Fantasy Matchup: Tszyu v Mayweather, 140lbs, 2000-ish

[dookus]

So these two sadly never met, partially thanks to Hatton's win over Tszyu. Seeing as Mayweather won 8 of 10 rounds over Hatton en route to knocking him out, you'd have thought the formline favours him.

But I think an equally important common opponent is Judah. Tszyu faced an undefeated Judah and had him figured out, lined up and knocked out within 2 rounds; Mayweather, facing a Judah off the back of the Baldomir loss and a split decision win over a journeyman, struggled with Judah's handspeed for the first 5 rounds and took time to figure out how to beat him.

Additionally, Mayweather has a very different style to those who beat Tszyu (Phillips and Hatton), preferring to potshot, throw short combinations and counter; his propensity to stand off opponents and make them pay might be risky against someone like Tszyu who was great at timing opponents and kept a cool, calculating head even against opponents who far out-speeded him.

For me, this has Mayweather close UD written all over it; I think he'd just box cautiously, pick his spots and rely on his speed. What do you think about this matchup?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I could see Kostya landing a big right or two early on. Eventually Floyd would get inside and rough him up. Underrated part of Floyd's game is how physical he can be in tight.

[crusader]

I think Floyd wins by something like 8-4

[dookus]

I could see Kostya landing a big right or two early on. Eventually Floyd would get inside and rough him up. Underrated part of Floyd's game is how physical he can be in tight.

Very true. He did a great job of getting the better of Hatton on the inside from round 3 or 4 onwards despite the pressure. Having said that, I don't see Tszyu's style as forcing him to fight on the inside a whole lot, at least until Tszyu gets frustrated in the later rounds.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I could see Kostya landing a big right or two early on. Eventually Floyd would get inside and rough him up. Underrated part of Floyd's game is how physical he can be in tight.

Very true. He did a great job of getting the better of Hatton on the inside from round 3 or 4 onwards despite the pressure. Having said that, I don't see Tszyu's style as forcing him to fight on the inside a whole lot, at least until Tszyu gets frustrated in the later rounds.

I don't think he would force him. It would be the safest place for Floyd. Not that he wouldn't beat him outside. But Tszyu's power was on the end of his right hand. Smothering him is the best course of action. And Floyd is every bit as smart inside the ropes as he is stupid outside of them. One of the higher ring IQ's I've ever seen.

[Ezzard]

I could see Kostya landing a big right or two early on. Eventually Floyd would get inside and rough him up. Underrated part of Floyd's game is how physical he can be in tight.

Very true. He did a great job of getting the better of Hatton on the inside from round 3 or 4 onwards despite the pressure. Having said that, I don't see Tszyu's style as forcing him to fight on the inside a whole lot, at least until Tszyu gets frustrated in the later rounds.

I don't think he would force him. It would be the safest place for Floyd. Not that he wouldn't beat him outside. But Tszyu's power was on the end of his right hand. Smothering him is the best course of action. And Floyd is every bit as smart inside the ropes as he is stupid outside of them. One of the higher ring IQ's I've ever seen.

I agree. Floyd is all about playing the percentages.

Tszyu has a chance here. If he lands flush like Shane he can finish it (Shane wopuld have finished it when he was in his prime). But Floyd likes aggressive fighters who are looking to land the big one.

It's other defensive boxers and those with calculated agression who bother him.

[thunderfromdownunder]

have to say mayweather, though i would have loved to see this fight

[Roars Like Me]

Mayweather did struggle with Zab imo and we know what Kostya did there. Out of all Mayweather's opponents I don't think anyone hits as hard as Kostya, maybe Corrales at a push.

Assuming Floyd doesn't get caught then he wins on PTS.

[Diamond WEAPON]

Mayweather did struggle with Zab imo and we know what Kostya did there. Out of all Mayweather's opponents I don't think anyone hits as hard as Kostya, maybe Corrales at a push.

Assuming Floyd doesn't get caught then he wins on PTS.

Judah hits as hard as Tszyu, DLH too. There's a difference between being a big puncher and actually landing the big punches, hence why Randall Bailey isn't a living legend.

[Goodnight, Irene]

I havent seen anyone yet acknowledge Mayweather, though already exceptional, was still developing and was at 130 circa-2000. An immediate ten pound jump against a peak Tszyu could really spell trouble.

[jezzamundo]

I agree that the fight has to be at 140lb, seeing as it's the only division Kostya ever fought in.

In 2000, Mayweather was mostly fighting at 130lb and would not even consider a fight with Tszyu.
2001 is the same.
2002 was the year of the Castillo fights at 135lb. That version of Mayweather would probably be knocked out, or lose a decision to Tszyu at 140lb, who while not quite having Castillo's pressure to the body, was a more accurate and powerful puncher.
2003 Mayweather was still at 135lb, but by now I see a fight with Tszyu as being closer, though still the edge to Kostya.
2004 and 2005 were the years Mayweather fought at 140lb and these two were most likely to have faced off. In 2004 I see a close and competitive fight with Floyd sneaking a decision. The Tszyu who lost to Hatton would also lose to Mayweather, via a wide decision or late stoppage.

[Goodnight, Irene]

I agree that the fight has to be at 140lb, seeing as it's the only division Kostya ever fought in.

In 2000, Mayweather was mostly fighting at 130lb and would not even consider a fight with Tszyu.
2001 is the same.
2002 was the year of the Castillo fights at 135lb. That version of Mayweather would probably be knocked out, or lose a decision to Tszyu at 140lb, who while not quite having Castillo's pressure to the body, was a more accurate and powerful puncher.
2003 Mayweather was still at 135lb, but by now I see a fight with Tszyu as being closer, though still the edge to Kostya.
2004 and 2005 were the years Mayweather fought at 140lb and these two were most likely to have faced off. In 2004 I see a close and competitive fight with Floyd sneaking a decision. The Tszyu who lost to Hatton would also lose to Mayweather, via a wide decision or late stoppage.

I think people are just thinking of the current Mayweather, or that of recent years, here. That's a big mistake.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Floyd was better then.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Floyd was better then.

He hadnt laid a glove on anyone above 130 at this time. He would not find a way past a prime Tszyu at 140.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Floyd was better then.

He hadnt laid a glove on anyone above 130 at this time. He would not find a way past a prime Tszyu at 140.

10 pounds isn't the end all of Boxing. I understand what you're saying, it's a fair point. If it was in response to me calling for him to get bulled around on the inside, you're right I didn't think about the time frame. I was looking at it with them both being at 140 when they were in the division.

But I still don't think Floyd loses to Kostya. I'll spot Kostya a dozen pounds with the guy that lit up Corrales. Though the game plan would be different and probably a more difficult fight.

[theory]

Tszyu will land couple of nice, hard shots that will stun Mayweather in the early rounds, but I see Money getting his hand raised in a UD victory at the end, which I miss, because I have fallen asleep by the 9th round.