sugar ray robinson

Hardcore fans and critics of Floyd Mayweather give Dougie their two cents about the pound-for-pound king and future hall of famer, while other readers focus on upcoming bouts and present mythical matchups, in this week's Friday mailbag. Enjoy!

Floyd Mayweather Jr. on his legacy: "I take my hat off to Sugar Ray Leonard and all those other fighters who paved the way for me to be where I am at today. I'm not here to match myself against them because... ."

Floyd Mayweather calls Robert Guerrero "a religious guy" who is also a "big-time hypocrite" in Showtime's latest episode of All Access: Mayweather vs. Guerrero. 

Middleweight contender Matthew Macklin claims that he will handle unbeaten WBA titleholder Gennady Golovkin in similar fashion to how Bernard Hopkins knocked out then-undefeated Felix Trinindad in the 12th round.

Andre Ward called Guillermo Rigondeaux "a sharpshooter" against Nonito Donaire, adding, "this is the best I've ever seen him look." Of the criticisms of Rigondeaux's strategy, Tim Bradley said, "If you want to see blood and guts, and you want to see warrior-type of fights, then you should definitely hit MMA."

In accepting his award for Fighter of the Year, an emotional Nonito Donaire spoke of coming a long way since being the "small, frail, asthmatic little boy" of his childhood.

Bernard Hopkins' trainer Naazim Richardson likens the 48-year-old veteran to Ray Robinson and wants to see him face the other titleholders if he continues fighting. "If he unifies (titles) at this age they should waive the 5 year rule and induct him into the hall of fame now."

RING super middleweight champion Andre Ward called IBF light heavyweight titleholder Tavoris Cloud "an option" if Cloud defeats Bernard Hopkins on Saturday night.

RING super middleweight champion Andre Ward received clearance to return to training after undergoing last month's shoulder surgery.

RING super middleweight champion Andre Ward has received clearance to return to training after undergoing shoulder surgery last month.

Valentine's Day is for lovers but legendary fighters, including Jack Dempsey, Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali, did battle on Feb. 14. Lee Groves ranked 10 Valentine's Day bouts that boasted historic importance, vengeance, athletic excellence, unimaginable bravery, ambition and vindication.

RING, WBA and WBC super middleweight champion Andre Ward said "I can't wait to get back out there and perform for all my fans" after having endured surgery on his right shoulder on Friday. 

Juan Manuel Marquez's sixth-round knockout of Manny Pacquiao will be among "Boxing's Best" on HBO, a series comprised of seven major showdowns to be featured over five days beginning on Christmas.

Strength and conditioning guru Angel Hernandez claims that trainer Freddie Roach has accused Juan Manuel Marquez of having used performance enhancing drugs out of fear that his fighter will defeat Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night.

The Jan. 26 clash featuring RING super middleweight champion Andre Ward and former undisputed middleweight titleholder Kelly Pavlik unites promoters Bob Arum, Dan Goossen and Don King. 

Boxing historian Lee Groves pays tribute to the hall-of-fame career and inspirational life of former welterweight and middleweight champion Carmen Basilio, who was as disciplined and principled outside of the ring as he was tough and tenacious inside of it.

Super middleweight champion Andre Ward could defend his RING, WBA and WBC titles against former undisputed middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik on Jan. 26 on HBO, according to their promoters.

This is Hall of Famer Carmen Basilio before and after he lost his middleweight title to Sugar Ray Robinson on March 25, 1958, in Chicago...

Carl Froch: "I'm in there to fight and do my job and excite the fans. I was unable to do that against Andre Ward because of his style. Stylistically, he's a spoiler. Everyone knows that. That's why he's got no fans."

Episodes of HBO's 24/7 series featuring Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto will be televised on CNN in advance of their May 5 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Floyd Mayweather on Manny Pacquiao: "How my deal is structured at this particular time in the sport of boxing is that I keep 100 percent of the revenue, so why would I even give a 50-50 if I'm out there?"

The new series Fight Night, which premieres on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, could not take place in a more boxing-rich location -- Philadelphia. RingTV.com lists the 10 most notable title bouts ever hosted in the "City of Brotherly Love."

Outspoken Carl Froch shares his thoughts on Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson, says Mikkel Kessler overlooked Andre Ward, and believes Lucian Bute is over-rated.