Is Mayweather Jr. the greatest defensive boxer of all time?

Question

The guy does not get hit, its ridiculous!

Answer 1

hit and dont get hit, the greatest tactic in boxing, says it all really, the guy was outstanding, i really thought ricky would do it, but it became obvious after a few rounds not only had he stepped up in weight he had stepped up in class also, credit to mayweather, still dont like him, but have total respect and appreciation of his quality

Answer 2

To answer this question.Floyd is the greatset p4p this era. Some say he should move up.Well he's moved up from 130# and is light to be fighting as a welterweight. Inspite of all his accomplishments there are still detracters. His list of opponents should be what ranks him among the best.He has fouht fighters in their prime and some that would be considered still in their prime at the time of the match. What happened against Hatton was a showing of how a true skilled snd polished boxer is suppose to adapt. Mayweather should have answered all his critics alas it has only spurned more crticism. He took the pressure endured the first couple of rounds which I thought hatton was on top. Yet he did what greats do changed and adapted his skills to achieve what his intent was. Now everyone screams for him to fight Cotto.Is it for a great match or just to see if he can be beaten.I'd say that if hed fight Cotto at 154#. He would not be a smart man.Should Cotto come down I'd love to see it.Mayweather should be allowed to take time off and enjoy his kids and his accomplishments of 07'.

Answer 3

One can make a case for Pretty Boy, an excellent all around fighter.

Willie Pep? From all indications, Will O brought some skills to the table. Remember though, Sandy Saddler beat him every time except once.

Saoul Mamby was pretty slick but couldn't punch, same with Pep. At least Floyd will bang with 'em.

Hector Camacho could get get out of the way, so could Howard Davis.

Ali to me was slick early on, but later gained the reputation of being able to take a shot, rather than avoiding them. JImmy Young was a good defensive fighter too.

I'll tell you a guy who doesn't get enough credit for his defense, Bernard Hopkins. When was the last time he was even nicked up? Knocked out? Taken a beat down? Granted, his fights are tough to watch and he brings some questionable tactics to the ring, but he can avoid a punch with the best of them.

Answer 4

He is a good defensive fighter.
BUT he is also one of the most boring and hated guys in the sport.

Mayweathers fight formula:
- play "defense " for the first 5 - 7 rounds.
- Let the other guy get frustrated/annoyed/tired
- come out and hit the other guy with a couple big hits
- claim best in the world pfp via cheap knockout/decision.

Mayweather won't fight anyone who won't play into that formula. Hence undefeated.

No wonder he said he is bored with the sport after the Hatton fight.

Answer 5

Best defensive fighter of all time? Probably, he could get that nod.

I find it interesting that it took two different trainers to make Floyd Jr. though. Floyd Senior taught him his defense...but honestly Floyd Sr's defense was lackluster. Roger taught him his offense...and Roger's career was one where he saw the canvas ALOT because of his lack of defense. Put all the knowledge together and you have Frankenstein.

Between the two of them they have made a style that is going to be recreated alot from Michigan. And after Floyd, there will probably be alot of people that will seek out Roger to train them. Or Floyd himself.

I could put Floyd in any era and see him managing wins from top tier opponents. He just has this way of raising slightly higher than the level of his opposition.

Answer 6

Wow, greatest defensive boxer of all time... I think its possible, and if he is not he is one of the top 3 greatest defensive boxers of all time.

I think you have to consider the likes of Sweet Pea, Pep, and a nod to Ali (20 years boxing and to the best of my knowledge only Cooper put him on the canvas).

PBF looked good after the fight, and he was a lot more offense and a little less defense than usual. From the 4th or 5th round on he was in the best form of his entire career.

And to all the goofballs saying he runs and ducks and blah blah blah... That is EXACTLY what defense is about- not getting hit. Sometimes its not the prettiest boxing to watch, but the question was not about exciting boxing, it was about best defensive prowess. And Saturday's fight was a very exciting one to watch, especially every time Hatton took a punch right on the button.

Answer 7

I may not like to watch half his matches, but I'll have to agree. The fact that he has a decent offense in his arsenal too makes him even more potent. I say, a good defensive fighter with a decent offense is better than an excellent offensive fighter with no defense at all.

Answer 8

He is one of the best for sure. Let me give you my list of top 5 fighters in order 1. Roy Jones Jr. 2.Ali 3. Pernell Whitaker 4.Floyed Mayweather5.James Tony

Answer 9

weather is a all round good boxer. there was alot of hope from us uk people for hatton. he is a brawler weather is clever power speed agility vs hattons power.

weather no marks and didn't look tired he let hatton do the work defended then picked his punch when hatton was tired

to me that is good tactics and it will take a great fighter to beat weather.

Answer 10

That's because all he does is duck, the whole way throughout the fight he was just ducking. How is that defense, Hatton cannot hit him if he is ducking because the only place to hit him is in the back of the head.
He threw himself between the ropes and Hatton hit the rope and got a point deducted for it.
Pathetic.