Why did Floyd struggle so bad with Marcos "Bar brawler" Maidana tough-man contest style?

[Loque-san]

Because at that point Floyd wasn't as good as he used to be and probably not the best boxer P4P. Maidana didn't go from average to elite. He was a slightly improved version of his old self. Devon Alexander would still maul that version of Maidana. In current welterweight division, Maidana would take a beating against Ennis. This isn't Broner.

Let's just call a spade a spade: Floyd wasn't all that anymore and made Maidana look better than he actually was.

[BodyBagz]

Did Horn ever got beaten by A Mere Con ?

I didn't know Horn was a boxer until Pac picked him from the cherry basket.

[Roadblock]

Because at that point Floyd wasn't as good as he used to be and probably not the best boxer P4P. Maidana didn't go from average to elite. He was a slightly improved version of his old self. Devon Alexander would still maul that version of Maidana. In current welterweight division, Maidana would take a beating against Ennis. This isn't Broner.

Let's just call a spade a spade: Floyd wasn't all that anymore and made Maidana look better than he actually was.

Maidana didn't look better to me, what he looked was in tremendous condition and 10 pound heavier, he played his weight advantage as physical as he could be, the only way you were going to stop him was to carry a lot of power, the Devon version was a shadow on the version Floyd fought, they all come at their best when they have nothing to lose with fame and fortune to gain, the difference in a guy going into a fight to when he is in the zone is a long way apart, all through history ATGs have had tough fights with sub-par guys, and its mostly because they lift 10 fold and the elite guy is not fully up for it.

[BodyBagz]

To add, it's easier to attack someone not known for having power.

So the recipe was simple, since Maidana knew his chin could withstand May's punches -
Rush him.

So much missing
So many rabbit punches

Not much struggling

[IronDanHamza]

Combination of things.

#1 His age and being many years past his best

#2 Floyd hadn't fought someone with a grueling style for many years at that point, someone who will make him work and rough him up, fight dirty and physically. His legs were much older and slower

#3 Maidan's size advantage, combined with his grueling aggressive style.

I predicted going into that fight it would be Floyd's toughest fight in many years, of course it was. As he came close to losing it.

[Ctx94]

He didn't struggle its a fight, because of Maidanas weight advantage and how strong and aggressive he was, Floyd had to fight him in the trenches, and he beat him at his own game, that was Maidanas fight of his life, he said after it he realizes why Floyd was the best in the world.

Its the same with Hattons bum rushing, it made Floyd stay tight and weather the initial aggression, as soon as that edge is taken off then he systematically took him apart,

Floyd could do it all.

Exactly maidena was successful because he was stronger physically than floyd

floyd couldn’t muscle him around in the clinch

people talking about maidana had better footwork than paquiao lmfao

floyd was stronger in the clinch than manny

everytime manny tried to lunge into range and let off a combo floyd either evade it or he would wrap manny up in the clinch

floyd was way stronger in the clinch and once manny was caught he couldn’t do nothing

maidana was a strong guy Floyd couldn’t get away with something like that so it limited his defensive options then add the fact he getting older so he can’t just float like a butterfly like when he was younger and to top it off maidana was an awkward puncher

[SweetPbfAli]

Exactly maidena was successful because he was stronger physically than floyd

floyd couldn’t muscle him around in the clinch

people talking about maidana had better footwork than paquiao lmfao

floyd was stronger in the clinch than manny

everytime manny tried to lunge into range and let off a combo floyd either evade it or he would wrap manny up in the clinch

floyd was way stronger in the clinch and once manny was caught he couldn’t do nothing

maidana was a strong guy Floyd couldn’t get away with something like that so it limited his defensive options then add the fact he getting older so he can’t just float like a butterfly like when he was younger and to top it off maidana was an awkward puncher

I feel this is directed at me so I'll reply. Marcos cuts the ring off better than Manny. Watch many against Mosley and Floyd. Floyd kept using his aggression against him and pivoted to his left while throwing a check left hook every damn time and Manny did nothing to change it.

Marcos trapped Floyd numerous times behind his jab and his underrated footwork. Not sure how else to explain it.

[SweetPbfAli]

Mayweather was beginning to erode. During the second fight, he commented on this himself.

That fight reminded me of Ken Norton vs Muhammad Ali II. Where Ali, come to the realization that his float like a butterfly and sting like a bee style? Was no longer as potent, even though he got the win.

Floyd Mayweather Junior's trade mark physical strength had decreased, meanwhile not the biggest puncher? His physical strength had always been elite.

And I think this was one of the reasons why he found fighting Maidana tough. I think he was actually worse in the second fight, but still got the win.

For the rematch Floyd Mayweather Junior changed his diet and training routine. Such was his concern of his own performances. After the rematch, he reverted back to his old training methodologies.

I think the Maidana clashes showed how great Mayweather was, even while his performances were decreasing. He was still overcoming challenges inside the ring, and adapting his game etc.

Great post! The Ali-Norton comparison is excellent. I didn't like how Floyd looked in the 2nd fight but I also don't think Marcos looked as good either. Floyd was fortunate enough to still have his legs and stamina for the second fight because as you said, his physical strength had diminished a great deal. Broner had more success dealing with Marcos physicality than Floyd.

I didn't know about the diet and training changes going into the rematch. That's interesting but also let's you know that Floyd understood the task at hand.

[Roadblock]

Mayweather was beginning to erode. During the second fight, he commented on this himself.

That fight reminded me of Ken Norton vs Muhammad Ali II. Where Ali, come to the realization that his float like a butterfly and sting like a bee style? Was no longer as potent, even though he got the win.

Floyd Mayweather Junior's trade mark physical strength had decreased, meanwhile not the biggest puncher? His physical strength had always been elite.

And I think this was one of the reasons why he found fighting Maidana tough. I think he was actually worse in the second fight, but still got the win.

For the rematch Floyd Mayweather Junior changed his diet and training routine. Such was his concern of his own performances. After the rematch, he reverted back to his old training methodologies.

I think the Maidana clashes showed how great Mayweather was, even while his performances were decreasing. He was still overcoming challenges inside the ring, and adapting his game etc.

Hmmm I thought Floyd won easily in the second fight, outboxing Maidana at range made it an easy night's work.

[Dakuwaqa]

Combination of styles make fights and Floyd being in the twilight of his career