Floyd Leonard tape

hi-res-c366c6c27226c05ca662ff8ba2f4464b_crop_north

 

Floyd versus Ray Leonard, Floyd versus Andre Berto: A Now and Then Comparison

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 

Never underestimate your opponent! The famed adage is apropos with Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Andre Berto. The underachieving Berto has reached ten WBC, WBA and IBF world title bouts, and three NABF regional title bouts in his last 14 bouts since 2007. Berto found the World Boxing Association Welterweight title, and winning that belt made him a target for Floyd, the current WBC Welterweight and WBA Super Welterweight world title holder, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 12, 2015 at the MGM Grand.

 

Berto, age 31, 30-3 with 23 knockouts, may finally be the one who takes Floyd, age 38, 48-0, to town. A look inside Berto’s record show he lost a 12 round decision to Victor Ortiz, whom Floyd knocked out. Floyd almost got caught in his first bout with Marcos Rene Maidana. Age, not ability, could make an aging money Floyd’s bout with Andre Berto far more difficult in reality for him than anyone expects. Floyd is predicted to win by 12 round unanimous decision. The Berto bout will not be easier than his bout with Manny Pacquiao.

 

Given these factors, one wonders how Floyd would have fared in a 147 pound world title bout against Sugar Ray Leonard. If Leonard had fought Floyd in his prime during his 1979 to 1982 period when he was in his world championship prime at this weight, the odds say Leonard would have beaten Floyd impressively by 15 round decision. Leonard’s work rate, speed and timing would have pressured Floyd into backing up on the defensive. Further, Leonard’s chances of stopping Floyd in the late rounds in a 15 round world title bout would have been very good! Floyd, despite his considerable talent, is not a 15 round fighter.

 

There very clearly are major differences in era when making the scope of comparison.

The major factor of assessment comparison is who catches whom and when. Andre Berto is a good fighter but not perfect. He is catching Floyd at a time when Floyd is at his oldest. However this does not mean Floyd is at a fade point in his abilities. Floyd has to train harder at his age, and has a reputation for over training. Floyd is putting on a show, and Berto would like to cash in and close the show on Floyd at the same time. This will never happen. Berto does have the best chance of getting lucky and outpointing Floyd than any other Floyd opponent, given the point on the spectrum Berto will find him. Floyd’s fiftieth opponent, if he does fight again after Berto, more likely it could be against an Amir Khan or a Danny Garcia type. Floyd is less likely to fight a Keith Thurman or a Shawn Porter, today’s young and dominant ‘other’ champions of the 147 pound weight class who have the ring skills and savvy to outclass and outpoint him in a twelve round world title bout now.

Share

COMMENTS

COMMENTS