BoxRec

By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Hall of Fame broadcaster Colonel Bob Sheridan has called fights featuring the greatest world welterweight champions including Sugar Ray Leonard (36-3-1, 25 KOs), Roberto Duran (103-16, 70 KOs) and Tommy Hearns (65-5-1, 48 KOs) in world title bouts. He says they would have defeated future Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0, 27 KOs) inside the distance.

“Take Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their primes and there is no question that Leonard had the more powerful punch. Sugar Ray was as good on his feet as Floyd was on his feet. With the power of punch that Sugar Ray had, Floyd would not have had a chance in that fight. In every respect, Mayweather doesn’t measure up to Leonard. The accumulation of punches that Sugar Ray lands would wear Floyd down. Sugar Ray stops Floyd inside seven rounds.

“Roberto Duran would have chased Floyd Mayweather down and trapped him in the corners and on the ropes of the ring. Roberto was the greatest lightweight who ever lived but he was also a great welterweight who was in the same class as Sugar Ray Leonard. Floyd was good on his feet and would be running all the time. Duran was a great body puncher who would hit Mayweather with solid shots to the liver and Floyd is going down. Roberto would have stalked him and knocked him out in three rounds.

“Tommy Hearns would punch too hard for Floyd Mayweather Jr. and would stop him inside three rounds. In his prime, Hearns was a helluva puncher, and relentless. The Tommy Hearns versus Marvin Hagler fight was the greatest three rounds in boxing history.”

While I do believe that Leonard, Duran and Hearns would most likely win--- I'm not so sure that they would have knocked him out. Floyd's ability to either ride punches, or evade punches, was so great that he was rarely ever hurt. And the few times he was hurt, he recuperated pretty fast. Personally, I don't think we need to go as far back as the 1980's welterweights to find a man capable of beating Floyd. I think "Sweet Pea" Pernell Whitaker could have done the job because he was damn near as good offensively as he was defensively.

Of the three, Hearns has the best shot to stop Floyd because he was like a giant in the 147-154 divisions. He knocked out Duran after all. But, if he went the distance twice with Leonard, I fancy Floyd's chances of going the distance too. But I believe Hearns would have won the decision. Too big, too skilled, and too active for the likes of Floyd. He'd of been perpetually on the defensive, putting out pitiful punch numbers.

Duran would've been the most interesting match-up ((for me anyways)). When Duran was great he was great. But he was up and down in his performances, especially when he hit 154 onwards. I think he would have timed Floyd well, and got into a groove and Floyd would start losing any momentum he had. But it really depends on what version of Duran showed up. Then again, it's a safe bet to make with Duran winning--- he only lost 16 times, the bulk of which in the 90's and 2000's when he was long passed it. Those two in a LIGHTWEIGHT match would've been really interesting--- but at 140, 147 or 154 I gotta go with Duran.

Leonard, as much as I didn't care for the hot dogging and attitude he had at times, was every bit as good offensively as he was defensively. He could dig down deep and fight back hard when he had to. The more and more I watch Leonard-Hagler the wider and wider that fight gets. I can't imagine Mayweather at any time taking on the likes of Sergio Martinez, Kelly Pavlik, and other middleweights and coming out on top--- but Leonard was able to do so. That being said, Floyd lasts the whole twelve rounds in a chess match--- only because Floyd refuses to really make a fight of it.

All three would handle Floyd. Mayweather was in the same stylistical niche as Leonard, while Leonard had been on a higher level. Duran was able to outfight Leonard, Hearns was able to outbox Leonard. The most likely candidate for being upset is Hearns, because he had troubles with chin, he was easier to be KOed.

I don't think any of them knock him out. Favor all of them, I think Floyd would have the best shot with Leonard.

All 3 would beat Mayweather and make mincemeat of the likes of Hatton too.

I'm not sure whether Duran or Leonard would stop Mayweather over 12 rounds (maybe 15), but Hearns might.

