I agree with this thread. The advancements in technology make it so that today's fighters are simply on another level, I mean seriously, they didn't even have internet back then, how can we even compare their primitive state to now? Because as we all know, technology affects a fighters skills, drive, stamina, technique, etc.
Floyd wouldn't even take the fight. He would never have moved up to 147 if Leonard (WBC) or Hearns (WBA) were the Champs. In 1981 there were only two belts. He would have to beat them both to be Undisputed. Floyd would lose to both. Too much risk. Too much pain. Too much death.
His chin at Welter was just fine. He was KO'd by the second greatest WW of all time in the 14th round in a fight in which he was outboxing an all time great boxer. PBF would not have lasted 5 rounds with either SRL or Hearns. "Todays standards" for anything other than heavyweight are not improved at least because there is SO much less of a talent pool now for boxing. Why would anyone box if there is some other way out? For heavyweight it's only because of increased size that today's HW's would have an advantage. The "earlier" fighters (Jeez, how did the 1980's become primitive?) had skills as least as good as today's fighters. Cotto and Margarito would do much worse than PBF against Leonard and Hearns. At least PBF is a slick boxer and might survive a few rounds. Cotto and Mararito would go right at Hearns and end up like Cuevas.
nobody survives that lethal right hand that tommy used to had, except for marvin and leonard.(hearns prime)
Clearly. Fighters now have mp3 players to listen too while doing roadwork and lets not forget Youtube for scouting potential opponents. Back then something as primitive as water was being drank for post workout rehydration whereas nowadays, G2 is available to maximize performance and even comes in a Tiger Woods edition if you are inclined.
I dont think Floyd would mix it in with the top welters(he is too small). He would be a good solid 140 pd fighter H2H though.
Hearns is my favourite boxer, but he would be ko'd in 5 seconds by Floyd. Infact, Gomez would ko him in two and Cotto would stop him before the fight just by staring him down.