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Now, I'll be the first to say Floyd has shown some amazing ability. He's displayed unique, impressive defensive techniques, extremely fast reflexes, great footwork and overall masterful technique. Hate as you will- that's all fact.
Regardless, I think we can all agree Floyd is 'safety-first' in his mentality. He's admitted this; boxing is the sport of hit and don't get hit. He was the Pretty Boy because he never took damage. His technique, at least before the lay-off, was so well executed that he rarely ever got clipped let alone seriously hurt.
The above is, grumble or not, mostly fact. The following, though, is a hypothetical situation:
Floyd Mayweather has lost a step since being "retired". While still in amazing physical shape his speed has slown just a bit- and therefore his timing is off. Everything his mind tells him about how quickly he can counter, move, pivot and land a sharp punch; it's all a second off, and it shows.
Visibly- whether against Marquez or someone else- it's not all coming together like it used to. He's still a very good boxer, but the speed is not what it was and his stamina becomes an issue because he's been taking more damage than ever before.
While still able to hold his own, over the first several rounds Floyd Mayweather has taken some punishment. Not more than another boxer- but for him, for what Floyd has become accustomed to- an inordinate amount. His body has been plastered, and his movement is slowing down, he's visibly bothered by the shots landing downstairs.
His opponent is smelling blood. Floyd, unable to dance, is backed against the ropes a few times- and when that happens he actually, in a shocking scene we're unaccustomed to, is nailed hard. His head goes back, he's forced to hold on.
A few rounds go by, maybe wading into the sixth or seventh, and for the firs time when Money May sits in the corner we can see the discomfort and uncertainty on his face. He is not having an easy night. His lips are swollen, maybe he has a cut or a mouse forming above his eye.
Here's the question for you reading this now- when that bell rings, and Floyd can't move as well, he's not in imminent danger of being put down, but he's taking real damage- how does Floyd Mayweather respond?
There are two choices; with his inability to avoid taking damage he can either fight- and I mean truly fight- use the defense he has to avoid taking too much, get smacked around a bit, but stand in the center of the ring and use what speed he has- and in this hypothetical he's still got some- and **** back. To do this, though, Floyd Mayweather is going to have to get cut, to allow his body to bleed, to feel the harsh punches in a way he really never has- but he can do damage of his own.
The second choice is, Floyd can fall into a shell. He can just defend as much as possible and try to survive. Yes, he can go into survival mode, not even attempt to win the fight, and be content not to take any more damage. We're not talking, in this world, of Floyd getting pummeled- but he is going to have to wade through punishing, hash waters to get a victory- and he doesn't. He visibly, shaken at his inability to seemingly land at will, dance, and do as he pleases- he quite unabashedly succeeds the victory and just hangs on to lose.
That, or maybe he gets knocked down.
The question is- to you- how does an older, slower, yet still good Floyd Mayweather Jr. handle having to really, truly, work hard to win.
Thoughts?
Regardless, I think we can all agree Floyd is 'safety-first' in his mentality. He's admitted this; boxing is the sport of hit and don't get hit. He was the Pretty Boy because he never took damage. His technique, at least before the lay-off, was so well executed that he rarely ever got clipped let alone seriously hurt.
The above is, grumble or not, mostly fact. The following, though, is a hypothetical situation:
Floyd Mayweather has lost a step since being "retired". While still in amazing physical shape his speed has slown just a bit- and therefore his timing is off. Everything his mind tells him about how quickly he can counter, move, pivot and land a sharp punch; it's all a second off, and it shows.
Visibly- whether against Marquez or someone else- it's not all coming together like it used to. He's still a very good boxer, but the speed is not what it was and his stamina becomes an issue because he's been taking more damage than ever before.
While still able to hold his own, over the first several rounds Floyd Mayweather has taken some punishment. Not more than another boxer- but for him, for what Floyd has become accustomed to- an inordinate amount. His body has been plastered, and his movement is slowing down, he's visibly bothered by the shots landing downstairs.
His opponent is smelling blood. Floyd, unable to dance, is backed against the ropes a few times- and when that happens he actually, in a shocking scene we're unaccustomed to, is nailed hard. His head goes back, he's forced to hold on.
A few rounds go by, maybe wading into the sixth or seventh, and for the firs time when Money May sits in the corner we can see the discomfort and uncertainty on his face. He is not having an easy night. His lips are swollen, maybe he has a cut or a mouse forming above his eye.
Here's the question for you reading this now- when that bell rings, and Floyd can't move as well, he's not in imminent danger of being put down, but he's taking real damage- how does Floyd Mayweather respond?
There are two choices; with his inability to avoid taking damage he can either fight- and I mean truly fight- use the defense he has to avoid taking too much, get smacked around a bit, but stand in the center of the ring and use what speed he has- and in this hypothetical he's still got some- and **** back. To do this, though, Floyd Mayweather is going to have to get cut, to allow his body to bleed, to feel the harsh punches in a way he really never has- but he can do damage of his own.
The second choice is, Floyd can fall into a shell. He can just defend as much as possible and try to survive. Yes, he can go into survival mode, not even attempt to win the fight, and be content not to take any more damage. We're not talking, in this world, of Floyd getting pummeled- but he is going to have to wade through punishing, hash waters to get a victory- and he doesn't. He visibly, shaken at his inability to seemingly land at will, dance, and do as he pleases- he quite unabashedly succeeds the victory and just hangs on to lose.
That, or maybe he gets knocked down.
The question is- to you- how does an older, slower, yet still good Floyd Mayweather Jr. handle having to really, truly, work hard to win.
Thoughts?
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