Let me start by saying that I’m actually a fan of Floyd as far as skill and athleticism go, but it’s not a stretch at all to say that he choose his fights carefully, most certainly in the latter half of his career.
Some might call it cherry picking, but he fought the people that made the most sense to him at the time. He fought plenty of really good fighters, so i’m not knocking him, but I’d like to just list some of the names that I think would have had the best chance at beating Floyd.
5. Antonio Margarito
Potential Fight Dates: 2007-2009
The whole issue of Margarito’s loaded gloves leaves a stain on his legacy forever because we simply don’t know how long he may have been cheating. Nevertheless, he was a slow-rolling tank of a boxer, with an iron chin and high workrate as the fight went on. He was also huge for a 147 lb welterweight, being a natural middleweight who cut a lot of weight to make the limit.
How would Floyd have fared against Margarito? The speed and skill advantage is undoubted but Margarito would probably be the biggest guy Floyd ever faced on fight night if they two were fighting at 147. Floyd would be able to land shots at will just as Shane Mosley did, but he doesn’t have the power to even put a dent in his chin.
I would still favor Mayweather if the fight would have taken place but it wouldn’t have been as easy as his win over Baldomir for example. The size and pressure of Margarito would have tested him for sure.
4. Paul Williams
Potential Fight Dates: 2007-2008
Paul Williams in his prime was a tough style match up for almost anyone. He was extremely tall for a welterweight, was a southpaw, and had an very high work rate. Floyd never really faced anyone similar to Williams because of the simple fact that there wasn’t anyone else like Williams. His awkward style would have been something Floyd had never really experienced before.
Yes, Williams did get outboxed by Carlos Quintana, but that wasn’t Paul at his best and the rematch showed that. I would call Floyd Mayweather vs Paul WIlliams a 50/50, I really think Paul would have given him that much trouble.
3. Shane Mosley
Potential Fight Dates: 2004-2005
Obviously Floyd Mayweather fought and beat Shane Mosley in 2010, but if the fight have been about five years sooner, it could have been far different. This would have required that FLoyd basically skip his short run at 140 and move from lightweight to welterweight, which might be asking for a lot in this hypothetical matchup.
Their actual fight gives a good indication of the trouble that Shane could have given him. Shane probably came close to knocking down or possibly finishing Floyd that anyone else in his entire 49 fight career. Mosley seemed to have the hand speed advantage but Floyd adapted as he always does and went on to dominate Mosley.
I would give this another 50/50 outcome. This version of Shane might have just been too much offensively with his hand speed, and maybe Floyd didn’t totally perfected his shoulder roll defense at this period of time.
2. Amir Khan
Potential Fight Dates: 2011-2015
This one is another bit of a stretch since Khan didn’t move up to welterweight until 2011, but I firmly believe that Khan would have had a speed advantage over Mayweather that could have potentially been too much for him. Floyd is clearly the superior fighter as far as skill goes, but he doesn’t have the pop to have taken advantage of Khan’s chin. Yes, Floyd always adapts, but Khan can maintain his speed for the whole fight and box beautifully when he finds his rhythm. The later in Floyd’s career this fight would have happened, the more I lean towards Khan, so I’ll say 60/40 for Khan.
1. Manny Pacquiao
Potential Fight Dates: 2007-2009
This was the biggest fight in recent boxing history, and in regrettably failed to live up to it’s hype. Floyd’s win was a solid one for the purists out there, but many people were disappointed at a fairly boring fight. Everyone knows that this fight should have taken place about 7 years sooner than it did, and outcome could have changed dramatically.
In 2007-2009 this fight would have been at both guy’s peaks. I would have to slightly favor Floyd, but the prime version of Manny was so electric he was capable of beating pretty much anybody. This was the best fight that could have happened in boxing had it been signed and sealed years earlier, but the negotiations just went on and on. It’s a shame but at least we got the fight finally at some point.
As I said earlier, this post is not intended to bash Floyd directly or to even criticize his choice of opponents, I’m merely offering my opinions on who would have given the future hall of famer the most competitive fight.
Pics:
Instagram.com/floydmayweather/
instagram.com/tonymargarito/
instagram.com/paulthepunisher1/
twitter.com/shanemosley_
instagram.com/amirkingkhan/
instagram.com/mannypacquiao/
Flloyd is an amazing fighter and I look forward to him beating mcgregor 😀
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You could argue that a boxer's first priority is to himself and his family in which case prolonging his career and making as much money as he can while in his prime are completely understandable.
However it's still difficult to like this guy.
Perhaps if he showed some more humility he'd be held in higher regard.
true...
I agree with you. I do think that is part of his appeal and personality...playing the villain. It sells more tickets as people pay to want to see him lose or get beat. But we as people have short term memories. Once he is retired and done and years pass he will be remembered as one of the all time greats.
Most people should be talking about how Floyd Mayweather is a great undefeated future Hall of Famer that's his own promoter and that works extremely hard to get to where he's at. Instead, all you hear is hate and jealous remarks from critics who criticize me and, you know, most of the time, the people that criticize me can't do what I can do.
great post i love it.
