cfang wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026, 06:53
I can’t stand Floyd btw. I’d love to think the fab 4/5 would trash him but it’s pains me to say he’d come on top of some for sure.
Hearns would absolutely dominate him. The only way that Mayweather could ever beat Hearns is if he walked into the ring with a broken hand or something.
If they're both fit and ready to go. There's not a way that Mayweather could defeat Hearns. He couldn't outbox him, and he DAMN sure couldn't outpunch him.
Style wise he'd have a better chance with Leonard and Duran. Particularly Duran.
I honestly can't envision a scenario though where Mayweather could beat Hearns. I don't think he'd win 3 rounds against Hearns.
If you could build a welterweight to beat Floyd, then it would look a lot like Tommy Hearns. I agree with Gil, I can’t see any conceivable way that Floyd could beat Hearns. Straight away there is a 6-inch reach advantage to overcome. Tommy's jab would be in Floyd face all night. Hearns’ weakness as a fighter was his chin and defence. Neither of those are really going to be an issue against Floyd. Hearns hands were very quick but so were his feet. Floyd would have to force his way in and I don’t see how he does that. Pacquaio’s speed and power made Floyd a bit more hesitant to be as offensive as he would normally be, Hearns’ would have the same impact. Floyd isn’t getting a knockout. If Hearns had Haglers chin he would probably have been the GOAT.
Against SRL, I feel it’s a similar situation for Floyd as against Hearns, except Leonard was faster by hand and foot than Hearns. He is also one of the few that had fight IQ that was as good as Floyds. Floyd didn’t really carry power up to 147 so again, you have to wonder if SRL would be overly concerned about what is coming back.
I believe the Philly shell defence does have some deficiencies that get exposed by good fast footwork and movement. That’s why in some fights we have seen Floyd go to a conventional guard. In the 70s and 80s fighters with good movement were more often up on their toes moving around than compared to fighters of Floyd’s era. I suspect that is the Ali influence. Judah’s speed and movement gave Mayweather some trouble. I haven’t watched the fight but from memory, Judah was winning until Roger jumped in the ring (Floyd should have been automatically DQ’d) and started the fight. Judah got involved in the melee while Floyd smartly sat back and watched. Judah was never going to win after that. Hearns and Leonard are both far better and bigger than Judah.
The most winnable of the fight for Floyd to me is Duran. Both Leornard and Hearns are naturally bigger guys, even if in their WW days they were fighting at around what they weighed, they were just bigger framed. I’ve noticed that in the comments some people point to Duran’s inconsistency at WW and above. It is no surprise that much like his performances, his training was inconsistent. If the version that beat Leonard shows up, then I am favouring Duran. Floyd is a master on the inside but he’s not as good on the inside as Duran. If any version of Duran shows up that isn’t at his best then Floyd wins. Floyd at 147 didn’t move around the ring the same we he did at 130. I am not saying he lost the ability to do it but we just didn’t see it as often. If he doesn’t use his movement then he is immediately drawn into Durans fight.
Duran is arguably a top 5 p4p. Leonard is there or abouts, Hearns while not ranked as highly as those two guys was a round and a bit away from dethroning a prime Leonard and knocked Duran out in 2 rounds. You can’t rank him as high as those two guys but he was very much their equal. Believing that Floyd couldn’t beat those 3 is no slight on Floyd at all.
As for who had the greatest career out of them all? That is a tougher argument. Floyd’s longevity and consistency is the best of the 4 hands down. Duran had 17 years between his first and last title win as did Floyd but there is no doubt about who was more consistent.
- l'l floydy consistency is Haymon taking over the alternately corrupt when not incompetent Vegas commish so he could be the hometown fighter with his pick of judges and refs and the Big One, his own drug testing.
Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026, 20:33
He is not interested in guys before his time.
They were competitive fights. He won a few rounds in each and there were some close ones in each.
Duran had a record of 74-2 going into he Benítez fight. It was a big fight.
Also Cervantes was a very good Jr welterweight champion. Benitez beat him when he was 17 years old.
Jr welterweight is a pretty barren division because so many fighters either skip it or only stop by for a few fights.
