The Paradigm Shift: Floyd Mayweather beats Sugar Ray Robinson

Maidana, who you mentioned in post one, is not a fast twitch monster nor a defensively responsible fighter nor particularly skilled nor even a big Welterweight nor particularly fast....yet he was able to press Floyd through sheer workrate.

You say Floyd has a good gas tank(and he does imo all things considered) but Floyd has not shown a willingness to fight beyond a set pace in terms of his workrate. Floyd likes to throw a consistent 50 punches a round or so, mostly single shots, mostly his straight right hand. He's had several debatable fights over his career because he wasn't willing to do more to solidify rounds. So when faced with a guy that's bigger than him, hits a lot harder, is a lot stronger, is used to taking harder shots, is used to throwing a high volume in a 15 round fight, has comparable speed, and at the least very good skills both outside and inside, do you seriously think Floyd is going to step up his pace enough to match SRR and maintain his defense? It's not happening man. The best case scenario for Floyd against SRR is that he's able to maintain his defense to avoid getting stopped and SRR just outworks him to a win.

 

This

 

Why would he not be a welterweight? Not all fighters use weights

 

Agreed with Gannicus, good ****ysis. Among the rare knowledgeable posters on here.

Not much of a Mayweather fan, but looking at Ray Robinson technically, it's hard to see him being able to defeat Floyd at his best today.

 

I just don't agree with you. First, I don't buy your theory that SRR couldn't make 147. Especially since HE DID make 147. I would go on to say that today's sports science would actually make it EASIER to make weight. Just look at high level MMA fighters. Those guys walk around 30 pounds plus heavier than their fighting weight. And remember, weigh ins were SAME DAY back then. THINK ABOUT THAT!!! He could not REHYDRATE the DAY BEFORE the fight. Come on man. Just think about what you're saying. Modern sports science, world class nutritionists, and a day to rehydrate for a man who fought 80 90 times at 147??? And you're saying he COULD NOT make 147 today? Plus he was a fabulous athlete. His physical gifts helped him dominate.

 

Floyd has the advantage of modern training and nutrition.

I'm skeptical to the idea that a great old fighter could beat a modern fighter. Do you really think Jesse Owens could compete in modern athletics?

 

Yeah, he was a fabulous athlete...For his time period.

Athletes today are more athletic.

 

But can't box as good as guys like Robinson

 

Do you have proof of that? How much footage of Robinson is there, really?

Has anybody on here actually seen footage of Robinson at WW, when he was supposedly at his best?

 

If it were football or basketball, I'd agree with you. Today's athlete are bigger, stronger, faster in general. But when it comes to boxing and baseball, for that matter, those guys in the past are arguably better. A 95mph fast ball in 1950 is the same as now. A welter weight in the 1950s is the same as a welter weight in the modern era. Competition was way better in the past. Today's boxing is watered down by all of these different alphabet championship belts. In the past there was only ONE champ per division.

SRR was bigger and stronger than Floyd at 147. He was fast, as well. Maybe not as fast as Floyd, but fast enough. SRR would stop Floyd.

 

:good:deal

 

I don't think Floyd would even be allowed to fight like he does in Robinson's day without being disqualified for excessive holding or stalling. I hesitate to even call what Floyd does these days boxing, although he was beautiful when he was young.