Grade the Degree of Difficulty for Each of the Potential Floyd Opponents

A = Very Difficult B C D F = Easy Work, sh*t fight People keep saying that Floyd is ducking the toughest challenges. Who in the boxing game qualifies as a tough challenge for him? Move up From 140 Danny Garcia = D Lucas Matthysse = B- Amir Khan =C 147 Robert Guerrero = B+ Timothy Bradley = B Kell Brook = F Devon Alexander = C Juan Manuel Marquez = C 154 Canelo Alvarez = B Sergio Martinez (fight takes place at 154) = C Austin Trout = B Erislandy Lara = B- James Kirkland = C Carlos Molina = A 160 Sergio Martinez (fight takes place at 160) = N/A , floyd aint got the balls none of these fights are tougher than the guys floyd ducked in the past

Floyd and Zab have the same reach. You're right. Zab still looks shorter though, boxrec has him listed at 5'7. Regardless, he doesn't have a height or reach advantage the way guys like Lara, Trout, and Martinez do, so his fight against Judah doesn't really give us an idea of how he would do against them. How do you think the 130-135 Mayweather would have approached a fight against guys like 'Titere' Vasquez and Richard Abril (both orthodox but tall counter-punchers who use lateral movement)?

I'm not too sure about that outcome. It's why I said I don't think Canelo beats him. It would not be a blow out for either fighter. I think it would be close. Lara tends to fight at his opponents level and is comfortable with that. He fought to a draw with Molina who's a spoiler, he fought a close fight with Vanes which I thought he won, and he clearly beat Williams. I think if Canelo can't find Lara's body, he loses. He has to go to the body to slow him down, if he can't do that, Lara wins. He should have lost to Molina. Very lucky to get the draw.

The problem with Zab Judah is that he's pretty small even for a 140 pounder (size not height) and had a clear reach disadvantage against Floyd; he also tends to slow down (sometimes dramatically) in the second half of his fights. He was still able to give Floyd a better fight than most and technically handed him his only knockdown. I would have been interested in seeing how Floyd fights against a taller counterpuncher with a possible reach advantage. About Robert Guerrero, I could also see that ending in a knockout (Rd6-10))... I feel its a good style match up for Floyd. If the fight does go the distance it could also offer us more insight into Mayweather's abilities and approach against southpaws. Floyd and Zab have the same reach.

closest thing was Zab Judah. I gave him 2 rounds but could see how some would give him 3 These would be interesting fights though. Floyd seems to be more advanced against southpaws now after seeing his display against Ortiz. He shoulder rolls against them fairly easily these days. Guerrero isn't the greatest fight compared to other fights in Floyd's body of work, but he is a jabbing southpaw. I'm kind of glad Floyd will get additional experience against them under his belt by boxing Guerrero. I hope this leads to a Martinez showdown. Check this Katsidis-Guerrero footage out. Katsidis feints the right to land a big right that hurts Guerrero and sends him reeling to the ropes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0D3DEvub2k#t=30s Floyd can do that and even more. He's capable of busting out double and even triple right hands. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuJH9BtcWBs#t=1m35s We'll see a brilliant display of Floyd's offensive arsenal if this Guerrero fight pops off. Guerrero has the style to get knocked out by Floyd, and FLoyd loves to slice the bodies of lefties. Robert is open for all kinds of right hand shots. The problem with Zab Judah is that he's pretty small even for a 140 pounder (size not height) and had a clear reach disadvantage against Floyd; he also tends to slow down (sometimes dramatically) in the second half of his fights. He was still able to give Floyd a better fight than most and technically handed him his only knockdown. I would have been interested in seeing how Floyd fights against a taller counterpuncher with a possible reach advantage. About Robert Guerrero, I could also see that ending in a knockout (Rd6-10))... I feel its a good style match up for Floyd. If the fight does go the distance it could also offer us more insight into Mayweather's abilities and approach against southpaws.

I can't name a guy that Floyd wouldn't easily beat from 140-154. He's that good.

AWW, none of these guys stand a chance. Guerrero I like but he has NO CHANCE...

