I'd say Floyd, but hard to compare. Wilfred fought much better competition. Floyd makes u miss wide, while Wilfred is more subtle also.
floyd moved up more weights and still maintained his elusiveness benitez was very slick though as well but flamed out quickly
atsch you're comparing a 35 year old coming in his career heaviest to the elusiveness to a 24 year old
He had better reflexes but Floyd has the more fundamental defense. It's hard to judge who was harder to hit because Benitez fought the much better opposition, Floyd's compubox numbers wouldn't be that good if he fought Leonard, Duran and Hearns.
Definitely hard to compare, mostly due to the level of competition. I can appreciate what both do defensively.
A 24 year old who'd been a rated contender since the age of 15, and a world champion by the age of 17. Boxing constantly since he was a young child. Benitez basically boxed and perfected his craft since he was a tot, involving himself in countless gym wars in the process. There's a very legitimate reason why his prime ended at such a young age. Apparently he was starting to show signs of brain damage as early as the late 70's.
I'd probably say Benitez, though they're different. Floyd's more about the guard, blocking & catching shots, rather than slipping them. Best for best, I rate Floyd as the better fighter: better mover, probably a slight edge as a ring general, and I like his offense more. Purely on getting away from shots though, I'll take Benitez.
I understand that, but lets say even a 23 year old Benitez. Yeah he's going to be more elusive than an aging fighter coming in his heaviest. Benitez was past his best, but still had a young person's body