I went through the same thing with my dad too ... Watch the post fight Connor interview where Floyd reflects on his career .. he gives his dad his due credit
Your wrong Mayweather`s style is exactly the same as his dad`s, there`s an interview with Ray Leonard who fought Mayweather sr and said the only difference was Floyd`s strength! SR had no power but still gave Ray trouble with one injured hand, plus the pull counter right hand that Floyd throws was often used by Ali, who must of watched tapes of the greatest and the philly shell is an old time defensive style, James Toney also used it, no a fighter cannot train himself plus Roger Mayweather helped a huge amount also.
You are correct to some extent but it was also another trainer the great Manny Steward who first got Hearns to counter punch against one of the finest counter punchers of all time, Wilfredo Benitez in 1982, it`s a brilliant tactic for a fighter with a reach advantage like Hearns had, Manny said the idea was to wait For Wilfredo to make the first move often or first throw some shots just to bait WB but not get countered while following to the ropes like Duran did vs WB.
Well the particularly brainy cerebral boxers like gene tunney, james toney, willie pep, etc would be champions in any era even with a ymca level coach.
It was more of a case of Tommy strictly outboxing Benitez rather than countering him. Hearns was happy to lead as Benitez came toward him establishing the jab early, hooking off it and throwing enough right hands to keep Benitez honest. Benitez attempted counters were often crude lunges that fell short of the mark. Hearns jab, feints and offensive threat behind them kept Benitez a step behind him almost all night.