Floyd by narrow decision in a fight where he would NOT open up. Both were at their best as counter punchers so neither would want to lead. That makes it a waiting game where Floyd's edge in foot speed and slightly more moves in his arsenal would earn the win. A fight that would be better described as interesting than actually entertaining
Let me just completely retract this after actually having seen the fight. This one could go either way. Mosley was close to shot. His balance, ability to pull the trigger, co-ordination - all the 'shotness' indicators I talked about before the fight.....all badly diminished from the first bell. That 2nd round raises serious questions about how Floyd deals with the Shane Oscar fought in 2000.
To be honest, I really like a younger, faster, sharper Floyd with much better reflexes much more not to get caught like he did in the fight than Shane actually figuring Floyd around and being able to pass through his skills. Mosley has always struggle with boxers and skills, always.
No it doesn't. No guarantee that Shane catches Floyd with that overhand right to the temple over the left hook which buckled Floyd's legs. That's a one in a million shot and Floyd recovered well. You would have a point if Shane was landing that at will before Floyd beat the fight out of him. That was a one off...and even then, Shane still being fresh (early in the fight) couldn't finish off Floyd...or even come close to finishing him off. Floyd was countering back and forcing Shane back before teh end of that very round. The Floyd of teh Judah fight beats the Shane of teh first De La Hoya fight.
PBF's boxing IQ is vastly superior to Shane's. 9/10 times PBF would win with the 1 other time being a KO victory for Shane. Younger Shane would have at least put PBF on the floor once after PBF was hurt.
I can't see Mosley being so tentative if we're talking about the version who defeated De La Hoya & blasted out Stone & Taylor. My God, were his hands fast, & he did something then he can't truly do anymore --- combos, combos, combos. His work-rate & the speed of his punches put together would've been, IMO, quite problematic for the more methodical Mayweather. I really think Mosley will probably be under-estimated in this match because of the whipping he caught now. The Mosley of all those years ago would've had a lot of trouble with Mayweather. Ditto for Mayweather with that Mosley. It's almost too close to call from this corner.
Mayweather's adaptability and ring intelligence would be key in winning a competitive decision. 8-4 type fight.
Prime Mosley was outworked by Wilfredo Rivera. Shane had very fast hands and some eye catching flurries but let's not act like he was some Meldrick Taylor in the workrated depeartment. he always fought in spurts and relied on his man coming to him. A smart boxer like Floyd woul dhave always given him hell. Oh...and a Prime Mosley was soundly defeated by Vernon forrest.
Mayweather wins clearly... just a much better boxer and Shane is completely one-dimensional, he's all fast hands and close-range offense, he's never been able to really adapt and counter, never been able to fight off the backfoot
