Floyd is the most skilled fighter of all time.

[stefl14]

I think that people like Hopkins are no less skilled than Floyd, doing what they do without outstanding atheletic qualities.

I should have said as hard or harder. fair point. you don't stay in top shape and learn those skills without working hard. Bernard absolutely stays in the gym and is a master of the craft. Floyd does too.

Bhop may have as many skills but I don't recall seeing all of them on display throughout his career.

I can see where you are coming from mate. B-hop's development as a skilled fighter has taken longer than Floyd. He has evolved as a fighter though. He has the skill to pressure and throw combos (if you watched a young Bernard you will have seen this) but no longer posessed the atheletic ability to do so in his forties. Instead, he boxes and outwits his opponents; what he does, he does well, as well as a man as old as him can hope. This is kind of the same as Floyd, who is no youngster himself in terms of boxing. He now fights more flatfooted and is more conservative and fights with more intelligence.

[brick wall]

I disagree as much as one can respectfully disagree. Floyd has more natural ability because of his father but he works harder than every other fighter in the sport. I think this is where floyd's antics and persona hurt him the most.

you know what? i think floyd can show more skills than what we've seen from him but because of his attitude of being too cautious he's not showing everything he got.

[The Big Dunn]

I can see where you are coming from mate. B-hop's development as a skilled fighter has taken longer than Floyd. He has evolved as a fighter though. He has the skill to pressure and throw combos (if you watched a young Bernard you will have seen this) but no longer posessed the atheletic ability to do so in his forties. Instead, he boxes and outwits his opponents; what he does, he does well, as well as a man as old as him can hope. This is kind of the same as Floyd, who is no youngster himself in terms of boxing. He now fights more flatfooted and is more conservative and fights with more intelligence.

Can't disagree with you at all. WHen you have all the skills these guys possess it allows you to be conservative with your punches while you see what is going on. You can lose speed and athleticism but you cant lose intelligence.

bernard may have had everything and just didn't need to use it. I should give him more credit.

[The Big Dunn]

you know what? i think floyd can show more skills than what we've seen from him but because of his attitude of being too cautious he's not showing everything he got.

I don't tink its caution bricky. i know I'm a floyd fan but to me its simply efficient offense.I think being efficient (not wasting punches, not getting hit when it isn't necessary, reduced volume) helps his stamina and keeps him in fights long after opponenets wither. While floyd may lose early rounds here and there, when was the last time you saw him lose rounds 9-12?

[brick wall]

But having athleticism is still irrelevant to learning skills. If he was slow he could still learn the shoulder roll he just wouldn't look as good doing it. James Toney is slower yet he took the time to learn the skill. All I'm saying is speed, athleticism, power, size affect how one looks using what they learn in the gym.

i totally disagree. if you have the right physical attributes it's easier for you to learn boxing skills. attitude also is a major factor in learning skills. even if you have the athleticism but you are too lazy to train you won't go far. but most of the time having good talents is the best foundation to make a good fighter.

[The Big Dunn]

i totally disagree. if you have the right physical attributes it's easier for you to learn boxing skills. attitude also is a major factor in learning skills. even if you have the athleticism but you are too lazy to train you won't go far. but most of the time having good talents is the best foundation to make a good fighter.

It may be easier yes, but you can still learn it. I hate to quote floyd but it takes "hard work and dedication".

[stefl14]

I don't tink its caution bricky. i know I'm a floyd fan but to me its simply efficient offense.I think being efficient (not wasting punches, not getting hit when it isn't necessary, reduced volume) helps his stamina and keeps him in fights long after opponenets wither. While floyd may lose early rounds here and there, when was the last time you saw him lose rounds 9-12?

This is kind of right in my opinion. Floyd threw combinations when he could at lower weights but now he can't do that. He potshots which works for him. But at welterweight throwing combos leaves his opponent time to catch him which could mean him losing rounds or worse, getting KO'd. We saw in the De La Hoya fight before the final bell Floyd threw some flashy combo's rather than potshotting and got caught. He can't afford to do that when he can win rounds using caution instead of losing them because he gets caught. Unfortunately, Floyds style of fighting means he is labelled as featherfisted by some.

[fabie]

People need to show him more respect on here. There aint nooone who stands a chance of beating him. 41 have tried, 41 have failed. Manny Pacquiaos a great fighter but hes lost so I dont see how anyone can rate him over Floyd.

Lets be honest hes second only to Ali really.

I can agree with that most specially him being 2nd to Ali (Ali is the greatest in my opinion).

But the heart is where people would question Mayweather.

[brick wall]

I don't tink its caution bricky. i know I'm a floyd fan but to me its simply efficient offense.I think being efficient (not wasting punches, not getting hit when it isn't necessary, reduced volume) helps his stamina and keeps him in fights long after opponenets wither. While floyd may lose early rounds here and there, when was the last time you saw him lose rounds 9-12?

because he is defensive minded. again i wanna say this...it's not only in defense where you can find skills. there's also skills in offense. and for me offense is not just about accuracy...it's more of what is the effect on your opponent. floyd's offense is no longer what it used to be when he was at 130/135 that's why i said he's being cautious.

[Steak]

It always cracks me up when I hear '41 have tried, 41 have failed'. He fought Castillo twice, so its only 40 you dumbasses lol.


anyhow, Mayweather is undoubtedly and undeniably very skilled...but certainly not in my mind the 'most skilled of all time'. He relies a lot on his speed, conditioning and reflexes. I dont blame him for that, and it doesnt whatsoever take away from his career.

But in terms of just flat out skill, knowing the sports' mechanics in and out...I dont think hes more skilled than someone like Hopkins.
I mean, imagining him some years down the road where his speed and reflexes have gone...I just dont see him at the top of the sport anymore.