Sugar Ray Leonard, who was the first boxer to procure more than $100 million in career earnings, was the entire package and would have stopped Mayweather. He was just as spectacular a defender, with an iron chin and knockout power, and he had a mean streak. Check it: Leonard won titles in five weight classes and defeated International Boxing Hall of Famers Wilfredo Benitez, Tommy Hearns, Robert Duran and Marvin Hagler. Who else can say that?

Marvin Hagler was the undisputed middleweight champion for eight years. He fought at 159 pounds, which was around the weight Mayweather was when he defeated Canelo Alvarez Saturday night. Hagler was an underrated boxer who would have cut off the ring and pounded Mayweather into submission.

Thomas Hearns, the 6-foot-1 aptly nicknamed “The Hitman” and “Motor City Cobra,” was considered a freak to be that tall and skinny, to fight as a welterweight and yet provide some of the most resounding knockouts in boxing history. His speed, reach and accuracy with his left jab and power would have dismantled Mayweather.

Roberto Duran might have quit against Sugar Ray Leonard in their rematch, staining his reputation, but “The Hands of Stone” was as crafty a defender as Mayweather, with more power and more aggression. Duran would have roughed up today’s best pound-for-pound and pounded him to a decision victory.

Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker against Mayweather would have been an intriguing matchup, but perhaps boring because both men would avoid hits and would be effective, but not overpowering punchers. Whitaker, an International Boxing Hall of Famer, won the welterweight and light middleweight championships. Whitaker was more stylish, flashy and significantly, a lefty, and in a close match, would have out-pointed Mayweather.

http://atlantablackstar.com/2013/09/16/5...ayweather/

Thoughts?

Discuss.

What about Chavez?

Not really fair to compare some of them to Floyd because they are 160 while Floyd is not 160.

Well, most people consider their primes to be:

Sugar Ray Leonard - welter

Marvin Hagler - middle

Thomas Hearns - welter

Roberto Duran - lightweight

Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker - lightweight

So it is a fair comparison outside of Hagler.

---

As a side note, I am not even sure what weight would be Mayweather's prime weight.

He just seems to get better.

Street fight or boxing match???

Just kidding, I know you mean boxing.

On the street, I would take Duran over any of those guys

Duran was once asked who was the toughest guy he ever fought..?

He said it was some guy in a bar in Panama. He said they fought for 40 minutes!

A 40 minute street fight!

Quote: (11-22-2013 02:01 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  

Street fight or boxing match???

Just kidding, I know you mean boxing.

On the street, I would take Duran over any of those guys

Duran was once asked who was the toughest guy he ever fought..?

He said it was some guy in a bar in Panama. He said they fought for 40 minutes!

A 40 minute street fight!

"Yes, it's true I once knocked out a horse. It was at a fiesta in my mother's home town of Guarare. Someone bet me a bottle of whiskey that I couldn't do it."

- Roberto Duran

Have any of you guys read Sugar Ray Leonard's autobiography? I thought that was a great book, and he shows his mean streak in it.

My 2 cents:

Hagler, as you pointed out, is really a middleweight. So not a fair comparison. (Hagler vs BHop is one to ponder on for another post)

Leonard: He is the only one who would be a clear favorite in my mind. Had the speed and punching power to match Money. I'd lean Leonard but not inconceivable Money would beat him.

Hearns: If I could make any of these fights a reality, it'd probably be this one. His reach advantage would give Floyd fits. I think Money would be slightly favored but the excitement factor and variability of possible outcomes make this the most entertaining in my mind, and essentially, a toss-up.

Duran: I'm a big Duran fan but I would like Money in this one. Bad match up for Duran. Not the best defensively and Money is prob the most accurate puncher I have seen. Huge reach advantage for Floyd as well (72" vs 66") I think the author is way off on this one. Would take Floyd by UD. (*light welterweight contest)

Whitaker: A defensive master, this one goes the distance. I'll take Floyd in a SD.



I would add that I think Floyd's best P4P weight is light welterweight.

It's rumored that Duran LET "Irish" Pat Lawlor beat him one time because he liked Lawlor, they had partied together and he wanted to help Lawlors career. Lawlor probably gave him some free cocaine. This was one of Roberto's last fights and he didn't give a fuck anymore.

Roberto turned pro at 15. Most guys are barely wiping their own ass at 15.

I once saw "Irish" Pat Lawlor walking in front of my house, he is from SF, I went out and talked to him for a few minutes. He was drunk!

Also, the best nickname in boxing is "Irish" Mike Perez (A Black Cuban who moved to Dublin!)

Quote: (11-22-2013 02:08 PM)Cyr Wrote:  

Have any of you guys read Sugar Ray Leonard's autobiography? I thought that was a great book, and he shows his mean streak in it.

Can you share any examples of Ray's "mean streak?"

Thanks

Quote: (11-22-2013 02:10 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  

It's rumored that Duran LET "Irish" Pat Lawlor beat him one time because he liked Lawlor, they had partied together and he wanted to help Lawlors career. Lawlor probably gave him some free cocaine. This was one of Roberto's last fights and he didn't give a fuck anymore.

Roberto turned pro at 15. Most guys are barely wiping their own ass at 15.

I once saw "Irish" Pat Lawlor walking in front of my house, he is from SF, I went out and talked to him for a few minutes. He was drunk!

