Carmen Basilio v Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Basilio. Basilio could actually outbox Mayweather if he chooses to; he's the more educated Welter with a proven ability to pick his spots even against top-notch counter-punchers like Robinson and Gavilan. More than likely though, he'd take advantage of Mayweather's flat feet and lack of strength at the weight and just put him on the ropes and give him a comprehensive seeing to on the inside, wearing him out for a late stoppage. Would probably resemble the fight with Aragon if I had to compare it to something, but with Floyd getting stopped before absorbing so much. It's the difference between a great WW and a great SFW really.

 

I agree that would be the way Basilio would win and i agree with how you see the fight going. But personally, i think Mayweather's strength at the weight is underrated and i also feel that he still has his feet. Not quite what they were at 130/135, but i thought he fought the way he did against Mosley through choice, seen as though he is a versatile fighter and that style worked to a tee on the night. Against Marquez he wasn't excessively mobile but his footwork was excellent from a technical standpoint, and against Baldomir he was on his bike on all night. In a classic way of interpreting the fight, if we're talking 'welter Mayweather', then these performances are the ones we are considering for the analysis of this hypothetical match-up. Regardless, i agree on your interpretation of how the fight unfolds and the result, i just wanted to express that opinion though.

 

The Pender fight - what the **** am I on about? I meant the Aragon fight.

 

Yeah fair enough. It wasn't a technical criticism I was making to be fair, although backing up in straight lines and leaning back is something you could talk about. I just think he's slowed down as a man in his thirties who's added muscle over the years tends to and doesn't have the ability to move laterally or keep backing off, making little shifts in direction like he did in the lower weights.

 

I've only seen his fight with Gavilan and nothing I saw suggested to me he could outbox a Floyd Mayweather Jr.

 

Yeah :good

 

Maybe you should watch the fight against, bearing in mind that Gavilan would **** Mayweather at the weight, and that Basilio tended to simply run over opponents whom he didn't respect (and Mayweather isn't getting any unless he comes into the ring with a sword).

 

I can see Basillo out hussling or bullying Floyd to victory, but I don't see him out-boxing anyone. I'll watch more, I have four of his fights.

 

Basilio was also pretty green when he fought Gavilan, not that Mayweather could have fared much better with even that lesser incarnation.

 

I didn't get the impression that Basillo was a destroyer from watching this fight...or a master boxer.

 

If you watch the fights with Robinson and Gavilan, he boxes very patiently and intelligently, watching for opportunities to slip jabs and counter in combination, slyly close the distance with head movement or draw them into a favourable exchange. He could easily employ that strategy against Mayweather's lethargic pot-shot-and-hold routine if he felt the need, though as you said it's much more likely he'd just pile on the pressure and overwhelm Floyd with strength and volume where he couldn't with bigger and better opponents.

 

You sound like you rate Floyd very highly, Itry.

 

I'm a big fan of both but I haven't seen much of Basilio that he could outbox Floyd either. Though, I have seen ALOT of Floyd and will see more of Basilio but the few fights I've seen from him he's always is in shape and is tough as nails. He's tougher than Floyd that's for sure but I don't see him outboxing Floyd. Battering him to a stoppage or a decision? Yes.

 

I haven't seen his fight with Gavilan in awhile but I saw the Robinson/Basilio fights not too long ago maybe like a month ago. From what I saw he fought smart and is tough, tough.