sure Floyds pretty well known in the states but put a photo of him & tyson out for the rest the world & more gonna recognize Tyson than Floyd. As for stringent drug testing that pretty much stopped after Mosely, you don't hear so much about it now.

Every single one of Floyds opponents have to undergo the test now, Marquez did, Mosley did, Ortiz did and Cotto did.

I don't think he transcends the sport? What does he do besides box, boast make a few decent business ventures, and do a bit for charity? (non uncommon for the best sportsmen)

Beckham...a footballer in Calvin Kleins.

Tiger Woods....a golfer with a computer game.

Foreman.... a boxer with a grill

None of them transcend the sport IMO. All they do is make some cash from Spiceboys, teenagers and obese housewives, respectively.

TheMackemMawler wrote:I don't think he transcends the sport? What does he do besides box, boast make a few decent business ventures, and do a bit for charity? (non uncommon for the best sportsmen)

Beckham...a footballer in Calvin Kleins.

Tiger Woods....a golfer with a computer game.

Foreman.... a boxer with a grill

None of them transcend the sport IMO. All they do is make some cash from Spiceboys, teenagers and obese housewives, respectively.

if you're thinking about people who transcend sports and dont include beckham or woods in your list you're a mad man.

floyd is up there with the greats, but boxing is not a main stream sport anymore. non boxing fans around the world know him name though.

he's the highest paid sportsman and does no without endorsements. no one ever does that, surely.