Floyd Mayweather will comeback like Sugar Ray Leonard Did

That was a huge comeback against Hagler. Leonard left the game at the top in 1982 and other cats had a chance to make a name for themselfs and take the spotlight. And Hagler did. And SRL wanted it back. It's not that Leonard cleaned out the middleweight division against the best young fighters, it's beating the best middleweight in his first fight out of retirement that added on to his ATG-legacy. Whether it's in 2009 or 2010, question is, which fighter will represent to Floyd Mayweather what Marvin Hagler represented to SRL. Manny Pacquiao is the new P4P king obviously and if he keeps moving up and winning who knows. Will Cotto surivive the next few fights and remain undefeated? If he does he will be bigger then ever and represent a legacy enhancing fight & big payday for Floyd. When you're at the top P4P all you're doing is DEFENDING your position and perhaps just worried about losing unstead of looking for new highs to achieve. Technically everybody is below you. But steping down from your top spot and coming back to reclaim it....that's the motivation to get you through a rigorous training camp.

Comments (17)

Vladimir303

Not really, Toney normally only ducks down one way when avoids punches in the middle of the ring, which is to his left, tuck his chin into his chest and put his right hand up, Jones was able to exploit this flaw. Mayweather is better at being unpredictable and most of his moves are more subtle than Toney's, he uses his gloves a little more and has more angles to counterpunch than Toney. Toney is better at finding angles on the inside though. Floyd's defense is the best no matter whether you're young or old. Toney uses up alot more energy moving his head then Mayweather does. Same goes for Whitaker.....his defense required alot of energy standing in front of a guy but constantly moving your head. Mayweather can also cover up pretty good as he did against Judah, Mitchell and a couple others.

17y ago

Silencers

Mayweathers defense isn't nearly as complex as Toney's, right now Mayweather relies on his speed more than his defense. Mayweather likes to lean back on the ropes in his shell and counter punch with the right where Toney can stand in the middle of the ring slipping, ducking, leaning, bobbing, and counter punching with both hands. If Mayweather comes back he will need to learn how to do that if he comes back slower than before. Not really, Toney normally only ducks down one way when avoids punches in the middle of the ring, which is to his left, tuck his chin into his chest and put his right hand up, Jones was able to exploit this flaw. Mayweather is better at being unpredictable and most of his moves are more subtle than Toney's, he uses his gloves a little more and has more angles to counterpunch than Toney. Toney is better at finding angles on the inside though.

17y ago

Silencers

Yes which means he won't dominate fights as he used to. It will be more competitive and he will take alot more bumps then before but still would come up with good victories because A- He would be in much better shape then other old guys who didn't train as hard as he did throughout their career.....and B - He didn't take much punishment during his prime. He would probably be alot more flat footed fighting up against the ropes or on the inside in the middle of the ring trading shots and covering up. By 39 - 40 then I'd say he would become ineffective. I'm not counting him out at all but I'm just saying a comeback a few years from now could end badly for him. If he wants to have a successful comeback in 4 or 5 years I think he will need to change his style a bit so that he doesn't rely so much on speed, reflexes and timing, if he can't change his style and his speed, reflexes and timing diminish like it should, it won't matter too much what kind of physical shape he's in.

17y ago

MWMerlino

I think he can still block punches with his gloves if he comes back a few years from now but I'm not sure if he will be able to roll or slip the punches that effectively. Toney's defense isn't as complex as Mayweather's though and even though he was slowing down, Toney was still faster the most cruiserweights and heavyweights. Mayweathers defense isn't nearly as complex as Toney's, right now Mayweather relies on his speed more than his defense. Mayweather likes to lean back on the ropes in his shell and counter punch with the right where Toney can stand in the middle of the ring slipping, ducking, leaning, bobbing, and counter punching with both hands. If Mayweather comes back he will need to learn how to do that if he comes back slower than before.

