BoxRec

After another win by the p4p king, who is the man to end Pretty Boy's unbeaten record?

I think a solid jab is essential against Mayweather. Bullying him on the ropes but not hitting the target has proved unseccessful so far.

I think maybe Vernon Forrest could give Mayweather a problem. I alo think Winky Wright may be successful if he could get back down to 154.

I think Paul Williams or any other natural welterweight in their prime, even possibly Miguel Cotto.

Cotto's a better version of Hatton in my opinion, and plus he's a natural welterweight, Hatton isn't.

Joe Calzaghe

Junior Witters awkwardness would cause him (and anyone else) problems

Candidates from 154 down?

Winky Wright - old, but that southpaw jab and natural strength and reach advantages give him a chance at Light-Middle.

Vernon Forrest - old and worn but while ever he has a long raking jab he has a chance, but he really is a shadow of his best.

Shane Mosley - at welter, Mosley would make entertaining viewing, such a shame he lost to Cotto because he would have been good box-office and entertaining versus Mayweather. He could have employed Hattoneque tactics had success with his better speed, power and ability to throw combinations.

DLH rematch - the most likely fight next summer, DLH can't do better than he did I suspect. But he came closest.

Paul Williams - like Forrest he has that height, reach and jab but he's inexperienced at this elite level and Mayweather has such great adaptability.

Miguel Cotto - Mayweather wouldn't enjoy the physical advantages he did over Ricky but Cotto is more ponderous in his movement, making him just as hittable from the outside though he tucks up better than Hatton. Much better.

None to be honest, think he'd make even Cotto look a mug. Bit like the superfight Pernell Whittaker v Azumah Nelson - looked close on paper, but PW ended up outclassing Nelson.

Not as onesided as that i think, but whatever Cotto tries, Floyd will have the answer. Too fast, too smart, and the better chin no doubt.

Nobody out there would beat Mayweather.

Williams? Cotto? Mosley? Nobody would beat him......

Cotto would be an easier fight than Hatton was for him.

Mayweather won't fight anybody who is not a big name and without a fan base at this stage of his career. That rules out Williams, Forrest, Winky, Cintron and Margarito. This leaves Cotto, DLH and Mosley. I can't see DLH will want a rematch as I agree that he wouldn't do any better second time around. That leaves Mosley and Cotto. I don't think either of these guys beats him but both would be interesting. The only fighter I think for sure who'd beat him at Welter is Williams.

Captain Hook wrote:Nobody out there would beat Mayweather.

Williams? Cotto? Mosley? Nobody would beat him......

Cotto would be an easier fight than Hatton was for him.

100% agree with this one.....

Can;t see anyone doing Mayweather - or coming close.

Also, for all Cotto's assetts, he is not the fight Hatton is.

Hatton -V- Cotto would be a cracker though .

Stegsie wrote:

Captain Hook wrote:Nobody out there would beat Mayweather.

Williams? Cotto? Mosley? Nobody would beat him......

Cotto would be an easier fight than Hatton was for him.

100% agree with this one.....

Can;t see anyone doing Mayweather - or coming close.

Also, for all Cotto's assetts, he is not the fight Hatton is.

Hatton -V- Cotto would be a cracker though .

Hatton-Cotto would be sadism.

I'm serious - Think Mayweather beats everyone (might not be as convincing) from Middleweight down.... The only fighter who I think in the category that can beat him is DLH.

Fights that I think would be appealing.

Cotto - Don't think Miguel stands a chance, but he is the most worthy of a shot.

Mosley - Does well against smaller guys.

Williams - Quick and a freak.

Spinks - Awkard and fast.

DLH - Nearly beat him the last time - can he fight better, agewise no - rusty wise.... possibly. DLH's speed was a problem and always will be (untill he gets too old) - he seemed faster handed than Mayweather last time.

I think Mayweather would be too elusive for Pavlik and Taylor too - I really believe that he is that good.

stujones wrote:I'm serious - Think Mayweather beats everyone (might not be as convincing) from Middleweight down.... The only fighter who I think in the category that can beat him is DLH.

Fights that I think would be appealing.

Cotto - Don't think Miguel stands a chance, but he is the most worthy of a shot.

Mosley - Does well against smaller guys.

Williams - Quick and a freak.

Spinks - Awkard and fast.

