p4p Sweet Pea vs Pretty Boy @135

Whitaker UD.

 

This mythical fight has been done a fair bit on here... The general consensus was Sweet Pea, and I agree, although I don't think it'd be as wide as most other people make it out.

I've ALWAYS said Pea 7-5 Mayweather, but still clear, although because some judges had a tendency to not like Pea's style, perhaps SD Whitaker.

Take a look at some of Whitaker's fight where he's up against a counter puncher. He still wins it off course (his first real loss, and shouldn't be counted, was against Trinidad - meaning he was basically undefeated his whole career), but he is hit WAY more often than normal (normal is very rarely, so WAY more than normal isn't bad AT ALL). And when in a counter-punching battle, his accuracy isn't the same...

I think PBF would be one of the best defensive fighters and counter punchers Sweet Pea would have faced, and in turn, would have given him SLIGHT problems.

Still, a clear 7-5 for Pea to me.

 

All good. I always like discussing this fight... It woulda been an oldish thread, for sure.

 

Whitaker wide UD, 9-3, maybe 8-4. I've given my thoughts on this matchup far too much to comment any further. Let someone else explain.

And yes, this matchup has been done to death.

 

130 and 135 Mayweather has a better chance at winning than most people think.

 

I would go for Mayweather.

At the lower weights he was much more 'judge friendly' and naturally attacking than Whitaker, and still retained his defensive ability, which was close to PW.

Both are supreme athletes and boxers, but I would shift in Mayweather's favour, on points obviously.

 

Whitaker 8-4. Maybe 7-5. But not a really close 7-5, it would be apparent Whitaker is the superior specimen.

 

More naturally attacking? Why does Whitaker hold compubox records for punches thrown and landed if that's the case? Workrate is what Whitaker clearly had in his favor, as well as ability to press a fight with his jab. Mayweather never had that type of style.

 

I worded that wrong - Mayweather is more heavy handed IMO.

Admittedly I have seen a bit more of Mayweather, but feel he can break any style of opponent down and alter his work to suit. No doubt Whitaker could as well, but that is just my opinion.

The tendency to over-rate fighters from past era's may be kicking in amongst some posters as well - though that is not meant to patronise.

 

**** it, I'll break it down in a nutshell.

What does Floyd have as an advantage on Pea? Or rather an advantage that would swing the fight in his favor? If someone says power I'll just laugh it off.

Pea has Floyd at least equaled in all of his strengths. The edges Pea has are workrate, the southpaw position, and the jab. Floyd has admitted to being bothered by southpaws, we've seen susceptibility to a top notch jab at times, and his workrate is what would more than likely get him the Decision in the judges eyes, given both fighters accuracy.

Also, Floyd's need to adapt is what would lose this fight clearly for him. Most top fighters he's faced he's needed to adapt to, losing early rounds or being ineffective in the process. This would hurt him early on against Pea, who never had to adapt. He'd lose early rounds for sure, and buy the time he'd more or less learned to cope, he still would't hold any advantages that he could use to exploit Pea.

8-4 at best.

 

I could say the same about the tendancy to overrate modern fighters by claiming past fighters were "primitive" or some bull****.

 

I agree, Mayweather threw a lot of combos at this weight. Very aggressive on offense while still being defensive. The most accurate puncher in boxing history.