Pretty much 50/50 at 140. Floyd is the better outboxer, has the better defense, and is the more accurate puncher. However, Meldrick has the greater handspeed, workrate, and the ability to keep up with Floyd. In order for Floyd to get in his cleaner shots, he'll have to take some in return, and it's extremely hard to counter someone who throws 8 punch combos in a split second. It's also hard to pick them off from the outside, as was shown in Taylor's fight with Buddy McGirt, who looked to possibly be a bad matchup for him for that reason. Floyd's more tight and reserved defensively than McGirt though, so he'd likely not be getting hit as clean as often, but he'd still be getting outworked. His best chance would be to stay on the move and try to pick him off though, land the cleaner blows, see how the judges determine it.
Floyd would land one precision shot at a time, while Meldrick would launch 5 and 6 punch volleys. I like Meldrick to outwork Floyd in an entertaining scrap that goes the full 12. Neither of these guys were (are) at their best at 147. It would be a great fight at any weight, but at 140 it would be BLAZING.
FLoyd's better footwork, defense pay dividends scoring the better punches, making Meldrick miss and making him pay. Meldrick would win a few rounds, maybe 4, but speed alone isnt enough to beat Mayweather.
Floyd wins a disputed decision.....then Lou Duva takes a swipe at Uncle Roger, who proceeds to dump Duva on his butt. Then everybody gets fined.
Yeah it's very likely to be a disputed decision, with two camps: one that favores aggression and volume punching, the other favoring defence and accurate single shots. A bit like Calzaghe vs Hopkins (though that was a clear decision in my book), but without all the clinching and less slapping.
I like this post. I was going to pick Floyd, but you have given me suffiecient reasons to reconsider my choice.
I'd have to favor Floyd Mayweather. This would be one of the few times Mayweather has to face someone who is faster with his hands, and also Taylor has a higher work rate. What would negate this would be Floyd's more polished jab, and longer reach. Mayweather also had faster feet and footwork than Taylor and would command the "geography" of the fight more often. Because of Taylor's ability to throw 4-6 punches in bunches it would be a difficult task for Mayweather to stand and counter while infighting. Often times Taylor fought really square to his opponent and Mayweather would take advantage more than not. Mayweather is the more accurate puncher and Taylor the more flashier puncher. Mayweather will also have an edge in power. This would be a close fight but I see Mayweather's better defense, jab, and accurate punches shadding him a close descision.
Did anyone see how uncomfortable Mayweather looked against Judah in the early rounds? He didn't like being beat to the punch by a faster or equally as fast opponent. Judah looked really good, but slowed way down in the mid rounds. Taylor would not and he would keep the pressure up the whole fight. I don't think Mayweather is uncomfortable fighting off of his backfoot. Taylor should get the nod in this one.
Mayweather's power at 140 is underrated - and Taylor is well known for wanting to disregard boxing to mix it up. Mayweather would play into that, and I like his slowly busting up Taylor, who will have his moments, but will still look less impressive than usual due to Mayweather's head and shoulder movement. There would be periodic skirmishes between the two, but Mayweather would determine the tempo and range of the fight - with Taylor coming close, but losing a close decision. Mayweather - UD (6-4-2)
To a certain degree, yes. I'm not looking for a Gatti-esqe beatdown here, but he'll trade more with Taylor than he normally would. Remember, we're not talking about the Mayweather who is cautious with breakable hands - but the Floyd who will let go when the opportunity presents itself. If you don't think Floyd can mess Taylor up a little, you don't appreciate his ability to pinpoint his punches - or put some thump in em'.