DLH - Nearly beat him the last time - can he fight better, agewise no - rusty wise.... possibly. DLH's speed was a problem and always will be (untill he gets too old) - he seemed faster handed than Mayweather last time.

I think Mayweather would be too elusive for Pavlik and Taylor too - I really believe that he is that good.

After Sat's performance that is a pretty good assessment Stu.

I don't think anybody in around the welterweight division can beat Floyd at the moment.

stujones wrote:I'm serious - Think Mayweather beats everyone (might not be as convincing) from Middleweight down.... The only fighter who I think in the category that can beat him is DLH.

Fights that I think would be appealing.

Cotto - Don't think Miguel stands a chance, but he is the most worthy of a shot.

Mosley - Does well against smaller guys.

Williams - Quick and a freak.

Spinks - Awkard and fast.

DLH - Nearly beat him the last time - can he fight better, agewise no - rusty wise.... possibly. DLH's speed was a problem and always will be (untill he gets too old) - he seemed faster handed than Mayweather last time.

I think Mayweather would be too elusive for Pavlik and Taylor too - I really believe that he is that good.

Talk of Mayweather beating big middleweights is a bit over the top. They'd be too strong and would hit too hard. It would be a freak show and if he's afraid to get in with the big Welters he won't ever get in with a big middleweight (unless maybe Corey Spinks picked up a title there).

Floyd Mayweather - Former WBC Light Middleweight champion - afraid to get in with the big Welterweight... but not afraid to fight a small Light Middleweight.... People saying that DLH has outgrown Welter, but somehow he isn't as daunting as Margarito, Cotto (was in the top ten at LIGHTWEIGHT about 3/4 years ago), and Williams.

4-5 years ago... The proposed rumoured DLH vs Mayweather bout was perceived as a joke and a horrible idea... Thats when Mayweather was a Super Feather and DLH was a Welterweight. Not only did Mayweather win (but did he?) he won at a weight that suited DLH more.

Carlos Baldomir is a big Welterweight also.

Roy Jones at Heavyweight was seen as a stupid thought.... Not when it became a reality.

I think a full blown light middle like Winky, would beat Mayweather. Oscar isn't a true light middleweight, he started right around the same weight as Floyd.

Let's not get carried away here, just because he just beat Hatton, doesn't mean he is going to beat Taylor or Pavlik.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I think a full blown light middle like Winky, would beat Mayweather. Oscar isn't a true light middleweight, he started right around the same weight as Floyd.

Let's not get carried away here, just because he just beat Hatton, doesn't mean he is going to beat Taylor or Pavlik.

Hatton moves like Sugar Ray Leonard compared to the straight up, limited Pavlik.... and Taylor doesn't throw enough punches.

Yes - it will be a distance fight, but Mayweather has the legs to do it.

When's the last time Winky looked good in a fight? He's finished IMO.

stujones wrote:Floyd Mayweather - Former WBC Light Middleweight champion - afraid to get in with the big Welterweight... but not afraid to fight a small Light Middleweight.... People saying that DLH has outgrown Welter, but somehow he isn't as daunting as Margarito, Cotto (was in the top ten at LIGHTWEIGHT about 3/4 years ago), and Williams.

4-5 years ago... The proposed rumoured DLH vs Mayweather bout was perceived as a joke and a horrible idea... Thats when Mayweather was a Super Feather and DLH was a Welterweight. Not only did Mayweather win (but did he?) he won at a weight that suited DLH more.

Carlos Baldomir is a big Welterweight also.

Roy Jones at Heavyweight was seen as a stupid thought.... Not when it became a reality.

Baldomir is not a big Welterweight. He is a natural Welterweight. A big one is Cintron, Margarito or Williams. Listen, you are simply getting carried away. He just beat a Light Welterweight and you are suggesting he'd beat Taylor or Pavlik who are both so big they are not even having their rematch at Middleweight.

And as for De La Hoya, the version prime Mayweather fought is not the De La Hoya of 4-5 years ago.

johnswan1 wrote:

stujones wrote:Floyd Mayweather - Former WBC Light Middleweight champion - afraid to get in with the big Welterweight... but not afraid to fight a small Light Middleweight.... People saying that DLH has outgrown Welter, but somehow he isn't as daunting as Margarito, Cotto (was in the top ten at LIGHTWEIGHT about 3/4 years ago), and Williams.

