Floyd is not at his peak, Pac may not either...How do you determine who is better?

I've always thought about this with other fighters. Get the fighter at the right time and you have a better chance of winning.

Let's take Pac and Floyd:

Floyd fought Shane and Oscar past their best and won. But does that make him better?
What if Shane and Oscar were at their peak like when they squared off against each other. Would Floyd beat that version of them at WW?
I'm specifically looking at the physical disadvantage at that point for both Oscar and Shane when up against Floyd. Sure, Floyd wasn't at his peak either physically, but it's arguable to say the physical part was still in his favor, and that can make a difference the longer the fight goes on.

Pac: Well Pac lost to a past prime Morales but did win in the rematch although Morales looked like garbage against Zahir Raheem. It all catches up to you quick. But does winning against that version of Morales make him better?

Ali: Ali was arguably past his physical best after his return from exile. Of course he still managed to win but what if he still had that overall physical ability, and I wouldn't discount his mental game being not quite the same for training at that point...but what if Frazier and the others had fought a Pre-exile Ali...would it have been different?

Holyfield and Tyson: Both past their best. Holyfield was active; Tyson was in jail. Mentally, Holyfield always seems to be at a high level. Physically, lots of wear and tear but he can pull out the old form somehow sometimes. Tyson, a mess all around: mentally, physically and technically.

Pac and Floyd now: Both are in their 30's now. Not quite a good age for a Boxer or even the majority of pro athletes. Now there are some benefits today like longer rest periods because you have money to back you absence, although inactivity can be a bad thing. Balance is key.
You also have modern Science to help your training and nutrition requirements catered to your body chemistry specifically...and so on. If you take advantage of it, it's up to you.

But what are we really looking at with these two?
Pac's been in some tough fights already. Yes, he looks great physically still. He has taken advantage of all that is offered, but how would you rate him for at his best?
Mentally, surely he is still on top of his game. You can tell by the way he acts in and outside the ring.
But Physically, where would he rate as of now?
There is only so much the body can take even for those that do their best to get what is needed to keep them at a high level.

Floyd: Floyd really hasn't taken that much physical damage inside his actual pro fights. That's a positive. Sparring/Training, that's a different story. His hands are messed up, he is said to have back problems, his legs are not quite the same and so on.
Mentally, who knows.


Point: How do you view it overall?

Is this the same Floyd both mentally and physically today compared to back when he was fighting at 130, 135, 140?

Is this the same Pac that was fighting at the lower weight classes as well?


How far have each declined, if they have?
Where were they at their best?

In the end, do you just view it as what they are now and who is better at this point?

I also wonder how that weighs on the fighter going into training, preparing for the fight, and going into the match.

I don't think it helped Holmes knowing he wasn't the same anymore going into the match with Tyson.

 

Agree.....................