As i said before....Foreman never fought anyone close to Frazier's ability before first fighting him. Same with Ali before he fought Liston. In fact that's why both of those fights were upsets because most people evaluate matchups the way you do. I never said Floyd would beat Duran easily, btw, I said it'll be a pick'em. I think that's reasonable. I can see Duran cornering Floyd in spots and having success. I just see Floyd having more success overall. Leonard had fast feet, but not sure they were faster than Floyd's...even 147lbs Floyd. At best they were the same. Btw....Floyd was already past prime in the Cotto fight and Cotto only won 2 rounds anyway. I'm not minimizing Duran's ability here, I'm just saying that Floyd's ability, at 147lbs, is better than you're giving him credit for. Good chin, fast of hand and foot, reflexes, ring generalship, adaptability. Tough fight for anyone his height and shorter.
Agreed. The reason I'd pick Leonard and Hearns over Floyd is because P4P, they are equivalent talents....but at 147lbs they are naturally bigger. Both have faster hands than Floyd, possess great boxing skills and are taller with longer reaches. Too much for Floyd to overcome. A guy like Forrest is just too basic...teh height advantage wont be enough.
Height advantage is everything with pbf! Against forrest, pbf would have to take chances. He would lose a decision.
I think Floyd could beat Forrest but that's a super tough fight for Mayweather that he may not want to take. At 147, Floyd has gotten comfortable facing shorter opponents that he can control distance/range with and nullify on the inside if they get in close. Also the fact that none have a punch that could really do any damage to him plays a role.
Diego Corrales may have disagreed with you. Also, I seem to recall Oscar De La Hoya being taller than Floyd too...and I also seem to recall YOU saying that Floyd would never fight him.
A. You and I both know that despite his height, Corrales could not box for shit. Not in the classical sense that would've exploited a height advantage. B. ODH's height and reach gave PBF terrible problems....so much so, that: 1. Some thought odh won. Worst case, it was close 2. Clamoring for a rematch that pbf refused despite the huge financial gain 3. When odh jabbed pbf had no answer except to smirk 4. Pbf offense was very anemic against odh And this was an old and slow odh with his feet stuck. And who has a weak right hand. Forrest's right hand is a nightmare for pbf. Right over his stupid shoulder. And pbf could not do the hit and lean, or the forearm push. It just does not work on a taller opponent. Telling you. Pbf whole game presumes height and reach advantage. Without it, if there is not a huge gulf in talent between Floyd and his opponent, he is in trouble.
I think it was the threat of DLH's power as well as his hard jab that gave Floyd "problems". I say problems, in quotes, because objectively Floyd won 8 of 12 rounds. He made Oscar miss all night long. It's only because Oscar seemed to be more aggressive that it even appeared to be close to some fans. But...Oscar was not slow in that fight..and neither was he old.
I know. And the first Castillo fight was a clear win for pbf as well. :: And making someone miss does not win rounds.
Oh? Tell that to Willie Pep. ;) Yes, the first Castillo fight was crystal clear for PBF. Floyd won the first 4 rounds of that fight if my memory serves be correctly and the 8th, 10th and 11th. I think he may have won the 5th as well now that I think about it. Harold Lederman was off his rocker that night! Lederman is usually a good judge but sometimes he's a nutcase. I distinctly remember him even having Ricky Hatton ahead of Floyd by a couple rounds at one point.
