Floyd Shouldn't Have To Face The Best At 147

[MELLY-MEL...]

That was one fight and very controversial, what about Floyd fighting Oscar, 24 pounds higher than 130, 160 is 13 pounds higher than 147, huge difference. Im not downing Leonard but many hate on Floyd not realizing that its asking alot to move up that high and face guys who are their best there when you were your best many many weight levels down.

comparing an old oscar to hagler???????? sorry, no way.

[Bhopreign]

Your point is well understood, but even when you make it all it does is diminish his status compared to the greats who have faced all comers. Roberto Duran could have moved up and fought the weaker guys in the divisions and avoided real threats, but he didn't he fought other ALL TIME GREATS, not just the top dogs in the division, ALL TIME GREATS. He won some and he lost some but the fact that he did puts him above Floyd in my estimation and in the estimation of many others.

Compare what Duran was making then to what Floyd has made. Im sure if Floyd needed the money he would have fought all comers, no need to though. Even LaMotta said he wouldnt have fought the best if he didnt need the money.

[Bhopreign]

comparing an old oscar to hagler???????? sorry, no way.

Nobody's comparing besides Hagler didnt look like the Hagler we had been accustomed to seeing in that fight either and Leonard knew that and thats why he fought him, thats general history.

[adrsan84]

Compare what Duran was making then to what Floyd has made. Im sure if Floyd needed the money he would have fought all comers, no need to though. Even LaMotta said he wouldnt have fought the best if he didnt need the money.

Well, then maybe all the money has ruined boxing but it sure as hell cost Floyds legacy.

[THe TRiNiTY]

Skill wise, he might (and he happens to) be better than all the heavyweights. That has nothing to do with him facing them heads up.

if he's better than they are heads up, then he has to prove that. If not, and you want to say he's not at his natural weight, then fine. But, you can't tell me he's the best welterweight. You can't have it both ways.

Either he's better ONLY p4p, and I'd concede that point, and shouldn't have to face them. He would only be there for the money. That's his right.

Or, he's better heads up, in which case he should prove it.

[AceNguyen]

comparing an old oscar to hagler???????? sorry, no way.

Hagler was old when he fought Leonard; past his prime just like Oscar was. He's a greater fighter than Oscar was, but don't act as if Hagler was at his peak.

[abadger]

Simply because he was at his best at 130-135. Welterweight is 17 pounds higher than his best showings which were at 130 and 135 respectively. Sugar Ray Leonard started at 147 and fought his best fights there. He only fought at 160 four times 168 once and 154 once. So when people say Leonard fought the best, well yeah, but they were at his natural weight. Did we see Leonard fight the best at 168 in LaLonde when he fought there once? No, and we shouldnt expect that, being that is way above his best weight.

People forget or don't realize that Floyd turned professional in 1996, in 1993 as an amateur he fought at 106 and in 1994 he fought at 114, nobody moves up like that and if they do its after many years. Again welterweight is 17 pounds higher than his best weight and he even fought at 154 once, 24 pounds above his best weight, people dont seem to realize this when comparing Floyd to others. What you have to ask yourself is whomever you are comparing him to, did that fighter continously fight the best at weights much higher than their best weights, odds are they didnt.

This is quite true, but if 147 was too big for Floyd (and looking at Margarito I'm thinking it might be) he should have manned up and gone back down to 140 or 135. Having said that I do think he gets too hard a time, its not like Hatton and Oscar were **** opponents.

[MELLY-MEL...]

Skill wise, he might (and he happens to) be better than all the heavyweights. That has nothing to do with him facing them heads up.

if he's better than they are heads up, then he has to prove that. If not, and you want to say he's not at his natural weight, then fine. But, you can't tell me he's the best welterweight. You can't have it both ways.

Either he's better ONLY p4p, and I'd concede that point, and shouldn't have to face them. He would only be there for the money. That's his right.

Or, he's better heads up, in which case he should prove it.

agreed. good post.

[BetterCallSaul]

ooo00000000000

[Haterfree]

Floyd is retired & is a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. So he doesnt have to fight anyone anymore. But he has so many obsessed fans that they wont let him go