Who would you favor in this match up? You have 2 talented fighters that had some weaknesses and fell short when they fought against world class fighters. Roger Mayweather was probably the better fighter of the two in terms of resume but how would he do against a speedster like Davis Jr?
Wow a real,real tough one! Both very talented ,yet both were very flawed. Davis couldn't crack a egg with his punching power, but possibly could hurt Mayweather. Mayweather was a carbon copy of Hearns but with a much worse chin. He could match Davis's hand speed with his own quick hands. Davis would need to fight cautiously, because his chin wasn't great, and Mayweather could bang with the straight right hand. Behind his very good jab, and threat from his big right hand I lean very, very, slightly to Mayweather by a very slim dec.
This would be a tough one to crack, both fighters have wins over good fighters, both had speed, and both were defense oriented. Davis lost a unanimous 15 round decision to WBC Lightweight Champion Jim Watt on June 7 1980, and a split decision loss to Edwin Rosario, on June 23 1984, for the WBC Junior Lightweight Title. He was defeated by James McGirt, by KO 1, on July 31 1988, for the IBF Junior Lightweight Title, as well as a loss to Hector Camacho in 1987. He posted several good wins, but unlucky in title bouts. Roger Mayweather , wins this one by unanimous 15 round decision. He has more of a desire to win, and would have Davis back peddling, landing quick combos while avoiding return fire from Howard. Even though Roger was stopped by Chavez in 1985, he still has too much skill and power.
Howard Davis was one of the best amateurs I have seen and I seen him in the amateurs with another star Ray Leonard - both stood out, however Howard stuck with his dad in the pro's and did not advance and correct the mistakes that were needed going into the pros - one of them being the Ali lean back (which could be dangerous with a fighter who knew the art of the feint) As a pro Black Mamba was a technically better fighter with a strong right hand - I seen Howard in the amateurs for years he was an amateur star much like Mark Breyland but did not live up to his potential like Mark and Sean O'Sullivan and power punching amateur Willie Dewitt - a good finishing trainer makes a tremendous difference in raw talent as history lays out
Davis on points. Mayweather has more power. Both have great jabs and handspeed. Both can be hurt, but Davis has better recuperative powers. Both can move well. Davis had better stamina. The main point is Mayweather is a little too selective, ie not letting his hands go enough and is likely outhustled for a points loss.
Love both boxers. Both are very fast and both could keep up with one another. Chins. At lightweight Mayweathers chin would give out. Pea dropped him hard. Pendleton crushed him. Davis in my opinion has the better chin- but by not that much. Goins bounced him off the canvas multiple times. Baltazar dropped him. Heres the one weapon that tips it in Mayweathers direction: righthand power. Roger could hit with that righthand and could knockout most when it landed. Davis has no power. Just speed. I see Mayweather dropping Davis and then finishing him in the late rounds. Sure Davis will have his moments but Mayweather can match him in speed and then has the huge power advantage.
Howard was faster, though Roger was no slouch. Think Davis could do just enough to win a unanimous decision at 135.
