BoxRec

While all 3 are known for their speed,I think Mosley has displayed more grit,and is recognized for having faced a higher grade of competition at heavier weights.I think despite his speed,he would also be easier to hit,than the 2 above opponents,because of his willingness to engage his man.While I think Whitaker & Mayweather's defense is superior,I think Mosley is a better puncher,and I think his chin has been proven sturdy,more often.I also think that Whitaker has the lightest punch of the 3,and maybe the weakest chin(although,I personally think that he has been tested more often than Mayweather,& over time,maybe after getting hit more,Mayweather's chin will be known more about,but I rate Whitaker's pure defense, a bit higher)Mosley enjoys a slight size advantage over Whitaker,but I think Whitaker's brilliant defense,and left handed angles ,allow him to score a close points victory.Against Mayweather,Mosley and he are about even physically,I think either Mayweather stays a step ahead to outpoint Mosley,OR Mosley catches him and scores a stoppage.I think Moslet's come to battle style,along with his good chin,and own very fast hands,could very easily catch Mayweather,to stun him,and take him out with a follow up flurry.Remember,styles make fights,and while some may rate Mayweather ahead of Whitaker,a blazing quick southpaw,with an airtight defense,is a NIGHTMARE for most any fighter.Again,I do like Mayweather,I just think both Whitaker and Mosley have been against a higher caliber of fighters,and tested more thoroughly,
zuru

Just focusing on 135 and not 140:

All three would be incredibly close fights. Mosley had tremendous power at 135 though. Far more than Whitaker and more than Mayweather as well. Whitaker was the the superior defensive fighter in the group, followed by Mayweather and Mosley (IMO) a distant third. They were all so damned good at 135. It really is incredibly hard for me to even rank them right now though. Solely based on career accomplishments at the weight class, I would go:

1. Shane Mosley (32-0-0, 30 KO's) - Mosley simply dominated the Lightweight division. After winning the IBF title from Philip Holiday, successfully defended it 8 times, all by knockout, before moving up to Welterweight. The one knock on Mosley is that he never did attempt to unify the titles.

2. Pernell Whitaker (27-1-0, 13 KO's) - Whitaker's only loss came in a highly controversial split decision with Jose Luis Ramirez. Whitaker went on to be Greg Haugen for the IBF Lightweight title, Jose Luis Ramirez for the WBC Lightweight title, and Juan Nazario for the WBA Lightweight title. Whitaker is the last undisputed Lightweight champion.

3. Floyd Mayweather (4-0-0, 1 KO) - Mayweather moved up to win the WBC Lightweight title from Jose Luis Castillo in a fairly controversial decision. Defeated Castillo convincingly in the rematch, then defeated Victoriano Sosa and knocked out Phillip N'Dou before moving up to Jr. Welterweight. Like Mosley, never attempted to unify titles.

In terms of career accomplishments (up to this point), I rate them:

1. Pernell Whitaker
2. Pernell Whitaker
t-3. Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather

I always wondered how Mosley would've done against a prime Stevie Johnston.

iceman21287 wrote:Just focusing on 135 and not 140:

All three would be incredibly close fights. Mosley had tremendous power at 135 though. Far more than Whitaker and more than Mayweather as well. Whitaker was the the superior defensive fighter in the group, followed by Mayweather and Mosley (IMO) a distant third. They were all so damned good at 135. It really is incredibly hard for me to even rank them right now though. Solely based on career accomplishments at the weight class, I would go:

1. Shane Mosley (32-0-0, 30 KO's) - Mosley simply dominated the Lightweight division. After winning the IBF title from Philip Holiday, successfully defended it 8 times, all by knockout, before moving up to Welterweight. The one knock on Mosley is that he never did attempt to unify the titles.

2. Pernell Whitaker (27-1-0, 13 KO's) - Whitaker's only loss came in a highly controversial split decision with Jose Luis Ramirez. Whitaker went on to be Greg Haugen for the IBF Lightweight title, Jose Luis Ramirez for the WBC Lightweight title, and Juan Nazario for the WBA Lightweight title. Whitaker is the last undisputed Lightweight champion.

3. Floyd Mayweather (4-0-0, 1 KO) - Mayweather moved up to win the WBC Lightweight title from Jose Luis Castillo in a fairly controversial decision. Defeated Castillo convincingly in the rematch, then defeated Victoriano Sosa and knocked out Phillip N'Dou before moving up to Jr. Welterweight. Like Mosley, never attempted to unify titles.

In terms of career accomplishments (up to this point), I rate them:

1. Pernell Whitaker
2. Pernell Whitaker
t-3. Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather

Iceman,

I like how you broke this down.
zuru

Mosley has the perfect blend of speed, power, stamina and overal skills to beat Pea and Floyd. He at his best was a ball of energy, who could mix it up so brillaintly. Peas's cuteness and akwardness I feel would not be as effective against Mosley who wasn't easily suckered. Shane's speed and power advantage would spell trouble for Pea. I think he beats both at LW and Super LW by close but deserved decision. He showed how great he was V Oscar first time around, when Ocar was at his peak. Shane simply outworked and outfoxed him to win a great great fight