Also, the best nickname in boxing is "Irish" Mike Perez (A Black Cuban who moved to Dublin!)

Quote: (11-22-2013 02:08 PM)Cyr Wrote:  

Have any of you guys read Sugar Ray Leonard's autobiography? I thought that was a great book, and he shows his mean streak in it.

Can you share any examples of Ray's "mean streak?"

Thanks

Yeah, he talks about how he was molested twice as a child (once by a guy who was a coach in the olympic setup) and how he had all this anger that he wanted to release. He said it pissed him off how people acted as though he was a really 'family-friendly'/ well mannered boxer. (That was just a charade). In his book I think he said "I loved destroying other men".

Leonard- Floyd
Hagler- Bruising fight ill give it to Hagler.
Hearns - Floyd, Hearns suffered from that glass jaw syndrome
Duran- Duran would stop Floyd in his tracks
Whitaker- Floyd, to me no contest. Although seeing Whitaker in the later years fight with bum knees, one arm and still win is exciting,

Other notable
Benitez- I think Floyd looses this one

Quote:Quote:

Duran- Duran would stop Floyd in his tracks

[attachment=15524]

Agreed

Classic 80's

Take that Mayweather!

And if they can't get the job done they have these guys backing them up.






or these guys (badasses)

I'll tell you that Sweet Pea is one of my favorite fighters of all time, and may have outmaneuvered Floyd in a 12 round fight, but I wouldn't bet against Mayweather.

I don't like Floyd as a person, but I don't think any fighter has had a better understanding of boxing than him. There was a few videos floating around where he was teaching various people techniques, and I was stunned that he could explain in detail some of the most intricate aspects of fighting. I had thought Floyd was a RJ jr reflex type guy, when he is truly a pedant of the sport. That is what makes me not want to pick any fighter to beat him.


I will say that a younger Floyd vs Salvador Sanchez at 130lbs would have been a great fucking fight.

Quote: (11-22-2013 03:28 PM)Katatonic Wrote:  

I'll tell you that Sweet Pea is one of my favorite fighters of all time, and may have outmaneuvered Floyd in a 12 round fight, but I wouldn't bet against Mayweather.

I don't like Floyd as a person, but I don't think any fighter has had a better understanding of boxing than him. There was a few videos floating around where he was teaching various people techniques, and I was stunned that he could explain in detail some of the most intricate aspects of fighting. I had thought Floyd was a RJ jr reflex type guy, when he is truly a pedant of the sport. That is what makes me not want to pick any fighter to beat him.


I will say that a younger Floyd vs Salvador Sanchez at 130lbs would have been a great fucking fight.

Floyd Mayweather’s Defense Explained






Amazing video.

You can see also that Floyd is cool as sh*t.

"Money" Mayweather is an act to separate people from their money.

People think he is dumb, but in fact he is a genius.

Funny how it works like that.

I'm the first to say that Mayweather isn't some beast who wins every second of every round. Not even close. That being said, although the boxers from the 80's who were listed would take some rounds from Mayweather and could all go the distance with him, Mayweather would beat all of them. No doubt in my mind.[/php]

Quote: (11-22-2013 03:28 PM)Katatonic Wrote:  

I will say that a younger Floyd vs Salvador Sanchez at 130lbs would have been a great fucking fight.

Great call.

I wish we could see that fight.

Also, guys I would like to see flight Floyd:

"Willie Pep"
"Bazooka" Limon
Kid Gavilan
Ray Robinson
Ike Williams

Quote: (11-22-2013 04:47 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  

Also, guys I would like to see flight Floyd:

Oscar de la Hoya

Mayweather fought De La Hoya in 2007. Do you mean you would have liked to see them fight during De La Hoya's prime?

Quote: (11-22-2013 03:56 PM)Merenguero Wrote:  

I'm the first to say that Mayweather isn't some beast who wins every second of every round. Not even close. That being said, although the boxers from the 80's who were listed would take some rounds from Mayweather and could all go the distance with him, Mayweather would beat all of them. No doubt in my mind.[/php]

Strong call.

Hagler?

Opps.. I forgot about that fight!!!

Oscar didn't even try his last few fights. He was just doing it for the money. I don't blame him!

I was happy when Bernard put him down with that body shot.

Quote: (11-22-2013 04:53 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

Quote: (11-22-2013 03:56 PM)Merenguero Wrote:  

I'm the first to say that Mayweather isn't some beast who wins every second of every round. Not even close. That being said, although the boxers from the 80's who were listed would take some rounds from Mayweather and could all go the distance with him, Mayweather would beat all of them. No doubt in my mind.[/php]

Strong call.

Hagler?

Hagler would have a size and power advantage over Mayweather, but I would give Mayweather the edge in pretty much every other category. As far as defense and conditioning, I don't believe any other boxer in the history of the sport is even in Mayweather's league. Mayweather by unanimous decision. The weight would be tricky, though. It would have to be 154, or a 157 pound catchweight or something. Hagler would have to cut some weight, which would of course also be a factor.

You can see also that Floyd is cool as sh*t.

"Money" Mayweather is an act to separate people from their money.

People think he is dumb, but in fact he is a genius.

Funny how it works like that.
^ This. Mayweather is a genius. Half of the people buy his fights just to see him lose or be "humbled". There is a reason he made $80+ million from his last fight with Canelo. He knows how to promote his brand with that "money" persona.

I'm going with the DC guy - Sugar Ray.