Kostya Tszyu vs Floyd Mayweather at 140

[IMDAZED]

Probably because it wasn't very easy to fight like that against him. His punches hurt and it was a pain getting inside without being at the end of his punches on the way. That is why it was his prime after that fight, and regardless he did catch everyone! Not some everybody got caught in his prime. An argument could be that his prime didn't happen till the Hurtado fight.

Exactly. And Mayweather CAN. not to mention how Mayweather - at 27 - was incredibly ring savvy - no age excuse there!

[Dan...]

At least the poll has become a little more realistic now. It was looking ridiculous to start with.

[Allucard]

I would actually lean towards Tszyu over Mayweather at 140lbs.

Tszyu's biggest weakness was pressure. People fail to give Hatton any credit for his victory but he had the exact blueprint on how to beat Tszyu which Vince Phillips laid out. Hatton suffocated Tszyu, mauled him and tired him out. Yes him being 35 years old didnt help his case with the intensity it was fought at but I think overall Hatton's tactics were what won him the fight.

Give Tszyu space and try to box him from a distance and you're absolutely ****ed. Tszyu was never troubled by speed. Judah's speed gave him a problem for all of 3 minutes before he eventually caught up to him. Mayweather probably wouldnt fold as easily as Judah but I still think Tszyu could have pulled it off.

Floyd is one of the best boxers who has EVER lived. I think Tszu is not even in the same league as him. Very honestly

[poeticlsykuac]

Exactly. And Mayweather CAN. not to mention how Mayweather - at 27 - was incredibly ring savvy - no age excuse there!

I didn't say Mayweather wasn't savvy, he is very impressive, but he was also gifted great reactions and speed. Tszyu just was a blunt instrument basically. He had power but no where the speed of Judah, or Mayweather. Yet he still caught everyone, Judah, Mitchell, and yes you can't compare them to well, but these were durable guys that were figured out. Basically I am saying that Tszyu found everyone. Mayweather has been caught. If it was Tszyu what would happen? Mayweather doesn't have the strength to throw himself in for a clinch with Tszyu in his prime, Tszyu throws him down like he did everyone else. Mayweather fought from 4 on, he was trained to be a world champ his whole life, his knowledge was 23 years in. I already said Mayweather would most likely decision but this isn't a walk in the park.

Tszyu would most likely catch him and that would be when we found out.

[Bea5T]

Tszyu is not even in the discussion

[Burner]

Mayweather would own Kosta until the ref called it off....

[wmute]

Mayweather will want the fight close and that's what he'll get. Especially if he starts off moving. He's no Zab Judah when it comes to lateral footwork and boxing from the outside. But he cant do that for 12 rounds against Tszyu and he knows this. I'm of the opinion Tszyu will be happy to see Mayweather stand still. And Mayweather will want the fight close. What's Tszyu gonna do if that's what Floyd wants? Box from the outside? NO! He's used to guys running from him. So he's used to chasing. Game, set, match Floyd.

But my point is, because Zoo is a good fighter from outside, once he sees he is getting beat up bad up close, why repeat it? Zoo is not dumb, he will try other stuff, and being potshotted will feel better than taking those bodyshots will.

[IMDAZED]

But my point is, because Zoo is a good fighter from outside, once he sees he is getting beat up bad up close, why repeat it? Zoo is not dumb, he will try other stuff, and being potshotted will feel better than taking those bodyshots will.

Because he's in a no win situation.

Ok, he's getting beat up inside. So what's he gonna do? Step back and do what? Box? No.

Tszyu had success from long range because fighters were moving AWAY from him. Floyd won't do that. So Tszyu can either move away from Floyd (box) or he can step back and come forward - which would lead to an inside fight again.

I don't know if I'm making sense but the bottom line is Floyd won't back up. So Tszyu will either have to back up or come forward.

[wmute]

I didn't say Mayweather wasn't savvy, he is very impressive, but he was also gifted great reactions and speed. Tszyu just was a blunt instrument basically. He had power but no where the speed of Judah, or Mayweather. Yet he still caught everyone, Judah, Mitchell, and yes you can't compare them to well, but these were durable guys that were figured out. Basically I am saying that Tszyu found everyone. Mayweather has been caught. If it was Tszyu what would happen? Mayweather doesn't have the strength to throw himself in for a clinch with Tszyu in his prime, Tszyu throws him down like he did everyone else. Mayweather fought from 4 on, he was trained to be a world champ his whole life, his knowledge was 23 years in. I already said Mayweather would most likely decision but this isn't a walk in the park.

Tszyu would most likely catch him and that would be when we found out.

1) I don't see where you get the notion that Zoo would outmuscle Floyd.

2) Floyd gets caught by looping shots (thrown by lefties I would add), Zoo's relevant punch is the opposite of a looping shot

I am not saying Mayweather walks in there and does Zoo like he did Gatto Bruseles or Corley. But he has all the tools in his hands to get the job done. Zoo's tool box doesn't look as good.

[wmute]

Because he's in a no win situation.

Ok, he's getting beat up inside. So what's he gonna do? Step back and do what? Box? No.

Tszyu had success from long range because fighters were moving AWAY from him. Floyd won't do that. So Tszyu can either move away from Floyd (box) or he can step back and come forward - which would lead to an inside fight again.

I don't know if I'm making sense but the bottom line is Floyd won't back up. So Tszyu will either have to back up or come forward.

You are making sense, I am following you, but I think that because when Zoo gets in, Floyd won't even have to worry about that right hand, Zoo is going to get nailed with harder stuff. If he tries to box, PBF will be more alert and load less on his shots. Where will Zoo feel more comfortable? eating hard leather or being potshotted? I think being potshotted.

I am not saying this fight will happen on the outside only, but I don't see them getting in and staying in the pocket for too long either. When Mayweather starts landind those bodyshots he was landing on Hatton on the inside, any fighter with another route at hand will try to take it. Because of this, it would be up to Floyd to make it a phone booth fight at that point, and he is usually not interested in doing that.