Floyd Mayweather vs. Pernell Whitaker

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Thread Stealer, May 4, 2015.


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  1. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    Pretty close overall in both defense and offense. Floyd has more consistent pop in his shots. Whitaker could do more damage with single left hands, do to timing or loading up on it or whatever. He unified the LW titles on a single left hand in the 1st round against Nazario, basically ended the Lomeli fight with one left hand, rocked Chavez briefly in the 8th round of their fight, and turned the Hurtado fight around with one left hand, and then almost killed him with the follow up lefts while Mercante Jr. stood there and watched. I guess Mercante Jr. can be really active when it comes to helping fighters "suck it up" and deliberately ignoring the requests of the chief second, but just stands there when guys almost get killed with punches.

    Whitaker had the superior jab as his right jab was simply brilliant, although Floyd's jab is excellent too, as he has the best jab to the body I have ever seen. Floyd's left hook is better than Whitaker's right hook IMO. Floyd's straight right is better overall in effectiveness than Whitaker's straight left. Whitaker has the edge in workrate and combinations. They are both excellent body-punchers. I give Whitaker the slight edge due to him letting his hands go more and how frequently he contorted his body to get the angles on body punches. There is one instance early in the 8th round against Hatton that I've seen probably 1,000 times because it's so great to watch, when Floyd pivots his body to get the angles on these bodyshots against Hatton (during the part when Manny Steward says Ricky is bringing out the best out of Floyd). He then again uses the jab to the body to set up a right to Ricky's head.

    Whitaker did this quite often. He got these weird angles due to his body movements and how he got low. Unorthodox but not necessarily technically unsound either, it would give him angles for offense and also for defense.

    Anyway, on offense they are pretty close as they both have areas in which they were better at. Whitaker had an edge on defense. I doubt anyone would get hurt since they were defensive masters and the chances of Whitaker landing a shot on Floyd like he did against Nazario or Lomeli is very slim.

    I think Whitaker's pesky jab and superior workrate would be the difference in a close decision. 7-5
     
    Thread Stealer, May 4, 2015
    Thread Stealer, May 4, 2015
    #1
  2. 88Chris05

    88Chris05 Active Member Full Member

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    Pick 'em at Lightweight, with maybe a slight edge to Pea if I had to take one over the other.

    At Welter I'd have to go a little more confidently with Mayweather, though. He has handled the additional weight a little better than Whitaker and lost less of his balance and blurring speed as a result. Not that Pernell wasn't still very fast and elusive as a 147 pounder, but I think he lost a bit more of his sparkle north of 140 than Floyd has.

    Whitaker by 55:45 ratio at 135, Mayweather by something closer to 65:35 at 147.
     
    88Chris05, May 5, 2015
    88Chris05, May 5, 2015
    #2
  3. Big Ukrainian

    Big Ukrainian Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'd wish Sweet Pea had Floyd's dedication and clean lifestyle. He could've been very good in his late 30's too.

    Prime vs prime it's too close. I'd pick Whitaker at 135 and Floyd at 147.
    The draw is very possible also
     
    Big Ukrainian, May 5, 2015
    Big Ukrainian, May 5, 2015
    #3
  4. Oxygene2

    Oxygene2 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I'd take Mayweather at 140 and above. 50/50 at 135.

    I honestly believe Mayweather is slightly superior and more complete, but Whitaker was a dazzling and instinctive talent... less rote than Mayweather - less robotic. Perhaps he dazzles his way to victory at 135.
     
    Oxygene2, May 5, 2015
    Oxygene2, May 5, 2015
    #4
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  5. kovalevtheGoat

    kovalevtheGoat The Chelyabinsk Machine banned Full Member

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    floyd.
     
    kovalevtheGoat, May 5, 2015
    kovalevtheGoat, May 5, 2015
    #5
  6. Izaak97

    Izaak97 Active Member Full Member

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    Money May all day
     
    Izaak97, May 5, 2015
    Izaak97, May 5, 2015
    #6
  7. Balder

    Balder Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    5 punches landed a round. Snoozer......

    Draw
     
    Balder, May 5, 2015
    Balder, May 5, 2015
    #7
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  8. heizenberg

    heizenberg Well-Known Member Full Member

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    This is a very tough one to call... I think Whitaker forces Floyd to take the offensive by troubling him with his speed and combination punches. Overall I see it coming down to the wire I'm about 50-50 in a lightweight bout at Welterweight I see Floyd being able to pull head by a round or two in what I think would be a much better fight then a lot of people expect.
     
    heizenberg, May 5, 2015
    heizenberg, May 5, 2015
    #8
  9. Console Command

    Console Command Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Whitaker made more mistake offensively ( left himself more open while attacking ), floyd is more conservative.

    I think Floyd edge a close victory / split decision at 135 and at 140 + he wins more decisively ( but really competitive fight )
     
    Console Command, May 5, 2015
    Console Command, May 5, 2015
    #9
  10. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Roger Mayweather gave Whitaker all he could handle, Roger couldn't carry his nephews jockstrap...
     
    Wass1985, May 5, 2015
    Wass1985, May 5, 2015
    #10
  11. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Whitaker pretty clearly. I used to say it could go either way but it's clear Floyd just doesn't box well against southpaws because he gets the angles all wrong and Whitaker would make him struggle with his movement and jab.
     
    PowerPuncher, May 5, 2015
    PowerPuncher, May 5, 2015
    #11
  12. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Didn't Mayweather embarrass Whitaker in sparring whilst a teenager???
     
    Wass1985, May 5, 2015
    Wass1985, May 5, 2015
    #12
  13. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    You believe that? World champions usually don't beat the **** out of teenage kids
     
    PowerPuncher, May 5, 2015
    PowerPuncher, May 5, 2015
    #13
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  14. KuRuPT

    KuRuPT Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Whitaker by clear decision at 135 and 140. Fights I don't think would be particularly close. You can't out finesse and out ring generalship whitaker, just not happening. Very clear decision there for me. At 147 it because closer, but again, I see Floyd struggling with Whitaker's southpaw stance and his output is vastly less than it was at the lower weights. You aren't going to win fights against Whitaker throwing very little punches. Whitaker's jab alone would land more if that was the case.
     
    KuRuPT, May 5, 2015
    KuRuPT, May 5, 2015
    #14
    Smoochie likes this.
  15. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Tony Ayala jr.

    Wink
     
    LittleRed, May 5, 2015
    LittleRed, May 5, 2015
    #15
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