which guys in the previous eras beat floyd.

^It's interesting that the majority of your list are natural WW's and JMW's where Floyd was at his peak between 130-140. To make things interesting in fantasy fights, people always want to line him up with naturally bigger men than he is. Granted he looks incredible at his age, but this isn't his true peak as scary as that may sound.

I'd be more interested in fantasy fights such as Alexis Arguello/Azumah Nelson at 130, Duran/Whitaker/Armstrong/Gans/Benny/Mosley at 135 and Ceasar Chavez/Pryor at 140. And in all honesty, if him against any of these guys were at their absolute best during their matchup (no health issues/injuries,) I'd favor FLoyd against any of them.

As for those you've listed, I'd love to see a matchup between him and Benitez. The boxing IQ between those 2 men are just ridiculous and would be a helluva fight. I'd still favor Floyd in that one.

 

^Pryor's offesnive aggressiveness and his stamina would make it an excellent fight and Taylor's handspeed would probably be one of the few matchups where FLoyd doesn't have the advantage on that end, but the major issue with either of those fighters is they've never faced someone with the defensive skills of FLoyd.

The only 2 guys you can really make a claim for being as great of defenders as FLoyd is Sweet Pea (who had less power at 135 compared to FLoyd offensively,) and Willie Pep. The major difference though is that both of those fighters relied heavily on their footwork to dodge punches. Floyd can dodge punches with his footwork or just stand in the pocket with his opposition and roll of their punches onto his shoulder, elbows, forearms, or gloves. He really is the total package when it comes to defense and is probably the reason he still looks so dam good at such an advanced age. The more I watch him fight, the more I'm convinced he's the greatest defensive fighter in history (and I'm a huge Whitaker fan so it pains me a bit to say that.)

And BUddy McGirt doesn't belong in the same breath as Taylor or Pryor.

 

In terms of style, I think Chavez gives FMJ hell in a fantasy match-up. Armstrong, too. Intelligent pressure fighters of that quality are easy outs for no one, Floyd included. Add Dulio Loi to the mix. Dude was a beast at 140lbs.

Also, Floyd hasn't really been confronted with a smooth, defensive minded stylist during his career. So, it would be interesting to see how he handles guys like Joe Brown at lightweight, Locce and Perkins at JWW and Marlon Starling and Buddy McGirt at 147. These guys might run Floyd pretty close, based on their defensive awareness.

 

you have to take floyd out of his natural weight to find any real threat. speaks volumes about his ability

 

:deal

 

None because they wouldn't have a chance.

 

Willie Pep, boxes the socks off of Mayweather

 

bull**** lots of guys his size would give him a good fight.

130 - 140lb, with rehydration, old 126lb is too small for floyd

ike williams
armstrong
duran
m. taylor
m. pacquio
camacho
ross
leonard
whitaker
de jesus

there's 10 off the top of my head that would give prime floyd a much better fight than he had, and some are bound to win.

 

Interesting post and great debate. We really don't know what would happen but the guys iwould have loved to see him face are Duran, the legendary Azumah Nelson, Benitez and Mike McCallum.

 

Good to see a bit of balance in the debate...blind worship of Mayweather is no good. good post.

3 from recent history that. IMO are certain to be competitive with him for sure ...even to quite likely beat him are Duran Whittaker and Leonard.

 

i should have specified benny leonard(floyd would undoubtledly land leads with benny coming in with his hands low, but benny has the ringsmarts, speed, power and chin to cause real problems), sugar ray, like hearns, burley and mccallum ect would be huge favorites for the win imo, but they all fought at middle and would be the bigger man v floyd

 

:deal