In fact a peak Tommy Hearns might well stop anyone this side of Marvin Hagler inside 2/3 rounds!

Of course Mayweather would never fight any of them, especially seeing after what happened to his game uncle against Leonard.

No amount of referee/judges /A side privilege help would save him. He just didn't have enough power - plain and simple.

No one has ever seen the limit of Floyd Mayweather Jr’s true capabilities during his prime inside the ring, because he has never been involved in a truly competitive bout where he was forced to gave his all.

For sure, he’s been involved in competitive bouts, but not during his prime.

It’s incredibly disingenuous for anyone to confidently claim that he’d definitely be stopped by Leonard, Duran and Hearns.

People allow nostalgia to cloud their judgement, because nothing is better than the good old days.

Different fighters, different eras.

This is a bit unfair.

Mayweather is smaller than all of them and he wasn't even prime at 147 despite being top dog and retiring unbeaten.

I can't see Leonard and Duran knocking him out; I can just about see Hearns doing it, but the stars would have to be align for that to happen.

Mayweather's toughness is a very underrated asset of his, because he was so adept at making his opponents miss, but make no mistake, he had a warriors heart and it would take something titanic to stop him.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑03 Aug 2021, 09:51 By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing

Hall of Fame broadcaster Colonel Bob Sheridan has called fights featuring the greatest world welterweight champions including Sugar Ray Leonard (36-3-1, 25 KOs), Roberto Duran (103-16, 70 KOs) and Tommy Hearns (65-5-1, 48 KOs) in world title bouts. He says they would have defeated future Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0, 27 KOs) inside the distance.

“Take Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their primes and there is no question that Leonard had the more powerful punch. Sugar Ray was as good on his feet as Floyd was on his feet. With the power of punch that Sugar Ray had, Floyd would not have had a chance in that fight. In every respect, Mayweather doesn’t measure up to Leonard. The accumulation of punches that Sugar Ray lands would wear Floyd down. Sugar Ray stops Floyd inside seven rounds.

“Roberto Duran would have chased Floyd Mayweather down and trapped him in the corners and on the ropes of the ring. Roberto was the greatest lightweight who ever lived but he was also a great welterweight who was in the same class as Sugar Ray Leonard. Floyd was good on his feet and would be running all the time. Duran was a great body puncher who would hit Mayweather with solid shots to the liver and Floyd is going down. Roberto would have stalked him and knocked him out in three rounds.

“Tommy Hearns would punch too hard for Floyd Mayweather Jr. and would stop him inside three rounds. In his prime, Hearns was a helluva puncher, and relentless. The Tommy Hearns versus Marvin Hagler fight was the greatest three rounds in boxing history.”

In their primes they were at different weights, aside from Duran, and that probably would have ended in a "no mas".

People tend to overrate boxers from past and underrate current fighters

Cent0089 wrote: ↑26 Aug 2021, 12:51 People tend to overrate boxers from past and underrate current fighters

In 10 years, FMJ will be more appreciated.

Cent0089 wrote: ↑26 Aug 2021, 12:51 People tend to overrate boxers from past and underrate current fighters

For real.

I'd like to echo Ruthless's sentiments, Mayweather's stock will rise in time.

At Welterweight I'd favor Leonard in a close fight. Hearns to me would be the kryptonite of all kryptonites for Floyd. I just don't see Floyd beating a guy like Hearns. Duran to me is a toss up, he was after all comfortable out boxed by Wildredo Benitez who I feel is a lesser fighter than Floyd. Hearns is the only one I believe could stop Floyd, but even then I don't think it was a forgone conclusion.

NateJR wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 08:19 At Welterweight I'd favor Leonard in a close fight. Hearns to me would be the kryptonite of all kryptonites for Floyd. I just don't see Floyd beating a guy like Hearns. Duran to me is a toss up, he was after all comfortable out boxed by Wildredo Benitez who I feel is a lesser fighter than Floyd. Hearns is the only one I believe could stop Floyd, but even then I don't think it was a forgone conclusion.