17y ago

Vladimir303

Punching power is part of it, he also likes to potshot and move which means he needs timing and good legs, his legs could get old as well. Going to the ropes like he does sometimes to duck and slip punches will be much, much harder as well. Yes which means he won't dominate fights as he used to. It will be more competitive and he will take alot more bumps then before but still would come up with good victories because A- He would be in much better shape then other old guys who didn't train as hard as he did throughout their career.....and B - He didn't take much punishment during his prime. He would probably be alot more flat footed fighting up against the ropes or on the inside in the middle of the ring trading shots and covering up. By 39 - 40 then I'd say he would become ineffective.

17y ago

Silencers

I'm pretty sure you said that because of the lack of punching power on Floyd's part. But Floyd had the technical skills and defense to make up for it even if he slowed down a la James Toney. EDIT.....Tredth above me already mentioned that. Punching power is part of it, he also likes to potshot and move which means he needs timing and good legs, his legs could get old as well. Going to the ropes like he does sometimes to duck and slip punches will be much, much harder as well.

17y ago

Silencers

I somewhat agree but I feel PBF is technical enough and definitely smart enough even with diminished skills to win fights like James Toney. PBF has the ability to block and roll and slip punches its just right now in his prime he can flat out make you miss. I think he can still block punches with his gloves if he comes back a few years from now but I'm not sure if he will be able to roll or slip the punches that effectively. Toney's defense isn't as complex as Mayweather's though and even though he was slowing down, Toney was still faster the most cruiserweights and heavyweights, I'm not sure how successful he would have been at light heavyweight or super middleweight as he got older because the fighters there are much faster, whereas Mayweather does possess a speed advantage over welterweights right now but not that big of a speed advantage.

17y ago

Vladimir303

I'm pretty sure he's going to come back as well but he better not wait stay out of the ring too long because his style relies on speed, timing and reflexes even more than Leonard's. I'm pretty sure you said that because of the lack of punching power on Floyd's part. But Floyd had the technical skills and defense to make up for it even if he slowed down a la James Toney. EDIT.....Tredth above me already mentioned that.

17y ago

tredh

I'm pretty sure he's going to come back as well but he better not wait stay out of the ring too long because his style relies on speed, timing and reflexes even more than Leonard's. I somewhat agree but I feel PBF is technical enough and definitely smart enough even with diminished skills to win fights like James Toney. PBF has the ability to block and roll and slip punches its just right now in his prime he can flat out make you miss.

17y ago

RisAri0

if u guys listen to the beginning of the 1st round of Hatton/Mayweather fight, Jim Lampley clearly stated that "Floyd would not fight in either calendar 2008 and 2009".

17y ago

Silencers

I'm pretty sure he's going to come back as well but he better not stay out of the ring too long because his style relies on speed, timing and reflexes even more than Leonard's.

17y ago

Vladimir303

I read what u wrote and thats what came on mind.. Then you're not a deep thinker.

17y ago

supermandathoe

That would be quite the story and sight to see. I have no doubt in my mind that Floyd could do it either. If Pacquiao or Cotto continue to win and are at the top of the mountain in two years time, Floyd will come back harder than ever and will put on a HELL of a fight, maybe even have enough in him to take on a few top contenders at WW or JWW (Williams, Berto, Malignaggi, etc.) Perhaps he fights Cotto at 147, moves down and fights Pacquioa at 140? I just went from 6 to midnight :wank: Keep dreaming bro. He is one an ddone if he comes back. At least it will be a bout noone is complaining about.

17y ago

Jknows

Umm ok. Try reading more then just the title next time you respond with your hateful comments. Or don't respond at all. I read what u wrote and thats what came on mind..

17y ago

EasyE

I am expecting a comback as well, potentially against Cotto if he beats Marg and maybe DLH.

17y ago

Vladimir303

Mayweather sucks he aint kno leonard...jus like he aint a sugar ray robinson which he claims he is better than.. Umm ok. Try reading more then just the title next time you respond with your hateful comments. Or don't respond at all.

17y ago

Jknows

Mayweather sucks he aint kno leonard...jus like he aint a sugar ray robinson which he claims he is better than..

17y ago