Tommy Hearns is the only fighter who would be a big favorite against Floyd at 147.

[Rockin']

what floyd are you guys talking about? the 38 year old floyd or 32 yr old floyd who came back from his layoff or 29-31 floyd who was able to run circles around a much larger baldomir (tho i am in NO WAY comparing baldomirs skill to any of the great fighters of the past, just size) and fight on the inside with a fast southpaw in zab judah? Theres a reason that people even put floyd in the conversation with people like this. I also understand the affinity older fight fans have with the atgs of the past. But i think we sometimes forget the fighter you are watching. Floyd EVOLVES. That is the reason he is still undefeated. He cant fight the fighters the same way in 2015 like he did in 2006 or he would lose , and he cant fight the fighters in 06 like he did in 98-00 or he woulda lost. I still remember when floyd was considered a "power puncher" then a "boxer puncher" then a "pure boxer" now a "defensive specialist". Its not so much....if im saying it right....what you can do its how you do it. Floyds biggest asset..his greatest weapon that has allowed him to make 46 of 48 opponents (think about that) look damn near average in the ring is his IQ. He out thinks you. He takes what your good at and nullifies it. He imposes his WILL. I honestly believe he has the ability to beat every single fighter on your list. Would he... thats a different story of course lol. I also think we may look at floyd in the wrong view in terms of how he thinks about boxing. He talks about money all the time and blah blah blah. But he KNEW he was getting a 100million dollars on saturday guaranteed and yet he still chose to do what ever it took to make sure his hand was raised at the end. Thats not a bankers mindset my friend. Actions speak louder than words, Floyd wanted that win on pacquiao first and foremost.

Hearns hurts Floyd badly..... I would love to see a welterweight Mayweather try to impose his will on Hearns at welter. LMAO, have an ambulance waiting 'cause Floyd would be going for a ride.

All of these great things that you say about Floyd are good points. But at welterweight Floyd has rarely come out punching from the safety of his shell.

Hearns all night every night at welter.

[creekrat77]

Against Hearns Floyd would be the underdog. IN fact there is a lot of welterweights I'd favorite over a young welterweight in Floyd.

Ray Leonard just because of sheer size, speed, power, reach, chin, ring IQ..I mean the guy had it all and no matter how accurate and sharp Floyds straight right hand and check hook/jab may be he isn't going to be able to control the fight with these tools like with Pac.

Same goes with a pre y2k De la Hoya. I mean Oscar gave Floyd a real run for his money and came close to winning with his work rate all though being quite shop worn. A young De la Hoya had phenomenal foot work. Could move around the ring very efficiently while staying light on his toes. He also had the best jab in the game and excellent sharp precise combinations. He was very well rounded and could essentially do it all. The Oscar Floyd fought was a slightly bigger, older, and no where near as sharp as the pre-Trinidad De la Hoya.

Wilfred Benitez although not necessarily a favorite, had the size to walk Floyd down, keep a manageable work rate, and slip enough punches to stay competitive.

Roberto Duran to me would be a favorite against Floyd because coming in I know he would know what to do as Pac and many more for some reason didn't. Duran was in there to cause pain and the urgency and viciousness of his approach to mounting an offense only grew each round. Floyd would really have to gain Durans respect and maybe just maybe could land enough flush shots with his straight right and jab to slowly reverse his aggression. From there Floyd could have a chance to pick a tired Duran apart but a prime Duran I really don't think would fall into a groove where something is working for Floyd. He would change it up, take risks, and look to inflict damage.

When we get back to Ray Robinson it's hard to say because the landscape and perspective of boxing was so much different. By going into the ring you pretty much accepted you were going to get in a brutal fight if not knock your guy out. Robinson would have the agility, speed, reflexes and just everything in the book to beat Floyd in any fashion. But it's hard to see Robinson adjusting to a technical points fighter like Floyd who fights on the back foot, stays out of the pocket with punchers, and is just a hard guy to find if your not used to catching guys that are evasive. But seeing as though you'd be throwing both guys in the ring I'd say Robinson would more or less be able to outwork him with his superior offense and ring IQ.

[creekrat77]

what floyd are you guys talking about? the 38 year old floyd or 32 yr old floyd who came back from his layoff or 29-31 floyd who was able to run circles around a much larger baldomir (tho i am in NO WAY comparing baldomirs skill to any of the great fighters of the past, just size) and fight on the inside with a fast southpaw in zab judah? Theres a reason that people even put floyd in the conversation with people like this. I also understand the affinity older fight fans have with the atgs of the past. But i think we sometimes forget the fighter you are watching. Floyd EVOLVES. That is the reason he is still undefeated. He cant fight the fighters the same way in 2015 like he did in 2006 or he would lose , and he cant fight the fighters in 06 like he did in 98-00 or he woulda lost. I still remember when floyd was considered a "power puncher" then a "boxer puncher" then a "pure boxer" now a "defensive specialist". Its not so much....if im saying it right....what you can do its how you do it. Floyds biggest asset..his greatest weapon that has allowed him to make 46 of 48 opponents (think about that) look damn near average in the ring is his IQ. He out thinks you. He takes what your good at and nullifies it. He imposes his WILL. I honestly believe he has the ability to beat every single fighter on your list. Would he... thats a different story of course lol. I also think we may look at floyd in the wrong view in terms of how he thinks about boxing. He talks about money all the time and blah blah blah. But he KNEW he was getting a 100million dollars on saturday guaranteed and yet he still chose to do what ever it took to make sure his hand was raised at the end. Thats not a bankers mindset my friend. Actions speak louder than words, Floyd wanted that win on pacquiao first and foremost.

Floyd's perspective of getting in the ring with someone is that he watches your film and gets your style, mannerisms, mind set, personality....you name it, down to a T. He is a perfectionist and doesn't get in the ring with someone unless he knows he is going to win. The great guys Floyd has beaten like Mosley and Oscar were obviously a shopworn version of what they once were while Floyd's conservative approach to sitting back and firing sharp accurate punches made the difference. Oscar's game plan was to outwork Floyd and turned into just trying to hammer his @ss all night which obviously didn't work. Oscar back in his prime would never use such a hit or miss tactic in trying to win a fight. Shane came in got lucky at the beginning and then just fell apart as Floyd worked him over with counters to his leaky defense. Not saying this wouldn't happen with them fighting closer to Shane's prime but he in his hay day had a lot more to give in his offense, gameplan, and doing what it takes to come out on top. Cotto did his best and came up short, but he fought smart, adjusted his approach in finding openings and pressed Floyd constantly. Cotto and Maidana had the right idea, and I just think there are plenty of former great champions at 147 in their prime who were smart enough and well rounded enough to deviate from staying in a groove where Floyd is simply just pot shotting.