Why does no one ever mention that Floyd is also out of his prime?

But he doesnt fight, he runs. He's not a real man. He uses defense, instead of being a honorable warrior, and letting his opponents beat on him round after round.

He's only fought marshmellows and cream puffs. He's 35, but in boxing years, he's only 19. :smoke

 

Floyd hasn't been in too many wars, Floyd's reflexes seem as sharp as ever, and his style doesn't depend as much on the mental toughness required for effective pressure (Cotto) or explosive speed and movement (Pacquiao.) Floyd's movement has slowed down, but IMO has made up for it with a more varied arsenal and sound judgment of distance.

Maybe those lay-offs did his body some good, and his amazing defense certainly helps his longevity.

 

the difference is that Floyd has the mentality to adapt as he ages. His reflexes are not the same as they used to be but he makes up for it by adapting. That deserves alot of credit though, guys like Mosley, Pacquiao, Roy Jones can't pull it off

 

I know, I'm just repeating the same BS all the Floyd haters spit when confronted with the fact that he is in fact older than many of his contemporaries.

 

Past prime Floyd is still unbeatable. Man, I love that guy.

 

Some people will say because he hasn't lost he is still in his prime. But even Roy in his 30's, even before he moved up to HW; was past his peak physically. Hopkins as well when he fought Tito wasn't quite the same fighter physically as he had been when he made his name as "X." But these people are casual viewers. People that don't watch many fights. People that won't even bother to throw on old tapes.

But People have talked about it on this site. They've said that Floyd isn't at his best. That he was better when he was younger.
People that watch boxing should know this. From 130-140, was Floyd's absolute best. His athleticism there specifically, was incredible. Even Roach has said something like this.

His passion for the sport also, admitted by him, was greater when he was younger because now; it's all about the paycheck.

And all anyone has to do is watch some fights from those days to recent and it's obvious.

However, the guy has the highest I.Q. in the game and his technique is still great so he has adapted to what he is now. And he made it work. So it's still going to be hard to beat him.


Also of note; because of his decline physically, maybe, this is part of the reason why he feels Pac is on PEDs: While he has declined over the years, Pac got better physically late.
But borrowing a bit from Ariza, maybe its because unlike Pac, these guys haven't bothered to get the training/knowledge needed to take their game to the next level to prevent a decline.
While they continue to do the same routine, stay "old school," Ariza took his athletes into the modern era (and I'm not talking about with PEDs).

 

But also remember that Shane Mosley and Oscar were past their prime when Floyd fought them. Floyd doesn't quite make them out to be "prime" as he sheds comfort within himself about these fights that they were all in their 30's when they fought.

however, Floyd needs to admit that Shane was past his best much more than he was at the time.

Guys that grew up with Shane remember this:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPj8Pu-Kp8s[/ame]

 

Because "out of his prime" discussions usually start when a fighter loses or at least shows more problems to beat his opponent.

Mayweather's last 3 performance were almost perfect.

 

Roach said that his legs are shot and that may be the reason why he won't risk it against Pac.

 

Fans, writers, and commentators were already noticing him slip a few fights before Floyd. That was in no way a prime or peak De La Hoya. Shot? No way, still a real good fighter. But prime? Absolutely not.