I found The Ring from 2003. There was an article there which pitted Floyd against lightweight greats. Agree with these? Vs Joe Gans - Mayweather W by UD or late KO vs Benny Leonard - L by decision vs Canzoneri - L by decision vs Montgomery - W by decision vs Jack - L by lopsided decision vs Williams - W by UD vs Brown - W by UD vs Ortiz - L by KO10 vs Duran - L by UD or late stoppage vs Whitaker - W by close decision Floyd ends with a record of 5-5
Lol. Carlos Ortiz aint stopping Floyd, although I love Ortiz. However, Ortiz might in fact beat Floyd by decision at 135. I think it's possible. Everyone knows my position. Mainstream and casual fan hype aside, I feel prime versions of Duran and Whitaker were plain and simple better than Floyd, and would win. Mayweather-Ortiz is basically a pick em at 135. Floyd likely beats the rest on that list. Love or hate Floyd, it'd be lunacy not to admit that he matches up well against the ATG's below 147. I don't think he'd beat all of them, but he'd beat a lot of them. It's at 147, against the Leonard's, Hearns', and Robinson's, that he doesn't match up so well.
LOL Joe Gans would get annihilated in a round Leonard and Canzoneri would look a lot better getting killed I like Ike Williams chances better than Bob Montgomery's or Beau Jack's though they'd both have their moments Joe Brown would be difficult but not dynamic enough offensively IMO Ortiz definitely has a shot to win but def not by KO, that's a bizarre pick I'd favor Duran and Whitaker but Floyd is certainly live in both matchups
The only lightweight I'm completely ruling out Floyd's chanes against is Juan Diaz. I don't see how Floyd handles the footwork and pivots
I mean.. it's a bizarre pick NOW. In 03, Floyd was struggling with Castillo and was given a semi-tough fight by bum ass Victor Sosa. Ortiz would have looked like a solid favorite in 03.
I agree Floyd's later performances have shown that he was underrated here. Also, The Ring has always kept alive the Ramonza myth that the sport doesn't develop at all
To put things in perspective, in 03, ON THIS FORUM, Mayweather-Tszyu was considered a borderline mismatch... and not in Floyd's favor. There were guys who honestly believed Tszyu would end Floyd's career if they met.
I can't ALWAYS co-sign with the old timer thinking, despite what you may think. For instance, a TRULY blind old timer would probably tell us that Harry Greb would beat Roy Jones. When we all know Roy would obliterate that caveman. But, a guy like Carlos Ortiz doesn't apply. He was one of the most skilled fighters ever, regardless of era.
No, it's because Floyd had three consecutive fights were he looked unimpressive. Arguably lost the first Castillo fight. Clearly won the rematch, but it was boring and underwhelming. Then had a tougher than expected fight with Sosa, and went the distance with Sosa. The Sosa fight was probably the worst performance of Floyd's career.
People forget Floyd wasn’t really that feared and impressive in his prime. It was more his popularity boost after beating Gatti and an old DLH that suddenly put him in the running for GOAT. When he was at 130 and Mosley was calling him out people gave him a pass because Mosley too much of a beast at 135. He wasn’t seen as a lock over Tszyu at 140. He became untouchable after beating guys like Judah and Cotto.
I disagree. I believe Ortiz would have KO him in 6 rounds. Ortiz was a beast at 135lbs while Floyd was merely good.
Duran, Whitaker, and Ortiz I think beat Floyd. And I already mentioned Chavez. Arguello gives him hell. I favor Floyd there, but it’s no guarantee.
I always thought Floyd would beat Arguello via clear UD. My opinion has never changed. Probably a boring decision. Floyd would fight safety first against Arguello.
My first Hegman invitation to have my ribs roasted occurred because I picked Mayweather to decision Arguello