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@abbeymelchizedek
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i think that was his best. pacman cant beat mayweather
Very interesting post. You probably can do another one for Mcgregor
oh you certainly can. especially in MMA. let's see...at lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson, hell even Edson Barbosa (that would be a fun fight). At feather weight if he ever can make it to that weight again...the new and improved champion Max Holloway. They fought like 3.5 years ago when Max was 21. Max is a beast now. I don't think we will see McGregor in the Octagon anytime soon once he collects his $100 million.
It's hard to think that he will be motivated to fight in the UFC again after getting 100 million. Khabib would be bad match up for Conor, Max Holloway also has improved alot
Those are great pics. And they would have been such fun and exciting fights. Getting Mosely or Pacquiao in their primes would have been EPIC.
Another one that comes to mind even though they fought...was the rematch with Oscar de la Hoya. Oscar dropped some serious weight to make that first fight happen and it was a split decision. They were supposed to rematch but Mayweather RETIRED. lol.
I would have liked to have seen that rematch but up a few more pounds so we could get a better version of Oscar.
Very interesting. I would say that Manny Pacquiao would have won against Floyd at the prime of his career.
Hello there..actually im not really a floyd mayweather fan..
But its true that he is one of the best pound for pound in the sport.
Im a filipina so yes.i route for pacquiao that time..and the result i wanted that fight is not the way i want it..is not the way filipinos have wanted it.
Anyway this coming fight of floyd and connor?
You have any thoughts or point of view with the fight?
Im gonna go for connor by a knockout.
One lucky punch of connor. I think floyd will be k.o..
Thanks for sharing..😄
He is the fighter of fighter
Nice informative POST
very nice!
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Not sure anyone could/can beat Floyd but everyone at the time said when he fought Pacquio it was 5 years too late. Didn't know about the potential Shane Mosley fight years before they fought but that does appear a similar pattern fighting guys past their prime.
I think GGG 2 years ago would have got him. But yes Manny in his prime would have stopped him too! I enjoy watching Lomachenko fights the most even though they are so one sided , it's the opposite of Floyd Mayweather style one sided fights. But good list, those were all fights that should have happened really...
totally agree with this. moreover the last boxing championship against manny proves it too
i want mcgregor win this fight so badly!
The information really enriches the brain but boxing is not my field I'm more of a person of music and racing cars but what you brought here is really interesting and wish anyone who wanted to unload his anger would go to the arena and do it in an orderly manner because then there was not all kinds of things that today like Murder or killing by beating and then the world would look much better I hope that whoever reads this post maybe next time he feels he wants to give a punch he will go to some boxing institute and there will learn how to do it nicely and may also make money from it. Thank you very much for the post
nice post @doitvoluntarily
In my opinion the best opponent floyd mayweather is manny pacquiao
Although they are slightly different classes, but manny is almost able to keep up with floyd mayweather (The Money)
Antonio Margarito was a beast
I've always admired Mayweather more for successfully challenging the best fighters of his era than for his actual skill, which is actually pretty innate and incomparable as well.
But I agree that he benefited greatly from the timings of his fights. More than likely, Pacquiao would have given him a much tougher fight had they met in the ring a lot earlier in his career; I'm still undecided as to the winner of that fight!
And I would have loved to see a Mayweather-Khan match. Perhaps there is still a chance to see that after the wacky match with McGregor in August...
Great to see a different type of post on Steemit for a change! Who do you have for August 26th??
Il go for connor for a k.o.
I'd love to see Connor win in a boxing match against one of the greatest, but realistically - he's entering Flloyd's arena. I wish Flloyd came into the octagon. It would be much more entertaining.
But even tough its a boxing match..one lucky punch of connor can k.o. floyd..
Manny had a bum shoulder so that fight was so terrible. But all of Floyd's fights are terrible...terribly boring. I wish Conor would knock him out. I know the whole world wants to see it.
Good points. Many fights that he could have had. Would have been great to watch. Unfortunately, it seems like he played a business game too unlike other fighters.
Yea i got money on Mcgregor .
Irish can take a beating and last, and he's got crazy strength.
I too wish the PAC-man fight would have been many years ago. Floyd is indeed an amazing fighter, but also an amazing cherry picker..., nobody will say that about Manny.
Wow
Love this write up. MCG Vs Floyd is going to be one boring fight.
nice post! Good analysis with reasonable facts to back up your theory. thumbs up!
Hard work always pays off. He is the father of fighting. A great inspiration to all of us.
meep
Where is Anthony Joshua in your list and what are your thoughts on him? I do like him cause his ego is not somewhere on mount everest and he is so unbelievable focussed. He came to stay on top i believe
Good post 😎👍😊
August 26 he will face Conor Mcgregor, a lot of people counting out Conor already but wait and see comes August 26 he might face the most difficult fight of his carreer.
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was violent ones
I would also add Canelo Alvarez, but he fought him still early in his career, and before his prime. Granted Floyd was also older and probably couldn't wait for Canelo.
Great brother
Thanks for sharring