Pernell Whitaker vs Floyd Mayweather Jr. at 147lb

[Sweet Pete]

it seems everyone is picking whitaker, but can someone give me a description as to why, because if they fought 10 times, mayweather would win 5 and whitaker would win 5, mayweather actually is a bigger puncher than whitaker, but either way a fight between them is close as any matchup could be historically because they are so similar

Mayweather has no advantages here, other than possibly power, and it's not a sizable margin,nor one that will really come into play. Whitaker is at least even in every other area. The advantages Whitaker does hold are that he is a southpaw(which has been known to give Mayweather problems, from Floyd's own mouth) and his jab, which has been shown in spurts to give Floyd trouble. Inside, both are very good, Whitaker proving himself more for sure, being the more crafty of the two.

On the outside, Whitaker's jab is his key, and the most important thing for Whitaker's success, his workrate. He had a very high punch output at LW, often throwing 100+ punchers per round and 1000+ punches per fight. With two great defensive fighters like this, the guy who throws more(especially with at least one punch that will have a decent connect percentage, the southpaw jab) will likely land more and be seen as the aggressor.

Whitaker holds the major advantages, Floyd holds hardly any, and if he does, they are small ones. Only thing that might do a good bit of success for Floyd is his straight right, which is a good weapon against a southpaw. His adaptability as well. I see Pernell winning most of the early rounds, but unlike Zab, not fading as Mayweather comes on. Pea wins about 8-4 or 7-5.

[Sweet Pete]

I don't at all see it being that clear cut ad give a slight edge to Mayweather, in all honesty. I honestly think Mayweather's defense AND offense are both slightly better than Pernell's, and Pernell was feather fisted.

If Pernell was feather-fisted so is Floyd, and you think Floyd's defense was better? Really?

And at LW I don't think Floyd's offense was better either, given Whitaker's higher workrate.

[SpeedKillz]

it seems everyone is picking whitaker, but can someone give me a description as to why, because if they fought 10 times, mayweather would win 5 and whitaker would win 5, mayweather actually is a bigger puncher than whitaker, but either way a fight between them is close as any matchup could be historically because they are so similar

i agree with this one.

[sonofisis]

If Pernell was feather-fisted so is Floyd, and you think Floyd's defense was better? Really?

Yes, he covers up better and gets hit less, also Floyd hits harder than Pernell.

And at LW I don't think Floyd's offense was better either, given Whitaker's higher workrate.

Mayweather was more accurate.

[Ray*]

Its difficult to split them but i would give PBF a slight advantage at 135 and a better advantage at 147.

[Sweet Pete]

Yes, he covers up better and gets hit less, also Floyd hits harder than Pernell.

Gets hit less? Not sure about that. Depends on who they're fighting. Against top comp they get hit about the same. Mayweather covered up better, Pernel dodged better. They are pretty similar, Pea proved it against better competition.

Mayweather was more accurate.

Based on? I wouldn't say he was, and he didn't have as high a punch output either.

[Sweet Pete]

Its difficult to split them but i would give PBF a slight advantage at 135 and a better advantage at 147.

What advantages do you give Floyd?

[pbftxrs316]

it seems everyone is picking whitaker, but can someone give me a description as to why, because if they fought 10 times, mayweather would win 5 and whitaker would win 5, mayweather actually is a bigger puncher than whitaker, but either way a fight between them is close as any matchup could be historically because they are so similar

thank you black jesus, everybody has their opinions and that's fine, but of course on this forum, it's pretty hard to get a decent argument from a floyd hater anyway, so let me explain this complicated matchup.

okay, if this fight took place at 147, it's a tossup imo. too close to call for me. what people don't seem to want to admit if they do even realize it is that pernell wasn't a big puncher, he was a decent puncher, but not a big puncher, and against somebody as methodical as floyd, you have to be a huge puncher to really hurt him. you see, pernell as we all know is a great defensive fighter, which was his greatest trait, but floyd is definitely the better counterpuncher, and blocker. pernell was hard as hell to hit, but so is floyd for that matter. at 147 though, seeing how pernell is southpaw, he would have given floyd many problems imo seeing how hard is was to hit, but floyd is also a patient fighter, so this is why i would have a toss up, not a clear decison like many of these assclowns on here have it, with no reasoning behind their choice.

if it was at 135, i give to floyd no doubt, because as fast as sweet pea was, floyd was too fast with his counterpuncing at the smaller weight classes. pernell is a southpaw an di could see floyd having some problems with him, but i see floyd winning this fight also, even with the struggle. they are both masters of the defense, but floyd fought at better angles imo and sweet pea was the better head mover, buit floyd imo would have been too fast for pernell and pernell by no means was slow, he was also fast as ****, but floyd did everything at a fast pace, and at 135 or 140, floyd would have been too much for pernell. this is a dream match i always wanted to see and still want to see for that matter, of course with them both in their primes.

[The Noose]

Floyd uses his footwork and movement to stay out of range most of the time. Whitaker would normally prefer to stay much closer to his opponent and stand his ground.
Their styles were quite different.

I think the main advantage Whitaker has is that he is a southpaw and quite unorthadox. But its a very close fight. With niether landing very much.

Whitaker wasnt invincible like some want to believe. Im a big fan of his, but Mayweather could definatly beat him, and vice versa.

[pbftxrs316]

If Pernell was feather-fisted so is Floyd, and you think Floyd's defense was better? Really?

And at LW I don't think Floyd's offense was better either, given Whitaker's higher workrate.

floyd's offense was better at lightwieght. floyd used the ring better and fought off of the ropes better and he was more of a killer at 140 also. he sat down on his punches more and i feel could have knocked sweet pea out or down a few times.