As a Mayweather fan, I say hes past prime.

[Hougigo]

I think that's crazy talk man O.O

I think if Canelo tires the way he did against Trout, then Mayweather will really put it on him, but I can't see Mayweather stopping the much bigger Canelo. Canelo knows how to cover up pretty well.

He might be so tired he goes why bother mode and just walks around the whole fight getting hit and the ref/corner stops it... that is if he gets super gassed

[LoadedWraps]

yet still whoops everyones ass. hows that even possible?

he peaked against hatton.

truely the greatest.

Why do people misuse "prime" so much? Just because someone is beyond their prime, does not = shot/done/inable. It just means you are on the decline, that decline could take many many years. People are too obsessed with polar opposites on this site. It's always either "done", "elite", "bum", "washed up", hype job" "exposed" "finished". Like there is no middle ground. Binary thinking.

[Frank Ducketts]

Why do people misuse "prime" so much? Just because someone is beyond their prime, does not = shot/done/inable. It just means you are on the decline, that decline could take many many years. People are too obsessed with polar opposites on this site. It's always either "done", "elite", "bum", "washed up", hype job" "exposed" "finished". Like there is no middle ground. Binary thinking.

Great post. The greats age like fine wine. Roberto Duran was proof of this.

[Verstyle]

I think Mayweather is one of these rare boxers that does not have a prime. He had a physical prime as every human does and physically was at his best in his 20's but just like other great fighters of the past, his style has gone through many changes. Fighters like Lennox Lewis who was a great athlete in his youth yet slowed down and became a more intelligent, savvy fighter who picked his shots beautifully... fighters like Ali who was a guy who used his fast legs and hands to box circles around people but later on used his smarts and toughness to win fights. He is the sort of fighter where you would be hard pressed to pick a prime version. You could make arguments for almost all stages of his career. Of course his physical prime is way past him at 36 going on 37 but his longevity is a true sign of a great boxer that has adapted his style over the years in order to remain at an elite level. A lot of fighters rely too much on their physicality's and once these start diminishing and they become that fraction of a second slower or they are not able to KO guys left, right and center, they usually end up losing as they could not adjust.

:clap: great post

[Verstyle]

part of the game if you're a known warrior.

meanwhile, your idol is so skilled... on ducking worthy opponents and rather chooses to fight cherry picked past prime fighters to pad his undefeated record.

I am lost you call Manny a warrior and Floyd a cherry picker? yet Manny was ko'd by a guy Floyd was accused of cherry picking? and fought 4 more of the same fighters Floyd did? how does that work? not to mention Floyd is fighting top champions in his division coming off of wins..when was the last time Manny did that?

[El Angel]

Clearly past prime, still one of the most skilled fighters in the world by far.

[boliodogs]

36 years old is past prime for any fighter including Hopkins.Mayweather is aging well and taking care of himself.He trains very hard and still has a great desire to win and compete. He has never lost a fight but that still does not make him the greatest. He is a great fighter but whether he is the best fighter that ever lived is a matter of opinion.You think he is but most fans don't rate him quite that high. I I seen fighters his weight I think would have defeated him prime against prime. Duran and Napoles at lightweight and Robinson and Hearns at welterweight to name a few.

[BornToLive]

He physically peaked against Gatti, in my opinion.

But he's much more intelligence right now he was in his physical prime.

[8thSamurai]

It's something to be said that his best weight is 130 yet he is still competing at welterweight a decade later at the top level.

Guys that started higher like Hatton, Cotto, etc. could only cut it at welterweight for a short period and Mayweather doesn't even hit as hard or is as strong. It's mostly his skill that allows him to compete so high up. It's great to watch

[Phil Ivey]

his physical prime may be over, but his ring IQ and technical prowess is better than ever.