Floyd is a great fighter and definitely an ATG. I think he might be the most gifted boxer we've seen in quite some time. I only see one thing about Floyd that keeps me from putting him higher on the list, and that is his reluctance to throw combinations. I understand that he is a "safety first" fighter, and I can't say that I blame him in the least bit, but the ability to throw effective combonations has got to be one of the top determining factors in determining an ATG status. Floyd has shown us that he's not afraid of fighting bigger, capable men. He's shown us that he can box toe to toe with the likes of Shane Mosely and continue to stand his ground and even move forward a little. He's got a good chin (anyone who doubts that should watch his reaction to Shane's punches), he rates among the very top elite when it comes to defense.....Why doesn't Floyd finish his opponents the way that Pac and others are able to do? Why doesn't he throw 8 punch combinations? or 6 or 5 or 3....just 1-2 and how does that effect his ATG status?
he doesn't really need to bc he feints so well. most fighters need to put punches together so they can land. also when you put combos it is also easier to get countered.
When you throw multiple punches you leave yourself open to counters. This is boxing fact. Floyd, being a master boxer and counterpuncher, is virtually impossible to counter and this is one of the big reasons why. He will throw vicious combinations if he has no respect for you (Arturo Gatti) or if he has you hurt (Chop Chop Corley), but since he's been at 140 he's been mostly a hard 1 punch or hard 1,2 punch fighter, who looks for single punch counters defensively. A big key to his success. A big key to Roy's success in the 90's as well.
The answer is because he fights smart...to a fault. A win is a win, whether you let your hands go or not. He doesn't really care if he goes down as a great combination puncher so much as a perennial winner. It may not be what fans want or like in a boxer but it's his prerogative...and it keeps him in the win column. You'll never see 4-digit output from Floyd. In fact, if he ever cracks 500, I'm a ******'s uncle.
I think this was discussed either on the PPV or 24/7. It puts Floyd at risk. If Floyd throw that many punches it leaves him open to counters, throw his balance off, etc. If you watch fighters that throw a high volume combination sequence they miss more than they land. Floyd is the most accurate modern day boxer according to punchstat's history. Do not think it has any bearing on his greatness.
When he was younger he'd let his hands go more when his opponent was severely outclassed and he would just get them out of there. As another poster said, winning is his perogative, whatever it takes to get the win. If that means playing it safe, then so be it.
When most boxers throw lots of shots they tend to miss with quite a few, whilst leaving themselves open for counters. Floyd is accurate so doesnt have to put that many punches together to hit his opponent. Plus he is defensive minded he doesnt want to get caught with a big counter!
He doesn't need to I wouldn't consider it a weakness because he's so very accurate with what he does throw. Even when he gets caught he recuperates (see Corley or Mosley fights) and manages to find a way to figure out his opponent and get that W. Even becoming more defensive minded recently doesn't affect him negatively to the point where he's put in the position he needs to let his hands go. If it ain't broke...