Neither Hearns, Leonard or Duran would beat Mayweather.

It could never happen.

Mayweather spent years avoiding Pacquiao and forensically cherry picking opponents (+referees, judges, venues, drug testing agencies etc). All of which paid off as seen by the numerous dubious decisions he enjoyed throughout his career.

So much so he's now ended up fighting YouTubers.

Anyone that scared of Pacquiao (or even Khan) wouldn't even be able to speak the names of Leonard or Duran.

As for Hearns, there's probably not enough money in the Federal Reserve to make that one sided fight happen.

Floyd loses all 3, but get real, he's too fast, too accurate with his punches, and too good defensively to get stopped by any one of them. He'd lose each bout clearly, but he'd have his moments against everyone including Hearns.

Thomastearns wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 16:05

NateJR wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 08:19 At Welterweight I'd favor Leonard in a close fight. Hearns to me would be the kryptonite of all kryptonites for Floyd. I just don't see Floyd beating a guy like Hearns. Duran to me is a toss up, he was after all comfortable out boxed by Wildredo Benitez who I feel is a lesser fighter than Floyd. Hearns is the only one I believe could stop Floyd, but even then I don't think it was a forgone conclusion.

Neither Hearns, Leonard or Duran would beat Mayweather.

It could never happen.

Mayweather spent years avoiding Pacquiao and forensically cherry picking opponents (+referees, judges, venues, drug testing agencies etc). All of which paid off as seen by the numerous dubious decisions he enjoyed throughout his career.

So much so he's now ended up fighting YouTubers.

Anyone that scared of Pacquiao (or even Khan) wouldn't even be able to speak the names of Leonard or Duran.

As for Hearns, there's probably not enough money in the Federal Reserve to make that one sided fight happen.

Ffs, get Manny's nuts off your chin. Your revisionist history makes me want to throw up.
Hearns may have KO'd Floyd if he connected. SRL was the size of Spence, and probably would win. Duran, I doubt it due to the style and size. Duran, by the way will always be above Pac as all time great. Only (or 1st) lightweight to win a middleweight belt.

Only Duran was Floyd's weight when both were prime. Pacquiao also would have been KOd by Edwin Valero, who he avoided.

Bandog wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 20:26

Thomastearns wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 16:05

NateJR wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 08:19 At Welterweight I'd favor Leonard in a close fight. Hearns to me would be the kryptonite of all kryptonites for Floyd. I just don't see Floyd beating a guy like Hearns. Duran to me is a toss up, he was after all comfortable out boxed by Wildredo Benitez who I feel is a lesser fighter than Floyd. Hearns is the only one I believe could stop Floyd, but even then I don't think it was a forgone conclusion.

Neither Hearns, Leonard or Duran would beat Mayweather.

It could never happen.

Mayweather spent years avoiding Pacquiao and forensically cherry picking opponents (+referees, judges, venues, drug testing agencies etc). All of which paid off as seen by the numerous dubious decisions he enjoyed throughout his career.

So much so he's now ended up fighting YouTubers.

Anyone that scared of Pacquiao (or even Khan) wouldn't even be able to speak the names of Leonard or Duran.

As for Hearns, there's probably not enough money in the Federal Reserve to make that one sided fight happen.

Ffs, get Manny's nuts off your chin. Your revisionist history makes me want to throw up.
Hearns may have KO'd Floyd if he connected. SRL was the size of Spence, and probably would win. Duran, I doubt it due to the style and size. Duran, by the way will always be above Pac as all time great. Only (or 1st) lightweight to win a middleweight belt.

Only Duran was Floyd's weight when both were prime. Pacquiao also would have been KOd by Edwin Valero, who he avoided.

You feel like throwing up?

Ok, I understand, cognitive dissonance can sometimes have that effect.

As can too much alcohol.

However I still fail to see what Edwin Valero has to do with any of this.

Good luck with finding a suitable bucket.