The Cuban Hawk decides to shut Mayweather up. Offensive specialist vs Defensive specialist Who wins at 147?
A lot of people have tried to shut Floyd up...somehow I just don't think the Cuban Hawk does... Of course if they fought back in Gavilans day, they would most likely have fought 3+ times, leaving the door open for the Hawkster to steal one
Tricky one. Gavilan's quantity against Mayweather's quality, if you'll allow me to paint in very broad strokes. Almost no chance of a stoppage in this one; Gavilan won't land consistently enough, and Mayweather ain't upsetting the Hawk's legendary chin. Gavilan was one of those guys who wasn't a particularly big puncher, but was very aggressive with the shots he did throw. He left himself pretty open, but wouldn't get discouraged if he got countered as he was generally getting ready to throw his next shot before his opponent's counter had even landed. Mayweather at 147 lb was much more of a single-shot guy than he was between 130 and 140, and that might spell trouble for him here. Fighting like that, it's hard to effectively counter a guy who can throw 100 or more punches per round, every round. Mayweather obviously wouldn't deviate too much from his tried 'n' tested gameplan, but if he doesn't stay right in range a little more often and isn't willing to put his combinations together a little more, he might fail to make enough of an impression with the judges. I do think Gavilan was a little vulnerable against good defenders and movers (third Graham fight, controversial loss to Womber etc.) so I guess it depends on how effectively Mayweather can strike that balance between keeping it long and making sure he does enough to catch the eye of the judges, and whether or not Gavilan will be the stronger man in the ring. Given he was a more natural Welter than Mayweather, and always looked a million bucks exchanging combinations at close quarters (like against Gil Turner), I'd say he probably is. Gavilan tended to underuse his jab, but if he did get it snapping and was able to force Mayweather to stay in close a little more, he might just have the right mix of hand speed, volume, strength and size to pull this off. Would likely be very close either way. The way I'm feeling right now....Gavilan by narrow decision.
Floyd find s him a little to much , Kid's workrate putting the pressure on him for him to be effective . Mayweather throws his arm's up at the end but he knows he's lost it . Gavilan by decision .
While I do think Gavilan has the workrate, I think lesser fighters than Floyd have made him slow down and think about his next moves. Gavilan was also more vulnerable to faster single/double shot combos than combinations, I feel. The 147 Floyd would be better suited to deal with the instinctive wild man. Floyd by very close UD
Gavilan by unanimous dec. At welterweight a fighter has to have the firepower to make Gavilan respect him, or the foot speed to keep him off balance and turning. Mayweather jr. at welter had neither, And was more of a one punch at a time counter puncher so he could get back in a defensive posture immediately after he countered. That wouldn't work against a super active fighter like Gavilan, or a Henry Armstrong. Their offense would keep Mayweather focused on his defense, and before he realized it the fight would be over and Gavilan, or Armstrong would win the dec.
