Example thread: Roberto Durán v Floyd Mayweather Jr The only tangibles that get used are: * the weight * a particular year or prime-era of the fighter What should be taken into consideration is: how does a Mayweather from say, 2009-12 cope with a Durán from 1977-79 when: * the fight is 15 rounds * gloves used were the old-style Cleto Reyes punchers gloves without the thumb attached or tape around the lacing * ring-size would likely to be 16-18ft * canvas surface would be of a different material * boots wouldn't be anything like today´s high-tech style * referee would be less likely to intervene The same can be said of how does Durán cope when: * the fight is 12 rds * gloves used are likely to be 10oz pillow-gloves * ring-size definately 20ft * canvas surface likely to favor movers * weight-stipulations at certain points leading up to the fight would be in the contract * drug-use stipulations and testing would be in the contract * referee would likely break-up clinches
The particular ref might play a big role in a Duran-Mayweather matchup. Duran would be at a big disadvantage fighting Floyd with bought off Kenny Bayless calling break before Duran even gets inside.
Same result in any condition. Mayweather wins. To beat a Mayweather at his best, even at 147lbs, you would have to be at the very least both taller than him and faster than him. Duran is neither. Mayweather also kills Duran for reach. May weather has never tired in a fight so we can’t assume that round 13 will come around and he’s suddenly hit the wall. Nonsense. Duran got cold cocked by Hearns and Floyd has never hit the deck in 50 fights. People automatically assume that Duran has a better chin than Floyd because mayweather is a cutesy slickster and Duran was ananimalistic pressure fighter but I believe mayweather was tougher. I wouldn’t be surprised if Floyd was physically stronger up close. Floyd manhandled Mosley, corrales, hatton, cotto, Canelo and most fighters he’s been in with. But forget all of that, it’s about styles. Floyd will move around and potshot and pull counter and check hook and shoulder roll and Duran will be discouraged. Simple as. Sure Duran beat Ray Leonard but Leonard wanted to knock him out and fought Duran’s fight.
I think each fighter is at a disadvantge in each situation and I'll explain in a non-biased, objective manner later...
I'm not saying Mayweather can't beat Duran, he was brilliant at the lower weights, but at the same time you seem to seriously underrate Duran's boxing ability.
Much easier to condition that shit out of the equation and discuss the more interesting aspects of style and ability.
No it isn't. When you look at history, fights have resulted in exactly those conditions. Classic examples: Sugar Ray Leonard eeking out a decision against Marvellous Marvin Hagler...for some of those exact reasons. Boxing is never just about style and ability...
So anyway, back to my original post....in scenario 1, Durán does a Ray Lampkin on Mayweather: the fight would be in Panama City for a start so humidity is a factor imediately, and after Mayweather winning 3 or 4 rounds, Durán just walks him down, walks through whatever pot-shots come his way, and with those old-style proper gloves, steadily brutalizes Mayweather's body and little chocolate-head in 12-15 rounds, (adds a low-blow, head-butt, few scrapes up the face with the laces, blows after the bell, etc), drops him hard and then spits on him as the indifferent ref counts him out. In the post-fight conference Durán would be his usual self: “I was not in my best condition. Today I sent him to the hospital. Next time I’ll put him in the morgue.” (Leonard Elherbe and Stafford Seabiscuit both faint.) Scenario #2? Hummm....not sure. Will think about that one....
I didn't say it was. What I said was that for discussion's sake, it is a whole lot easier to assume those incidental factors impact both fighters equally. My opinion.
