Can Floyd MAYWEATHER, Jr still be a top fighter at 38-40 years old?

[Al Haymon]

I was thinking about how many more fights we might see from Mayweather. He said that he is back for many more fights.

Given that some of the other guys who always stayed in shape are still top fighters (Hopkins, Shane, Marquez, etc), is it reasonable to expect that FMJ can (not 'will", but "can") be a top fighter into his late 30's and 40.

He hasn't taken beatings in the ring
He has very good fundamentals
He can win fights at a slow pace
He hasn't yo-yo'd his weight
He just took a (possibly refreshing?) break
He spends like a drunken sailor


The stage seems set for FMJ to fight another five-ish years.

Do you think he will?

[winky44]

Yes floyd looks after his body! he has never drank or done drugs, has a great defence, hand picks opponents and does not put alot of weight on in between fights.

[Squirrel]

Easily yeah: people like Holyfield have taken huge care of themselves but taken a pasting over the years, yet are still in the game.

So yeah, given he hasnt been in any wars, taken pretty much any damage etc, he could easily continue for years to come.

[studentofthegam]

Yeah he could but I dont think he should. He depends on reflexes and that will be the first thing to go. There are only gonna be a few Bhop's and Sugar Shane's.

[GJC]

Not so sure whether the inevitable loss of speed and reflexes will suit him, also think MW and above suits the older fighters. Wait and see I guess

[boxasmash]

No, can you imagine a slow fighter trying to use the shoulder roll? they would get merked.

[Al Haymon]

Not so sure whether the inevitable loss of speed and reflexes will suit him, also think MW and above suits the older fighters. Wait and see I guess

You are definitely correct that smaller fighters age faster. And Floyd had 85% of his career at 140 and below.

That is something that I take into consideration. Still, Marquez is pretty damn effective at 36.

Floyd may lose his reflexes, but he can still be the type of fighter that BHop is. Bernard won't beat the more athletic fightes (Taylor, Calzaghe, Dawson) buy can beat the more plodding guys (Tarver, Pavlik).

An older floyd prolly won't beat a Berto

[Al Haymon]

No, can you imagine a slow fighter trying to use the shoulder roll? they would get merked.

Then you don't know about James Toney.

[bojangles1987]

Even when he starts to lose his athleticism he has a good enough boxing IQ to compete at a top level for a while after. He probably won't have a Hopkins style career but he'll be good.

[M.I Truth ?]

No, can you imagine a slow fighter trying to use the shoulder roll? they would get merked.

James Toney is still around and doesnt extactly have his speed the way he used to. He is no longer considered elite but he can compete.