I watched some of Floyd's earlier fights the other day, and I forgot just how good he was at SFW. He didn't unify all the belts or clean out the division, but he completely dominated 2 of the best guys at the weight in Hernandez and Manfredy at just 21, and later dominated Corrales.
I think Floyd is up there for sure. His accomplishments and boxing skill are underrated because...well....he is not the most likeable guy. He never built that loving fan base like Joe Louis, Ali, Pacman and others. But, when you take the popularity contest thing out of it and you just look at skill, boxing ability, endurance and ring IQ, Mayweather has to rate very highly. He is a guy a lot of people love to hate but he'd be even money or a favorite over any SFW or LW I've ever seen.
Duran vs Mayweather would have been a great one. Duran at his best and Mayweather at his best would be one for the ages. Damm Mayweather could be so hard to hit when he didnt want to be hit though. Duran was at his best if you tried to fight him. I dont think Floyd would try to go toe to toe.with him. I'd give the edge to Floyd because I think Duran would have some but limited success connecting.
I see Duran vs Mayweather going the way of JCC Senior vs Pernell Whittaker. JCC, as much of a wrecking machine as he was, could not get untracked against Pernell. He could.not.get past Pernell's defense.
Mayweather is a heavy underdog against Duran. That's a fact. Anybody who beats a prime Ray Leonard will be a heavy favorite against Mayweather.
Throughout his career the style that posed him most problems and some say that beat him is poor mans versions of Duran in Castillo and Maidana..I think Duran outpoints him without a doubt, some moments would be beatdowns imo
