By modern day you mean currently active or what are the parameters? Right now i dont think anybody can. Thurman has Power athleticism and movement but he doesnt take it to the body too well and would be bullied. I dont think crawford can keep him off and Lamotta cant be completely finessed. I think prime Oscar and Tito could put up a good fight. Maybe quartey bothers him eith the jab.... Mosley is too small. Leonard maybe, Duran if he doesnt gass out. Hearns really does well until he gasses
Hell no. FMJ has a siye and style disadvantage. Lamotta on points. Fmj has nowhere near enough power to keep him off and no way of slowing the pace down because if he runs lamotta hunts him down, if he hugs, he gets manhandled and finally if he tries to stand with him or fight off the ropes he just gets overwhelmed by lamottas workrate. I respect FMj more than alot of people but Lamotta beats him easily, terrible stylistic disadvantage for FMJ. He would be facing something like a MUCH bigger stronger castillo who throws more punches, fmj has no chance at all
With no Jr. MW Divsion available back in the 40's-early 50's, anything over 147 was a MW up to 160 lbs. Also, those guys fought for a living...so interesting match-ups and rivalries were developed that earned the fighters money, and they weren't worried so much about a loss here & there.
You have to remember back then the boxers were allowed to actually FIGHT on the inside . Also keep in mind same day weigh ins- none of this crap were they come in at 160 pounds for a welterweight bout. Leonard maybe- had the speed and toughness. Hearns has a shot with his jab and reach. Mayweather would have gotten violated by Lamotta laying on the ropes- elbows,pushing, low blows. Trinadad would start fast then get caved in. Ike qould have busted up Lamotta bad with that jab but would get stopped late ahead on the judges cards Oscar maybe if he didnt brawl with Lamotta. And thats a big if. Curry until he becomes undone by Lamottas pressure- 8 rounds . Thurman does better then people think because he can move. Spence no- be like walking in a rainstorm without an umbrella trying not to get wet. Crawford maybe survives and gives Lamotta fits- Crawford has a pretty good boxing IQ and he can use lateral movement not to mention he can switch to southpaw.