It's a shame GBP signed Lara just for the power to keep Canelo away from him. He's one of the ranked opponents I believe Canelo would beat. why do you say Lara would beat Canelo? I'm not too sure about that outcome. It's why I said I don't think Canelo beats him. It would not be a blow out for either fighter. I think it would be close. Lara tends to fight at his opponents level and is comfortable with that. He fought to a draw with Molina who's a spoiler, he fought a close fight with Vanes which I thought he won, and he clearly beat Williams. I think if Canelo can't find Lara's body, he loses. He has to go to the body to slow him down, if he can't do that, Lara wins.

hard fights Trout, Martinez, and Lara Tall, slick counter-punching southpaws... who know how to measure distance. How many such opponents has Mayweather fought? Heck it would be interesting to see how a 130-135 pound mayweather would have fought had he faced a guy like 'Titere' Vasquez (orthodox) or Richard Abril; he would have won yes, but it would have been interesting to see.

Floyd passed over on the toughest challenges from 07-10. sad too because if he was as great as you guys claim, he could have made an incredible mark on boxing. imagine this on his resume from 07 til now. Margarito Cotto Williams Pacquio apparently they were all too easy Posted from Boxingscene.com App for Android

Move up From 140 Danny Garcia D- Lucas Matthysse D Amir Khan C- (styles) 147 Robert Guerrero C- Timothy Bradley C- Kell Brook D- Devon Alexander C- Juan Manuel Marquez C 154 Canelo Alvarez C+ Sergio Martinez (fight takes place at 154) A Austin Trout A Erislandy Lara A- James Kirkland D+ Carlos Molina C- 160 Sergio Martinez (fight takes place at 160) A++

Lara is a fighter I can see Canelo comfortably beating Lara has faced three top 10 JMW's, Molina, Williams and Vanes..neither of them came close to "comfortably" beating him. I doubt Canelo comfortably beats Lara, I don't even think he beats him.

Why is martinez at 160 on that list? Floyd will never do that and if he did that's almost a guaranteed loss.

Zab Judah When I watch Lara fight I see parallels to Zab. Both slick southpaws who can have focus issues and shaky stamina. Lara has a straight left hand instead of a left uppercut. Zab is the greater talent between them and blessed with more athletic gifts, but Lara is mentally stronger to make up for it No where near. Lara's way more poised, patient and doesn't get in to silly exchanges. The defense of the two are worlds apart.

So you think Erislandy Lara is his toughest fight available outside of Sergio? It would be interesting to see how he deals with a counter punching southpaw that moves a lot. Martinez, Lara, and Canelo are the toughest fights for Floyd. You know Lara would be a 12 round boxing match between two fighters with high ring IQ, that will not be eager to engage. If Lara was more popular and was a big money fight, that would have been a great match up to see.

Move up From 140 Danny Garcia = C Lucas Matthysse = C Amir Khan = C- 147 Robert Guerrero = C+ Timothy Bradley = C+ Kell Brook = C Devon Alexander = C+ Juan Manuel Marquez = D (arguably an F though) 154 Canelo Alvarez = C+ Sergio Martinez = B- Austin Trout = B Erislandy Lara = B- James Kirkland = C Carlos Molina = C+ 160 Sergio Martinez = A (DUH!) Agree with all the rankings other than Lara being a B. I can't see how anyone can have Bradley at a higher grade than Guererro.

Move up From 140 Danny Garcia = C Lucas Matthysse = C Amir Khan = C- 147 Robert Guerrero = C+ Timothy Bradley = C+ Kell Brook = C Devon Alexander = C+ Juan Manuel Marquez = D (arguably an F though) 154 Canelo Alvarez = C+ Sergio Martinez = B- Austin Trout = B Erislandy Lara = B- James Kirkland = C Carlos Molina = C+ 160 Sergio Martinez = A (DUH!)

And Martinez is already booked for 2013 so his toughest challenge won't be available until 2014. Just the way Floyd likes it. Its time to come out of his long vacation! Floyd will be ready and willing now! but Floyd will tell us the usual such as fighter #1 holds a title, so he must be the best and his fans will defend his pick.

I fixed the grading scale how it's supposed to be, or at least how my college and most colleges have it. So you think Erislandy Lara is his toughest fight available outside of Sergio? It would be interesting to see how he deals with a counter punching southpaw that moves a lot.

And Martinez is already booked for 2013 so his toughest challenge won't be available until 2014. And it probably won't be his toughest challenge then.