Thinking after last night... Who has a real chance to beat Floyd?

Pac man has no chance...only Paul Williams and Shane mosley

 

Mosley is too old, and as his footspeed and defensive reflexes continue to wane, so do his chances at a win. He'd win a few rounds for sure (he's also one of few I wouldn't see wilting down the stretch against Floyd, but rather pressing even harder), but rest assured he wouldn't have the answers to Floyd's puzzle. Not at this stage, and I'm not sure he ever had the style to, really. The win over Margarito holds absolutely zero bearing on a fight with Floyd.

Williams would get tooled badly. Simple as. I don't understand why people are giving him so much of a chance despite his porous defense and innacurate punching prowess. His size is all he has going for him. Too bad he doesn't use it to his advantage the way he should, and would need to against Floyd.

Cotto will no longer be relevant after the pasting he receives from Pacquiao. An on form version would've fared better, but I vastly over-estimated his abilities even in those days. He was always too basic and open defensively to beat Floyd.

That leaves Pacquiao. He has all the tools neccessary to give Floyd the fight of his life, and I believe were they the same size his offensive firepower and ever-improving secondary skills would see him overcome Floyd's defensive abilities and safety-first style. Unfortunately, they aren't the same size, and while I could certainly see Pacquiao's speed and offense troubling Floyd throughout the first half of the fight, I don't see how a smaller fighter is going to consistently beat Floyd. Unless Pacquiao continues to improve to the point that he can adapt and switch tactics mid-fight (a possibility), I see Floyd taking over in the latter half for an 8-4 type decision.

In short, nobody around today can beat Floyd. However, that's more a testament to the state of the sport than it is to Floyd's ability. He's a very talented fighter, no doubt, but I just can't compare him favorably to the true greats of the sport, either in accomplishment or skill level. Obviously this will not be a very popular opinion, but I've watched a whole lot of boxing and I know what I see. Floyd hasn't been truly special since his 130 pound days. His tenure there is really the only reason he even has a caase as an all time great, IMO. There he stacks up with anyone to have fought at or around the weight. Since then, not so much.

 

Same as above.

Williams reach and work rate will give Floyd bid trouble.

Pac is too short for Floyd. If you think JMM is short, Pac will even be shorter. JMM is half inch taller than Pac.

 

PW...But as many already said before...it will never happen..

 

I was never a believer of Paul Williams being able to beat Floyd, but after seeing last night (in which he looked excellent by the way) I'm starting to think that unless Floyd's inability to throw combinations and have a higher workrate were due to ring rust Paul's fast pace, southpaw stance and size could really give Floyd a tough night. I agree that Shane would get outboxed and Pacquiao will probably come short. I'm personally thinking Cotto will probably lose to Pacquiao but if he does win than I would have to reconsider his chances.

 

I am not a floyd fan by any means.. but, i hardly see anyone beating him.

this guy is unreal!

wow.

 

anyone who floyds doesnt want to fight...

the top ww divisions..

 

He doesn't lack the ability to throw combinations or fight at pace, he simply doesn't. More importantly, he FORCES his opponents to fight at his pace and limits combination punching to limit opportunities for opponents to counterpunch or change the tempo of the fight. It's not a lack of ability as Floyd can throw very fluid combinations, he simply chooses not to because it's generally counterproductive to his fight strategy.

Likewise he does not maintain a relatively light pace to prevent himself from tiring out, he does it to prevent his opponent from gaining momentum. He is constantly slowing the fight down and stepping on the brakes because it frustrates opponents who desparately want to bring the fight to him. It's deeply frustrating for the people he fights because they find themselves constantly unable to get off because they are at an ineffective range, they are being stung with counterpunches, and can't get their feet set and unload more than a punch or two before Mayweather is gone. Likewise, when they do land they feel they don't feel as if they are really landing HARD because the punches slide off shoulders, elbows and gloves rather than hitting flush.

That is why Mayweather tends to take control of fights in the middle rounds...because the other guy has seen his fight plan nullified and begins to show frustration, resignation, panic, etc...and starts making mistakes in an effort to FORCE a different fight on Mayweather. Those mistakes result in more counterpunch opportunities for Mayweather and the gap widens.

Truth be told to beat Mayweather you need a guy with the same level of immense natural talent and the same level of ring smarts, patience, and confidence. You can't just beat him with a one-dimensional strategy like "pressure him, throw a lot of punches". That's ridiculous, short sighted, and if it was that easy he would have lost already. You need to be adaptable, and patient, and willing to eat leather and occasionally look stupid, because he will make you look stupid.

Frankly I don't think anyone in the welterweight division (or below) has the combination of ring smarts and physical attributes necessary to beat him, short of the outside (very outside) chance of a big puncher like Mosely landing a lucky punch.

Other eras would have had more favorible matchups.

 

Everyone is beatable, he just hasnt got in there with someone to give him problems.

 

Wow. Despite the last paragraph. Spot on analysis. Agree with every point.

 

Excellent post my friend, thnx for the response :good

 

Quite possibly the best post ever on this topic. Extremely well thought out analysis. Great post you should post more often.:good

 

PW could just agree to the WW limit and then turn up a bit heavy... right?

 

Paul would prolly be weight drained actually..IF it was at 147..at 154 Paul can fight Floyd and still be strong...THE FIGHT WOULD TAKE PLACE AT 147 REGARDLESS SO FLOYD EASY UD OR LATE STOPPAGE

 

paul williams.....however, i do think pacquiao will give mayweather fits.....southpaw