Who has shown better ring intelligence throughout their career- Mayweather or Hopkins

I don't know. I mean, when I think of the perfect modern example's of high ring intelligence, these two pop into my head before any other fighter. Tough call.

 

I was actually going to make a thread similar to this after the Pascal fight

 

Mayweather easily, he has fought and beat better fighters with out losing, Bernard would never beat a peak RJJ.

 

Floyd is smarter, he reads his opponents like books and knows their actions before they happen.

It takes lots of brains to master the Philly Shell. He just doesn't fight in the Philly shell, he can fight peek a boo, traditional etc.

 

To be honest I don't know. Off the top of my head, I can say Bernard since he has to rely on his smarts so much more than Floyd. Something like this is really hard to measure. Both are very versatile also and aren't one trick ponies.

 

A very relevant point. Bernard never had the natural athleticism of Floyd.

 

Void, because he was intelligent enough to refuse to fight Pac who would knock him out cold! Void the chicken instead beats up women, children, security guards and who knows who else!

 

bernard is more intelligent and versatile in my eyes. could floyd have been as successful without his speed and athleticism?

 

This. People say Floyd's style is boring, but he fights in the MOST dangerous/riskiest fighting stance. The philly shell would get 8 out of 10 boxers brain damage. It takes exceptional ability and ring IQ to use that style.

I'm gonna go with Mayweather, but Hopkins accomplishes the most with least amount of attributes and talent.:bbb

 

Hopkins. Does more with less....more cerebral imo.

 

And hopkins doesnt use a "philly shell" ? ? Watch a hopkins or a James toney and they have a more versatile defense then Floyd.

I don't get this Hopkins does more with less. He's not as athletic or quick as Floyd, but he certainly shows more versatility. He has a bigger assortment of punches, he's craftier on the inside, he has a more dynamic defense. Floyd does a lot of his stuff off of sheer athleticism.

Floyd's ring intelligence usually comes down to outspeeding his opponent. Getting off and moving away. Hopkins truly outthinks and schools people in the ring. And he doesn't need speed to do it.

 

I meant Hopkins shows more skill and superior thinking with less natural athleticsm than Floyd.