Ok People. Floyd Mayweather vs Pernell Whitaker at 135. My thoughts and yours.

Talent wise, they are of the same echelon. I would argue that Floyd is even more talented ... however, the difference between potential and achievement is application and well, for me, it's like this, Floyd has Castillo and Pete has Chavez.

Everything that we've learned about Floyd says that he is an incredible in-ring adapter. His corner and himself are excellent at breaking down an opponent's weaknesses in the ring, DURING the fight and instantly devising a plan to exploit said weaknesses. One thing Floyd is rarely credited for is the unquestionable ability to make round after round adjustment, carry out the advice of Roger and then manifest his will on the fight.

Floyd is going to be made to miss and miss bad because Pete had that herky-jerky headmovement, coupled with the unorthodox, squat-like leg defence that would make your miss look really bad. That catches the eyes of the ringside fans and catches the eyes of the judges. Floyd has just as good headmovement, but it's smoother, more subtle, so even if Pete is made to miss, due to miss-margins, Floyd will be 'outshowmanned' defensively, IMO. Pete's jab will keep Floyd unable to get set and use his excellent offensive ability as much as he'd like to. Floyd of 130 was in reality, a lightweight by the time he's beating Corrales and this Floyd has excellent footmovement, defensive and, yes, offensive output. He's not going to box Pernell in a shell, merely waiting for countering opportunities all night. When Floyd feels that he's strong enough to take some shots, he'll start setting the straight right hand up, taking more chances. Pete, as good as his footwork was, ALWAYS crossed his feet and Floyd is excellent at timing the right hand and even where he misses, just like B-Hop, is good at falling in, smothering the counter, using the forearm and hooking to the temple.

Pete IS going to get tagged by the right hand and left hook and with the crossing of the feet, I do think that he can get knocked down when off-balance. As I said, I think Floyd is just as talented, with quicker footspeed and handspeed, better footwork and a proven ability to make in-ring adjustments. However, I'm not ignorant to Pete's strengths. I cannot see any lightweight pure outboxing Pete and with Pete's jab (IMO, better than that of Hearns, JUST!), which from the southpaw stance, Floyd will have his hands tied up with, and Pete's ability to drop the left hand behind it with underrated power, I think Pete will outhustle Floyd, especially with the higher workrate and 'flashier' defence.

This is a match up of top tier technical fighters and definite ATG's. Whilst, I rate Pete quite higher than Floyd in placing, I don't think that this fight is anywhere near one-sided. This would be the sort of fight that you could score either way, depending on what you were looking for, IMO.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBaKrk9ZQ7w[/ame]

"Pernell is a guy who doesn't give out a lot of compliments. He didn't want to say anything about another fighter, because he didn't like the idea of anyone upstaging him. But I remember him saying to me, 'Man, this kid is good right now.' He said to Floyd, 'You stay with this and you remain dedicated, ain't nobody going to touch you.' " - Whitaker was #1 P4P, FM was 17

 

Floyd. Pernell was great no doubt about it but his punching power is his weakness. Floyd between 130-140 was destroying people left right and center. Pernell wouldnt see the 11th.

 

Whitaker would see the 11th and might win a decision against Floyd. atsch

 

This is my dream match up. 2 of my 3 all time favourite boxers, **** would be amazing, they would bring the best out of each other, they would both be the best we had ever seen them. as to who would win, beats me!

 

floyd wont even fight the guys who are his biggest challenges in present day, much less a real legend like whitaker. floyd vs pac now anyone? no lets just stick to floyd fantasy match ups where he always wins

 

You have some serious hate issues mate, doesn't sound healthy to me.

 

Tough fight for both. I lean towards Whitaker because he threw a lot and had an excellent jab, and just as good a defense.

Tough fight, would be great. 2 of my favourites :bbb

 

Did people not see Roger knock down Whitaker and give him all hell, we all know Roger aint on Floyds level

 

Whitaker gets out of the gate quicker as he didn't have to take a few rounds to get adjusted to his opponent, he clearly outjabs Floyd and outworks him down the stretch. By the time Mayweather seriously gets into the fight, he's already given up about 4 rounds and, at best, he'll split the remaining 8 with Pea.

Whitaker's jab, workrate, and even stronger inside game with see him take a clear but highly competitive and tactical decision.

 

A young Floyd said he got the better of a past his prime Pea, but prime for prime Pea would take Floyd to war. Yes Uncle Roga took Pea to war and no Roga wasnt on Floyds level, but people forgetting Pea whipped that ass. Floyd would of beaten Roga too, but he would of struggled against his jab and monster right hand. Pea in his prime never ko'd and Floyd at 130-135 is overrated. His loss to Castillo proves that. Great fighter yes, undefeated **** no. Southpaw, high ring IQ, and willing to trade bad matchup for Floyd. Floyd doesnt hit much harder than Pea. Remember, Pea dropped a prime Oscar Floyd only stunned a very past his prime DLH.

 

Competitive fight. Probably quite close.

Whitaker always looks spontaneous and instinctive in the ring -- he pulls tricks out of the bag on the spot and he can be quite unpredictable. Floyd, on the other hand, is very business like and economical. He rarely takes risks and just gets the job done in an efficient manner. It would be interesting to watch.

In terms of defensive ability, both fighters will be in unknown territory -- they've never faced someone who is actually just as good at their speciality as they are. The first few rounds in particular will be a bit awkward, with both of them trying to figure out a way past the defence of the other. I think Floyd will have the tougher time, though, due to Whitaker's southpaw stance -- it will make things even more awkward. He tends to fight southpaws in a more aggressive way with the high guard, and I think that would be a bad strategy against Whitaker. While Floyd comes forward trying to nail him with right hand leads, Whitaker will be ready to counter and catch him on the way in. The first few rounds of the Judah fight are a good example of this in action, even though Judah is a very different fighter to Whitaker.

Whitaker also has one of the best jabs I've seen, and this is another thing that can seriously trouble Floyd, especially when he's in his shoulder-roll stance. To top it off, Whitaker has a good workrate, and he doesn't fade down the stretch either. Floyd's strategy of pot shotting from the outside is going to be difficult in this situation. Whitaker is also a pretty good body puncher, so Floyd won't have a good time on the inside.

That being said, I think Floyd has the faster handspeed, and his best punches are the recommended tools against a southpaw -- the straight right and the left-hook. The right hand will probably be a particular problem for Whitaker, once Floyd gets the timing and distance down. He's also more powerful than Whitaker, and he's just as crafty in the ring.

I have a feeling that Whitaker wins, but it's a close, awkward fight where both fighters struggle to land.

 

:deal

 

Floyd Mayweather almost 36 years old still undefeated.

There's no blueprint NONE!!

 

I'd lean towards Whitaker. He had such a good jab and his volume of punches would trump Floyd, along with his equally impressive defensive capability.