Mayweather v Pavlik at Middleweight

[SteveDow]

Alright lads. Fantastic display from Floyd Mayweather yesterday, absolutely schooled one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world in Marquez (albeit Marquez was moving up significantly in weight).

Was just interested in what people thought would happen if Mayweather were to step up to Middleweight in the next couple of years and fight Kelly Pavlik?

My view is that Mayweather could pull this off by winning narrowly on points and my reasons for this view are as follows:

1. Mayweather is a defensive genius who very rarely gets caught cleanly. I don't believe Pavlik could outbox Mayweather even at Middleweight and therefore would need to stop him to win the fight. Pavlik would need to draw Floyd into exchanging with him and given Floyd's patience and defensive qualities I believe Mayweather would be able to avoid being drawn in and instead would be able to use his speed and skills to outbox Pavlik. Sure he may take one or two shots but whether Pavlik could catch him cleanly enough to knock him out is another matter.

2. Mayweather has a massive speed advantage. Pavlik by comparison is very slow and would be consistently beaten to the punch in my opinion. I don't think Mayweather would be able to really hurt Pavlik which would mean that Pavlik could try just walking through Mayweather to land his shots but I think that Mayweather is good enough not to lose his discipline and to use his flashing punches to keep Pavlik at bay.

3. Pavlik fights in straight lines and would not be able to handle the unorthodox angles Mayweather can throw punches at. We saw in the Hopkins fight (of course at a completely different weight) that Pavlik became very confused by Hopkins elusive style and quick combinations. I believe Floyd could cause similar confusion.

Would be interesting to hear your views.

[Syntax Error]

I can see your logic, but do do really think that FMJ can stretch himself as far as the MW division?

[the patriot]

I can see your logic, but do do really think that FMJ can stretch himself as far as the MW division?

I'd like to see him try, after all Marquez jumped 2 divisions to fight Mayweather. Why cant Mayweather jump 2 to really prove himself as one of the best ever.

But there's still a few fights I'd like him to have at WW first - the main one being Shane Mosely

[Datsue]

Absolute bollocks.

We're talking about a guy that wouldn't fight Shane Mosley, Paul Williams & Miguel Cotto FFS.

Now he's going to fight a six-foot three middleweight.

Like fvck he is.

& frankly, even if he did somehow summon the bollocks to fight Pavlik (which I guarantee you he won't, if he did move up he will face the equivalent of Sharmba Mitchell or Gatti) he'd not win. An eleventy-billion year old Oscar made it close as Hell, simply on height, reach & a pawing -- though rapidly thrown -- left jab. Mayweather doesn't like getting hit at all (watch the Judah fight & check out his expression when Zab pings him with lefts in the opening five rounds) which is why he's content to cover up & mug when a guy who might have a chance to damage him in any way throws punches at him.

Against Pavlik he'd spend the entire time against the ropes with his Grants in an earmuff posture.

[Syntax Error]

I can see your logic, but do do really think that FMJ can stretch himself as far as the MW division?

I'd like to see him try, after all Marquez jumped 2 divisions to fight Mayweather. Why cant Mayweather jump 2 to really prove himself as one of the best ever.

But there's still a few fights I'd like him to have at WW first - the main one being Shane Mosely

I can see what you're saying, but I'd worry about Mayweather going up to MW to face a big MW like Pavlik.

Mayweather is a small welterweight & I think he'd find it tough up at MW against such a big man like Pavlik.

Like you say though, he has far better skills than Pavlik, so who knows.

As for Mosley, you're on the money with that; I'd love to see that too.

Shane maybe ancient these days, but he's still a force to be reckoned with & it would be a real test for Floyd.

[jammidodger]

Absolute bollocks.

We're talking about a guy that wouldn't fight Shane Mosley, Paul Williams & Miguel Cotto FFS.

Now he's going to fight a six-foot three middleweight.

Like fvck he is.

& frankly, even if he did somehow summon the bollocks to fight Pavlik (which I guarantee you he won't, if he did move up he will face the equivalent of Sharmba Mitchell or Gatti) he'd not win. An eleventy-billion year old Oscar made it close as Hell, simply on height, reach & a pawing -- though rapidly thrown -- left jab. Mayweather doesn't like getting hit at all (watch the Judah fight & check out his expression when Zab pings him with lefts in the opening five rounds) which is why he's content to cover up & mug when a guy who might have a chance to damage him in any way throws punches at him.

Against Pavlik he'd spend the entire time against the ropes with his Grants in an earmuff posture.

x2 he wont even fight legit welterweights.. lets talk about him moving up when he performs at his own weight first.

[alexpaterson]

I think he still has a lot left at WW to do with great fights with Mosely, Pacquiao and Cotto all p4p material and would make very good fights but if he wants to move up im sure he would do well he is just so skillful and fast

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

He may well be able to beat Pavlik but Pavlik may well walk him down

[Shirow]

Not that Mayweather would take it but if he did it would look a lot like the Baldomir fight with Mayweather playing tap and keep away all night.

[Adamj1987]

Not that Mayweather would take it but if he did it would look a lot like the Baldomir fight with Mayweather playing tap and keep away all night.

X2 pavlick wouldnt be able to keep up with mayweather reversing