Would Floyd Mayweather go 50-0 against Sugar Ray Leonard's competition?

Mayweather vs Hearns

The jab of Hearns was an extremely versatile tool that would have posed significant problems for Floyd. At 78 inches, Hearns would have enjoyed a 6 inch reach advantage. This is compounded by the speed of that jab which Sugar Ray Leonard likened to a cobra, and his mastery of feinting with it. When he did throw it, he mixed it up to the head and body. Hearns mastery of the flicker jab to maintain distance was based on his pendulum like swing of his left hand which disguised the initial motion of his jab and set a rhythm pattern which he could create to then break rhythm with arguably one of the greatest weapons in boxing history - his right cross. The threat of this one punch power made his jab only more effective, particularly when he employed a pawing jab to obscure vision to set up the right cross as he did against Duran. Floyd would also have to deal with the fact that this right cross was being delivered in a downward chopping arc from a 6'1" opponent. Collectively all these physical tools and skills complemented each other and kept most of his opponents fighting at Hearns preferred range on the outside. This would make out pointing Hearns very difficult as his offensive output at this range would be difficult to match. Floyd's defense first style with middling power would stylistically play to the Hitman's strengths.

Mayweather vs Duran

While the bulk of Duran's atg career was carved at lightweight, it can be argued skillwise he peaked just before and just after his transition to welterweight. This version of Duran is the finest example of inside fighting that exists on film. It was forged by the gleeful passion for combat of a still hungry Duran that was honed under the guidance of perhaps the finest training duo in boxing history of Arcel & Brown. Duran's use of feints as a welterweight could be mesmerizing, and allowed him to force opponents to the ropes where he could transition from the outside to the inside range. If an opponent decided to stand his ground then Duran would counter his way inside, bull rush his opponent to the ropes, or use the Fitzsimmons shift to close ground rapidly. These skills were developed to complement Duran's commitment to closing distance where his excellent power, withering body attack, and superior work rate could be employed. His grappling expertise, unexcelled guard manipulation, and his ability to dodge return fire from tactile sensations alone on the inside made fighting Duran at this range a hellish experience.

Unlike the Hearns fight, this matchup would be a fascinating one to watch because Mayweather's defense on the inside would be at a level Duran had never encountered before. Mayweather's use of a body jab to maintain distance, underrated strength, excellent lateral movement and guard transitioning from high guard to cross arm to Philly shell and back would make for an intriguing chess match. However, as was shown in the Castillo, Hatton, and Maidana fights, Floyd can be pushed to the ropes with some success by B level fighters. This would not bode well for him against the Panamanian demon.

Mayweather vs Hagler

While Hagler fought at middleweight, it was the same day weigh in era, so this is comparable to modern day junior middleweights. Against a prime Hagler it would be difficult to not envision Mayweather being hurt or stopped, as the Philly shell would be greatly weakened by Hagler's ambidexterity. But against the 1987 Hagler who had transitioned from a smooth boxer-puncher into a more ponderous slugger, Floyd's superior mobility, hand speed, and defense would have considerable success.

 

Floyd wouldn't fight Leonard's competition

 

No way could Floyd beat Hagler, and he would have struggled with any middleweight in the top 10 in 1987.

 

Irrelevant cause he didn`t go unbeaten, but the fact is his resume was far better, I do think Cotto, Judah and Hatton would have been hard fights for Ray though.

 

Hatton did not have middleweight power and was knocked out at welter, Canelo and Hatton did not have a 75 inch reach.

 

In my humble opinion Floyd would go:

2-1 vs Duran
0-2 vs Hearns
0-1 vs Benitez
0-1 vs Hagler (this shouldn't even be entertained)
0-1 vs Norris

I really think Benitez at WW beats WW Floyd. At JWW I think Floyd was still a bit of a killer and would win. Floyd was different at WW and up (also a reason why I think Norris beats him)

 

If Floyd wasn't allowed to duck below the waist in every fight, in excess of even 20 times, would he have won? That's 20 times he punches someone in the face, and cheats so he doesn't have to box them when he's out of position. He didn't DOMINATE, he CHEATED. Norris would beat Floyd, anyone bigger than Norris that Ray fought would have beat Floyd, Lalonde would have been far too big, Geraldo would probably have beaten him.

 

Post it on the General too.

Some of the answers will be hilarious.

 

No.

 

Hatton?

 

sounds good to me

there are two other notable name fighters on Leonard's resume; Norris & Camacho. Floyd would be in over his head

 

But extremely unlikely, almost laughabe

 

Duran...Floyd couldn't have kept him off for 12 rounds.

 

My only point was simply nobody could go 50-0 against Sugar Ray Leonard's opposition because he didn't have 50 fights.

Ray Leonard couldn't have gone 50-0 if he'd won all his fights. He would still need to have about 10 more fights.

Nevermind.