Mayweather could have been great at the weight but skipped it same with Pacquiao Duran Mosley etc.
I saw Leonard Benitez and had Leonard winning virtually every round
Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026, 20:33
He is not interested in guys before his time.
They were competitive fights. He won a few rounds in each and there were some close ones in each.
Duran had a record of 74-2 going into he Benítez fight. It was a big fight.
Also Cervantes was a very good Jr welterweight champion. Benitez beat him when he was 17 years old.
Jr welterweight is a pretty barren division because so many fighters either skip it or only stop by for a few fights.
Mayweather could have been great at the weight but skipped it same with Pacquiao Duran Mosley etc.
I saw Leonard Benitez and had Leonard winning virtually every round
Pacquiao had 1 fight at 140 and won the Championship.
BroughtonRulesRefuge wrote: ↑04 Mar 2026, 11:56
- l'l floydy consistency is Haymon taking over the alternately corrupt when not incompetent Vegas commish so he could be the hometown fighter with his pick of judges and refs and the Big One, his own drug testing.
cfang wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026, 06:53
I can’t stand Floyd btw. I’d love to think the fab 4/5 would trash him but it’s pains me to say he’d come on top of some for sure.
Leonard outlands him as does the Duran from the Leonard fight and Floyd has nothing to trouble Hearns.
BroughtonRulesRefuge wrote: ↑04 Mar 2026, 11:56
- l'l floydy consistency is Haymon taking over the alternately corrupt when not incompetent Vegas commish so he could be the hometown fighter with his pick of judges and refs and the Big One, his own drug testing.
Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026, 20:33
He is not interested in guys before his time.
They were competitive fights. He won a few rounds in each and there were some close ones in each.
Duran had a record of 74-2 going into he Benítez fight. It was a big fight.
Also Cervantes was a very good Jr welterweight champion. Benitez beat him when he was 17 years old.
Jr welterweight is a pretty barren division because so many fighters either skip it or only stop by for a few fights.
Mayweather could have been great at the weight but skipped it same with Pacquiao Duran Mosley etc.
I saw Leonard Benitez and had Leonard winning virtually every round
Pacquiao had 1 fight at 140 and won the Championship.
So he essentially skipped the division. Had he stayed for years he would have established himself as a great at the weight
Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026, 20:33
He is not interested in guys before his time.
They were competitive fights. He won a few rounds in each and there were some close ones in each.
Duran had a record of 74-2 going into he Benítez fight. It was a big fight.
Also Cervantes was a very good Jr welterweight champion. Benitez beat him when he was 17 years old.
Jr welterweight is a pretty barren division because so many fighters either skip it or only stop by for a few fights.
Mayweather could have been great at the weight but skipped it same with Pacquiao Duran Mosley etc.
I saw Leonard Benitez and had Leonard winning virtually every round
The win over Cervantes was a big win regardless of how you try to spin it.
Leonard didn't win every round. He was the superior fighter, but Benitez didn't embarrass himself or anything like that.
Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026, 20:33
He is not interested in guys before his time.
They were competitive fights. He won a few rounds in each and there were some close ones in each.
Duran had a record of 74-2 going into he Benítez fight. It was a big fight.
Also Cervantes was a very good Jr welterweight champion. Benitez beat him when he was 17 years old.
Jr welterweight is a pretty barren division because so many fighters either skip it or only stop by for a few fights.
Mayweather could have been great at the weight but skipped it same with Pacquiao Duran Mosley etc.
I saw Leonard Benitez and had Leonard winning virtually every round
The win over Cervantes was a big win regardless of how you try to spin it.
Leonard didn't win every round. He was the superior fighter, but Benitez didn't embarrass himself or anything like that.
Benitez definitely won't at least 5 or 6 rounds in that fight. It was close every step of the way and the stoppage by the referee in the 15th was nonsense. Leonard often got quick stoppages like that. Stars get those kinda benefits.
Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026, 20:33
He is not interested in guys before his time.
They were competitive fights. He won a few rounds in each and there were some close ones in each.
Duran had a record of 74-2 going into he Benítez fight. It was a big fight.
Also Cervantes was a very good Jr welterweight champion. Benitez beat him when he was 17 years old.
