The SMARTER fighter: RIcky or Floyd?

[DIOS DOMINICANO]

As we all have seen, these big fights that are evenly matched often take an unpredictable turn.

Sugar Ray Leonard found himself being outboxed by Tommy Hearns. The puncher had become the boxer, and, resultingly, the boxer had to become the puncher to pull it out. This fight did not play out the way people expected.

Oscar Delahoya was a guy who had shown that he was a strong finisher. He had just come out of the Ike Quartey fight where a 12th round surge tipped that fight in his favour. The perception was that Oscar and Tito Trinidad were very evenly matched. Tito was solidly behind and it appeared that Oscar was cruising to a fairly easy victory by outboxing. And then 'something' happened and Oscar got on his bicycle for four rounds.

Mayweather vs Hatton: When and if this fight takes an unpredictable turn, in whose favour does the fight turn? When Mayweather finds that Hatton can box from the outside. When Hatton finds that Mayweather is the stronger/better inside fighter. When Mayweather hurts his hand. When Hatton finds that he is unable to cut off the ring.

Who is the SMARTER fighter that you can entrust to make those round-to-round tactical adjustments to seize or regain an advantage in the fight?

Of these two, who is the smarter fighter?

[SkillspayBills]

Floyd Mayweather. The adjusments and his ability to adapt to any foe is other worldly. Once he does adapt Ricky, who I consider a smart fighter himself, won't know what to do to deal with the constant changing of angles, punches, and ring generalship.

[HattonCOOL]

I think mayweather will be the smarter fighter, just been looking at a couple of his fights and when he does get hit badly he goes defensive and then explodes with his speed. When hatton gets hit he still comes forward he never takes a step back which in this fight could be his downfall. I remember the collazo fight when he got hit with a huge right hook, instead of steping back and making more angles for collazo to try and catch him he came straight back at collazo and got hit again about 5 times.

But i do think that ricky will hurt mayweather more than floyd will hurt ricky, just have to wait and see what happens

[Kobe Bryant]

Floyd ofcourse. Rick's strategy is not really something to think about. He uses his physical strenght to make it an inside and dirty fight. He can only fight one way. I've seen him box and use his jab. But not enough to lead me to believe he will use it for this fight or even at all. Floyd can fight either way and can adapt.

[AntonTheMeh]

Ricky Is Crafty,mayweather Is Brilliant,he's ****** Outside The Ring,but He Is Einstein In It.

[kayjay]

They're both top-notch in this department.

Floyd never loses focus. Ricky has done everything right, sometimes beating people who had distinct advantages over him.

[Addison]

They're both top-notch in this department.

Floyd never loses focus. Ricky has done everything right, sometimes beating people who had distinct advantages over him.

I agree. They do different things in there but both are ring masterminds.

[Kobe Bryant]

I really don't consider Ricky a smart fighter. He uses his physical advantages to wear you down. It's a good strategy but it doesn't require a lot of smarts.

[Addison]

I really don't consider Ricky a smart fighter. He uses his physical advantages to wear you down. It's a good strategy but it doesn't require a lot of smarts.

Watch the Urango fight. Hatton was rightly criticised for a lackluster performance - but he could have easily lost if not for his clever methods and smart Boxing. Read Kayjay's post. Listen to how he words it.

Your feeling is respected however.

[moofo]

They both excel and what makes them special is they do it with distinct size disadvantages.
Ricky more so in that department with his 10 inch reach and height of a garden Gnome.