by Robert Jackson: Floyd Mayweather Jr., an enigma, inside a paradox, inside a man. Arguably the best of his era, for this man emotions and the debate surrounding him run high. So what will it take for him to be beaten? Size? Strength? Speed?
First of all Mayweather who began his career at Jr lightweight stands 5’8.5” tall has a 72 inch reach from finger tip to finger tip and walks around at 150lbs+. He currently campaigns at 147lbs but for his May 5, 2012 bout will for the 2nd time move up to 154lbs to face WBA champion Miguel Cotto.
Mayweather extols as his many tools, quickness, speed, a thorough in-depth boxing mind honed since age 3, by father Floyd Mayweather Sr., under-appreciated toughness, and underrated punching power.. Added to these physical attributes are unrivaled boxing fundamentals and skill. So what will it take?
Criticized for a ‘defense first’ boxing mentality and accused of being a boring fighter Floyd has been in several memorable fights including fights against Diego Corrales, Arturo Gatti, Shane Mosley and just recently Victor Ortiz. In all of those fights Floyd has brought a different game to them and indeed NEVER fights the same in any fight – every fight is different.
Amongst Floyd’s tactics is his ability to control distance, tempo and rhythm of a fight. He also uses defensive techniques to frustrate an opponent into fighting the way he wants them to fight. He’s a master counterpuncher, can out-fight and in-fight with the best and is durable. Contrary to Freddie Roach’s assertion that Floyd’s legs are gone; Floyd has great legs and uses them appropriately to position himself advantageously in the ring.
Enough already with all of the Mayweather praise!! What it will take to beat Mayweather is…1) a quick jab (quickness is in the mind, speed is in the body), 2) control range better than Mayweather does, 3) subtle positioning and footwork that places his opponent off-center at angles to Mayweather, make him chase you with his punches then counter, 3) fight Mayweather at a tempo other than that he wants to fight at, i.e. fight him fast when he wants to fight slow and vice versa, 4) tie him up on the inside and don’t let him punch quickly after the referee’s break, 5) stand your ground when he tries to draw you in and make him come to you, 6) when he comes to you step out and punch while doing so.
With all of this said I have to go back to what Floyd in the past has said and that is, “It looks easy until you get in the ring” and that is probably the case here, but after all this article is just speculative. What it will actually take to beat Mayweather as my wife would say is…Mayweather beating himself (underestimating his opponent, not training hard, not being in shape, etc.)!