4-5 years ago... The proposed rumoured DLH vs Mayweather bout was perceived as a joke and a horrible idea... Thats when Mayweather was a Super Feather and DLH was a Welterweight. Not only did Mayweather win (but did he?) he won at a weight that suited DLH more.

Carlos Baldomir is a big Welterweight also.

Roy Jones at Heavyweight was seen as a stupid thought.... Not when it became a reality.

Baldomir is not a big Welterweight. He is a natural Welterweight. A big one is Cintron, Margarito or Williams. Listen, you are simply getting carried away. He just beat a Light Welterweight and you are suggesting he'd beat Taylor or Pavlik who are both so big they are not even having their rematch at Middleweight.

And as for De La Hoya, the version prime Mayweather fought is not the De La Hoya of 4-5 years ago.

I said, Mayweather would beat everyone at Middleweight down... If Pavlik and Taylor cannot make the weight - they are not in the criteria. Part of my assessment was on their tightness to make the weight (for Taylor especially).

I agree on DLH - As I said at the end of the fight, even though things were stacked in DLH's favour in the May fight... the loss actually raised him in the ATG rankings more so than Mayweather. I don't think anyone pre fight would have tipped smaller, younger DLH to beat Mayweather... What they tipped him on in 2007 was the fact that Mayweather was out of his weight zone more so than DLH.

After the fight, it showed that DLH's weight wasn't a factor - but his underated speed and skills. I think more people would have tipped a prime 140 lbs DLH to beat a prime 140 lbs Mayweather now.

I still don't know why your saying Baldomir isn't a big Welter - his career lightest weight was 142 and he has been as high as 157. You don't have to be tall to be big. Gatti was occasionally out sized (Height) at Super Feather - but was a freak at the weight.

Calzaghe beats him

johnswan1 wrote:

stujones wrote:Floyd Mayweather - Former WBC Light Middleweight champion - afraid to get in with the big Welterweight... but not afraid to fight a small Light Middleweight.... People saying that DLH has outgrown Welter, but somehow he isn't as daunting as Margarito, Cotto (was in the top ten at LIGHTWEIGHT about 3/4 years ago), and Williams.

4-5 years ago... The proposed rumoured DLH vs Mayweather bout was perceived as a joke and a horrible idea... Thats when Mayweather was a Super Feather and DLH was a Welterweight. Not only did Mayweather win (but did he?) he won at a weight that suited DLH more.

Carlos Baldomir is a big Welterweight also.

Roy Jones at Heavyweight was seen as a stupid thought.... Not when it became a reality.

Baldomir is not a big Welterweight. He is a natural Welterweight. A big one is Cintron, Margarito or Williams. Listen, you are simply getting carried away. He just beat a Light Welterweight and you are suggesting he'd beat Taylor or Pavlik who are both so big they are not even having their rematch at Middleweight.

And as for De La Hoya, the version prime Mayweather fought is not the De La Hoya of 4-5 years ago.

Pavlik technical skills are so poor I could see Mayweather potshotting a decision personally. Although the size diferential is MASSIVE if Pavlik can't hit him it won't matter. And Pavlik throwing slowish shots from range would be easy for Mayweather to slip

Lets not forget Cory Spinks beat Jermain Taylor in a borefest. If Spinks beats Taylor I dont see why Mayweather can't beat Taylor and Pavlik.

I think Williams has the best shot at beating at beating Mayweather 154 and below because of the styles.

AND NO WASY WINKY MAKES 154 AGAIN EVER

If the question is "who could beat Mayweather?", the answer must be "any heavy handed, genuinely elite welterweight". If the question's "who would I make favourite to beat Mayweather?", or "who would be likely to beat Mayweather?" I'd say, without a hint of sarcasm, only Joe Calzaghe from those who weigh in below 168.

Dioufy wrote:I think Paul Williams or any other natural welterweight in their prime, even possibly Miguel Cotto.

Yes, you need someone with a really strong and repetetive jab, but they also need crushing power to make Mayweather think twice before countering.

Is Williams that hard a puncher?

Does Cotto throw enough punches. I can see Mayweather KO ing him.

I think we need a prime Larry Holmes or Sonny Liston to beat Floyd.

His fight with Hatton reminded me a bit of Hagler v Sibson. Anyone else agree?

No one of the current crop.