Saddler was able to beat Pep because he was so much stronger and able to bull Pep inside, this isn't the case here and I'm not even convinced he's the better in fighter here. On the outside he was outboxed, same happens here. He may push Mayweather or maybe outclassed, I'm not sure, but he isn't winning
Yeah because Saddler didn't have good footwork?! I hate that myth that Saddler was somehow flat footed or something. For ****s sake the guy chased down Pep and Elorde, two of guys who are probably both top 10 ATGs when it come to footwork and both comparably elusive to Mayweather. Even when Pep beat Saddler in their second fight it wasn't like he completely outclassed Saddler even though it was a brilliant performance. People forget that willie was cut up badly and bruised over every in of his body and so exhausted that he fainted after the fight. Trust me there's no way this fight isn't hell for Mayweather even if he does win. Saddler was virtually unknockoutable, he was tall and rangey, he fought very dirty, he was a hell of a body puncher, he was incredibly accurate with his combinations, he had very good defense. Oh, and he's basically a lock for the top 10 hardest punchers pound for pound in the history of the sport. There are plenty of reasons to think Sandy wins this one.
One thing's for sure: Mayweather won't leave the ring looking like he did stepping through the ropes... I can definitely see Saddler being outsped and outboxed for stretches, but this is a fight that is, well, a fight- something I believe Mayweather wants to avoid at all costs. Saddler will be bulling him and mugging him all night, using every dirty tactic possible. I do think Saddler's power is a tad overrated sometimes, and although he was a supreme puncher, many of his stoppages were because the other guy took too much damage. Mayweather was phenomenal at this weight, but if I had to give the edge to anyone, it goes to the guy who made a career out of making the other guy have to adjust to him... Sandy liked a dogfight, that's what he'd make it.
Great article from ring magazine like a year ago entitled 10 guys who would have Kicked mayweathers butt: Ray Robinson, ray Leonard, tommy Hearns, aaron prior Henry Armstrong, Duran, Whitaker, de la Hoya, saddler and arguelo. Worth checking out. Anyway it discusses saddler was knocked out once in 162 fights. Also points To his devastating power and the fact that he beat perhaps the best defensive Fighter ever three times in Willy pep. I haven't seen much footage, only a clip from the pep fight. Ring picks saddler by wide unanimous. I give mayweather a shot against any fighter though.
side question: is the second pep fight available? for the thread, i'm hearing good arguments on both sides. mayweather was near flawless at junior lightweight. but then again, so was pep at feather
Jorodz, I don't believe it is, I've only seen the third and parts I think of the fourth. The funnyman, I recall an interview with Pep and Saddler where Willy said Sandy was one of the greatest punchers of all time. Also in the third go, aside from the solid knockdown by Sandy, Pep was edging him all the way as in their second go, it wasn't just something Willy was able to do that one time. Sandy didn't seem to be hard to read or hit by someone of Willy's talent, and Floyd would be in that league also.
Jorodz, I don't believe it is, I've only seen the third and parts I think of the fourth. The funnyman, I recall an interview with Pep and Saddler where Willy said Sandy was one of the greatest punchers of all time. Also in the third go, aside from the solid knockdown by Sandy, Pep was edging him all the way as in their second go, it wasn't just something Willy was able to do that one time. Sandy didn't seem to be hard to read or hit by someone of Willy's talent, and Floyd would be in that league also. Completely agree. I've often wondered at why Pep quit on his stool. The alleged shoulder injury did not appear to me be an issue the round before he quit, and he was clearly winning. Fourth match a mystery to me as well.
:thumbsupappreciate it and good insight. i've love to get a copy of that second fight someday, if somebody actually has it hidden away
