How do Floyd's wins over ageing greats compare to Oscar's

In comparing the careers of two great fighters, I'm looking at the wins they hold over ageing greats and seeing what people think.


Floyd's win over Mosley - Shane was 38 years old, and has done little since. However, at the time Shane was coming of a devestating KO of Margarito, and was considered the man at WW. He was also ranked P4P number 3, and there are rumours that Pacquiao turned down a fight with Shane at this time. Floyd's performance was dominant, and besides the great punches Shane landed in round 2, Floyd was almost flawless.

Floyd's win over Oscar - At the time, Oscar was the WBC Champ and considered the man at JMW, was coming off a KO of Mayorga. People will however point out that at the time, Oscar was inactive, and did very little afterwards. In the fight though, I felt Oscar looked strong and sharp compared to how he looked against Forbes and Pacquiao. Oscar was clearly the bigger man, in a small ring, yet at times Floyd was walking him down. A good win for Floyd no doubt.

Floyd's win over Marquez - JMM was ranked P4P number 2 at the time, and a year earlier looked unlucky not to get the decision over Pacquiao. Floyd was coming off a 2 year layoff, and produced a spectacular performance, where he looked as good as ever, out-thinking, out-moving and out-boxing the great JMM to a near enough shutout. However, people will point out that JMM was 36 years old, and Floyd dragged him up to a weight people felt Marquez wasn't comfortable at. Clearly Marquez is not natural at 147. However, he turned in an excellent performance at the same weight 2 years later against Pacquaio, where many felt he was unlucky not to get the decision again.

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Oscar's win over Julio Cesar Chavez (1996) - Oscar wins the title from the legendary JCC. At the time, Chavez's record was 96-1-1. In an impressive performance, Oscar stops Chavez in the fourth round (first to ever stop Chavez) on a cut. However, as many will point out, Chavez was not in his prime at this point, and had been through many wars already by the time Oscar got to him. Nonetheless, a very impressive win for a young Oscar over a legendary warrior.

Oscar's win over Whitaker - Sweet pea was P4P ranked at the time, and in many's eyes was practically undefeated. Oscar in his first fight at 147 puts on an excellent boxing display against another legend, in a very close fight that many felt Whitaker won, and many felt Oscar won. That version of Whitaker, whilst he'd slowed down somewhat, was still very strong, and I personally think it's an impressive win for Oscar. As many will point out, Sweet Pea's best weight clearly was below 147, and he clearly was past his prime at that point. Furthermore, it was a very close fight many will have scored to Whitaker.

Oscar's win over Hector Camacho - Oscar pitches a near enough shutout in an impressive boxing display. Camacho at the time was undefeated in his last 21 fights, clearly coming in high on confidence. However, Camacho's prime was in the late 80's between 130-140, and prior to facing Oscar at WW, he was fighting at MW.

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I've tried to be as fair as possible in writing this up. Personally I give the edge to Oscar, because his win over Whitaker was impressive, and is in my opinion the best win out of all of those. What does everyone think?

 

Thanks for the responses guys.

at sweet_scientist

I agree with you about the Camacho win, at that point, Macho Camacho wasn't nearly the fighter he once was. A prime Camacho vs De La Hoya at 135 would have been a great fight, that I could see a focused Hector winning a decision.

I agree with you that Oscar would still have won a hard fought decision against Chavez that night. At that time, Chavez wasn't quite what he was, but he was still a very good, world rated fighter and belt holder.

Whitaker was still an excellent fighter when he fought Oscar, whilst he wasn't what he once was, he turned in a brilliant performance that night. I personally thought Whitaker won narrowly (was arguably robbed of a KD as well?), however in being fair, I'm crediting Oscar with the win. For me, this is without the best win of all those mentioned.

The Mosley name was a good win over a big name. The Marquez win deserves credit though, and to an extent enhances Floyd's legacy in my opinion.

The win over Oscar is one of Floyd's best.

By the way, I accidentally confused the 1999 fight with the 1996 fight, I'll edit it.

to PowerPuncher

I too had Whitaker winning, it was his last great performance in many's eyes. I think Harold Lederman had it to Oscar by 1 point, but Pernell was arguably robbed of a KD (if I remember correctly). The Pernell that should have beaten Chavez, would have beaten Oscar.

Agreed about Chavez, he was still world class at that point, although not the force he once was. Do you feel a prime Chavez would win a decision over Oscar? I still think it would have been a close fight, Oscar was a very skillful boxer.

About Mayweather-ODLH, Oscar had every conceivable advantage going into that fight, and was world champion as well. I thought Oscar won 116-112, once he figured out how to take away Oscar's jab, he looked much more comfortable, and I was impressed when he was backing Oscar up. Floyd clearly isn't comfortable at 154, it would be very interesting if he fought Canelo at 154 in a years time.

 

Greetings No Fear

Input from an elite poster such as yourself is always highly valued :deal

How do you think a fight between a 1996 Oscar and 2004 Floyd would go at 140? Do you still see Floyd winning a clear decision?

 

Bump

 

Floyd doesn't rehydrate, he comes into the ring at around 150, BHop would rehydrate up to 175-180. The size difference would be huge

Both are ATG's with phenomenal skill-sets. I think Floyd is the better fighter overall, but no former SFW is ever going to beat Hopkins at MW. If they were the same natural size, I would pick Mayweather by decision. As they are not, I would pick Hopkins by decision, or possibly late stoppage, the size difference is too big, Floyd just won't be able to keep Hopkins off him.

What do you think?