Can a 2 year layoff affect a fighter like Mayweather?

Ali was less polished post-exile in 1967-70, Leonard as well in 1984-87 but was smart to know how to work the judges against Hagler. Toney came back looking better than ever after his short break in 1997-99 and looked great at CW on his way to beating Jirov.

 

i think it will affect him somewhat, but wont be a major factor

 

Yes Mayweather will be extra cautious against JMM in the early rounds he has a lot of rust to shake off.
But he should be fine the kid has been in boxing since he was a boy it comes easy to him.

 

I dont think so... Floyd's break was plan by himself all along he NEVER stop training

 

Yes, Absolutely it will effect him.

 

It can. From a physcal standpoint Mayweather tends to be slow starter as it is. Overall I think he has the ring savy to overcome the rust.

 

Sugar Ray fought:
- Bruce Finch (who?) in Feb '82
- Kevin Howard (who?) in May '84
- ...and then Marvin Freakin Hagler in April '87

SRL had only 9 rounds of action in the 5 years before the Hagler fight (12 rounds if you go back a few more months and include Finch)...and then he came back at a weight class and a half higher than before against a Hagler that had been in the ring only 9 months earlier and was comfortable at the weight.

Remind me again how Floyd's 1yr and 3/4 out, to come back and face a JMM that has had to move up in weight is even close to something like what SRL did?

 

CAN? Yes . . . everybody gets affected by ring rust. It's not only physical but psychologically. Long lay offs can also affect a fighters killer instincts.

Reason why PBF CHOSE JMM as his opponent fro a comeback fight . . . a fight where he has all the advantages.

 

Yes it will effect even a fighter like Mayweather...luckily JMM is a few steps behind Floyd in terms in terms of size, speed and potentially power which means the rust won't be that big of a factor.

 

Yep, could be good or bad. No way to tell. If he was injured as rumored, it will be a good thing. You spend way more time training than fighting, well at least you should. So..... with a good training camp and a good rest he need not have suffered ill effects. We shall see....

 

The guy's training application is too strong. I don't foresee a problem.

 

In theory it could affect him, but come fight night people could also be surprised with his performance. Others have already mentioned some great paradigms in which the long lay-off didn't mean anything (Vitali vs Peter comes to my mind). But Mayweather will have the size and age advantages in this fight, so any possible ring-rust might not show much.

 

Hopefully Gayweather will take a shot in the mouth he will never forget.

 

I think a 2 year layoff would be bad to any fighter