http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE2XLbVcLxI This right here is Mayweather Jr's professional debut match -- I always think that it's interesting to look back and see how a boxer develops over time, especially the significant figures of the sport in history. I was watching this and just had to shake my head at some points in surprise at how big of a difference there is between the past Floyd and the present one -- the fact that they called him a 'power puncher' is also quite jarring, given that most people today scoff and say that Mayweather can't break an egg (and although I believe his power is underrated, it IS true that he lost a lot of it due to climbing so many weight classes). What also struck me was how close he was to his father, and how crazy it seems today to look back and see that. Just a pretty interesting video to look at, especially considering that we're so close to one of the biggest fights of his career.
Well I was watching his fight with Tony Pep and comparing it to his fights with Baldomir and Delahoya. I've noticed he's slower, doesn't look as sharp as he used to be. Back then Mayweather used to please the crowd being both offensive and defensive it was a beautiful thing to watch, but now he's just too defensive, his game has become sloppier as well.
Of course he's not as fast. He was at a much lighter weight when he started. He's still faster than his opponents, that's all that matters. He was much more aggressive and more offensive minded back then. I wouldn't call him sloppier either.
True, he's kind of gone into the whole 'potshot only' mode these days, although I liked the combinations he was unleashing on Gatti.
U guys have to remember his hands are fragile, that's why he doesn't let his hands go like he did in the lower weight. So he's more defensive minded at times.
Floyd has become more defensive and his power has diminished a lot as he has moved up. But at the same time, he has gotten better technically and defensively.
