How popular would Floyd be in the 80s?

[Pacdbest]

Let me just start by saying:
I like boxing. When it comes to Mayweather I view him in the same way I viewed pro wrestler Ric Flair. He may have been one of the absolute best in the ring, but the fact of the matter is he was the bad guy so I was rooting for Hogan. Mayweather is amazing and I may be hoping he loses but his skills are amazing none the less. I think most of us can agree that the way he is portrayed on 24/7 makes you want to boo him, but none the less I need to watch his next fight.

My point:
How popular would Mayweather be if it was 1982? Personally I think kids my age(22, so I don't know what boxing was actually like back in the 80's but it seems like a golden era with leonard, hagler, duran, and hearns) have no attention spans. I don't think they can actually appreciate his skills. On the other side of the coin they didn't have 24/7 in the 80's which is something we can all agree has helped Mayweather's popularity.

My question?
How popular would Mayweather be in a different generation? I feel in earlier generations he would have gotten more credit for his skill but he wouldn't have had the marketing of 24/7. Personally I think he would be more popular than he is now, had more fans, but wouldn't have made the paydays he's made recently playing the bad guy.

What are your opinions?

Less Popular than his Dad!!!

[Poet682006]

Hector Camacho WAS fighting in the '80s: Why would we need Hector's clone too?

Poet

[Kiid Dynamite]

He would have been appreciated much more

[Poet682006]

He would have been appreciated much more

Naw, no real fight fan appreciated Hector Camacho so I have no doubt Floyd Camachoweather wouldn't be either.

Poet

[DLT]

Floyd wouldve been super popular because he wouldve done what he shoudlve did in this era and thats "not" move up. He wouldnt have moved to WW because Hearns-Leonard and those guys were just too big and good. The size advantage wouldve been too much but from 130-140 he wouldve been a beast and he wouldve been way more offensive. People would see his overall skillset alot more. I always say that now. He moved up just to chase the money. He shouldve stayed at LW alot longer and he shouldve stayed at 140 alot longer. If he had done that then everyone would be looking at him differently. Everyone would be saying that he's the most skilled guys ever and he wouldve been easily letting his hands go

[Poet682006]

Floyd wouldve been super popular because he wouldve done what he shoudlve did in this era and thats "not" move up. He wouldnt have moved to WW because Hearns-Leonard and those guys were just too big and good. The size advantage wouldve been too much but from 130-140 he wouldve been a beast and he wouldve been way more offensive. People would see his overall skillset alot more. I always say that now. He moved up just to chase the money. He shouldve stayed at LW alot longer and he shouldve stayed at 140 alot longer. If he had done that then everyone would be looking at him differently. Everyone would be saying that he's the most skilled guys ever and he wouldve been easily letting his hands go

Of course if Floyd spent his career at Lightweight in that era than Duran might have stuck around that division a bit longer just to beat the bling-bling out of Floyd and send him into a new career buying boats.

Poet

[Blue Heffner]

I don't know because I don't think we've seen Floyd bring his game against anyone. And at this point, I don't think we ever will. But I had to assume. I think he would hold his on.

[El Jesus]

Floyd i dont think would have had the personality to be extremely popular.

Another thing.

People are talking about floyd ducking the best fighters etc, but the difference would be, the best fighters of his era wouldnt have a problem with getting in the ring with him. During floyds run from 130-140, there were a whole host of fighters not exactly eager to get in the ring with him, welterweight drama is recent history, back then, there wouldnt have been an issue with people getting in the ring with him because one big loss or two, or three didint end careers like it does today. i think he would have garnered alot of respect, but popularity? who knows.

One thing i will say is that floyd would have never had to resort to becoming "money mayweather", the climate then was different.

also, whoever the person was that talked about rogers loss to chavez, how on earth do you possibly compare roger to floyd and draw that as a comparison to his career in the 80's? thats just ******.

[El Jesus]

Hector Camacho WAS fighting in the '80s: Why would we need Hector's clone too?

Poet

thats just ******, honestly. The idea of comparing camacho to floyd. Floyd adopted the style he has now later in age and higher in the division. Camacho pulled that crap no matter what. Also, you really envision a guy like mayweather struggling with a past his prime mancini?

[Young Mike]

Maybe as popular as the other Mayweather. I can't see Floyd fighting Leonard, Hearns, Benitez, Hangler, Duran and some of them twice. If he did he would've lost some fights. If he didn't he would've been looked as a coward. If he did he would've been hurt which would've taking its toll on him like it did to these other greats. I can't see him looking any better than any of these guys. These fighters were quick and dangerous. Floyd is just quick.