Jr welterweight is a pretty barren division because so many fighters either skip it or only stop by for a few fights.
Mayweather could have been great at the weight but skipped it same with Pacquiao Duran Mosley etc.
I saw Leonard Benitez and had Leonard winning virtually every round
Pacquiao had 1 fight at 140 and won the Championship.
Jr welterweight is a pretty barren division because so many fighters either skip it or only stop by for a few fights.
Mayweather could have been great at the weight but skipped it same with Pacquiao Duran Mosley etc.
I saw Leonard Benitez and had Leonard winning virtually every round
Pacquiao had 1 fight at 140 and won the Championship.
Jeff_lacy_ko wrote: ↑05 Mar 2026, 22:38
You guys confuse me
Floyds hardest fights were
Castillo
Cotto
Maidana
De la hoya
Its clear getting inside and roughing him up is the way. I dont get how you dont see duran just out working him inside
Fun thought exercise
Very true. Duran when he's on would be a handful for him to say the least. Hearns is the only guy that I think could actually outbox Floyd. Most would have to work him over on the inside. Hearns could beat him from the outside.
Jeff_lacy_ko wrote: ↑05 Mar 2026, 22:38
You guys confuse me
Floyds hardest fights were
Castillo
Cotto
Maidana
De la hoya
Its clear getting inside and roughing him up is the way. I dont get how you dont see duran just out working him inside
Fun thought exercise
Very true. Duran when he's on would be a handful for him to say the least. Hearns is the only guy that I think could actually outbox Floyd. Most would have to work him over on the inside. Hearns could beat him from the outside.
Jeff_lacy_ko wrote: ↑05 Mar 2026, 22:38
You guys confuse me
Floyds hardest fights were
Castillo
Cotto
Maidana
De la hoya
Its clear getting inside and roughing him up is the way. I dont get how you dont see duran just out working him inside
Fun thought exercise
Very true. Duran when he's on would be a handful for him to say the least. Hearns is the only guy that I think could actually outbox Floyd. Most would have to work him over on the inside. Hearns could beat him from the outside.
You don't think Ray Leonard would outbox Floyd?
No. I think he could outfight him, I don't think he could outbox him.
Very true. Duran when he's on would be a handful for him to say the least. Hearns is the only guy that I think could actually outbox Floyd. Most would have to work him over on the inside. Hearns could beat him from the outside.
You don't think Ray Leonard would outbox Floyd?
No. I think he could outfight him, I don't think he could outbox him.
If Leonard wins and lands more punches, has he not outboxed him?
No. I think he could outfight him, I don't think he could outbox him.
If Leonard wins and lands more punches, has he not outboxed him?
I'm talking about how he'd have to strategically approach the fight. If he's trying to play the jabbing and counter punching game with Floyd, he's gonna get the worst of it however he has the option to step inside get in Floyd's chest, and just outhustle him on the inside, Floyd wouldn't just be standing there like an idiot obviously, but he couldn't match Leonard's infighting skills.
Floyd did have an unbelievable knack for making people fight his fight though.
Jeff_lacy_ko wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026, 23:43
Floyd lost 5 rounds against dlh, 4 against cotto, 5 against maidana, 4 judah, some to hatton....
He lost plentry rounds
Castillo beat him, everyone knows it
I just scored the first Castillo fight the other day. I scored it 113-113 Even. The second was lopsided in Mayweather’s favor. The Judah fight was not close. The De La Hoya fight was a bit closer, but still a clear victory for Mayweather, I think.
No. I think he could outfight him, I don't think he could outbox him.
If Leonard wins and lands more punches, has he not outboxed him?
I'm talking about how he'd have to strategically approach the fight. If he's trying to play the jabbing and counter punching game with Floyd, he's gonna get the worst of it however he has the option to step inside get in Floyd's chest, and just outhustle him on the inside, Floyd wouldn't just be standing there like an idiot obviously, but he couldn't match Leonard's infighting skills.
Floyd did have an unbelievable knack for making people fight his fight though.
I don't understand, outboxing someone isn't just jabbing and countering. Leonard beating him to the punch is surely outboxing him.
