Robinson vs Mayweather
ESPN’s internet boxing site has an interesting article on it today, about a “dream fight” between two of the Great Sport’s all-time best welterweight champions. In it, several of ESPN’s boxing experts discuss a “super fight” between Sugar Ray Robinson and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Such fantasy fights are, of course, about what would likely have happened if two men, from different generations, had fought when each were at their peak?
For the article, see:
http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/9330198/floyd-mayweather-jr-vs-sugar-ray-robinson
I think it might be fun to discuss this “dream fight” here on my favorite sports forum. I’ll start, by writing my thoughts, in hopes that others here will contribute, as well. In past years, participants on the Democratic Underground’s sports forum have discussed similar topics, such as history’s best heavyweight champions, and a dream fight between the great Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali.
In general, I am probably best described as rigid in my way of thinking about such things. I usually only think about fights that are actually going to, or are likely to happen. (Also, I only read factual books by habit, not having read any work of fiction since 1975.) But the ESPN article sparked my imagination, in large part because in discussions with my son on how someone might possibly defeat Mayweather, I’ve used the example of Sugar Ray.
It has been over 60 years since anyone has seen Robinson fight as a welterweight. His later careeer was in the middleweight division. And, while there is film of Ray in the middleweight division, none exists of his at welterweight. Now, that’s a damn shame, and for many reasons. First, Ray was definitely at his best at welterweight. Though he had numerous great fights at middleweight, and the films of those is awe-inspiring, he was past his prime.
Ray held the welterweight title once (1946-51), and the middleweight crown five times between 1951-60. The reason he held the middleweight title five times was because he lost it four times in the ring, and was then stripped of it for inactivity the last time. Robinson fought at a time when boxing had eight weight divisions (there are 17 today), and one champion in each division (there are four commission’s “titles” in each today). Thus, Ray’s beating 14 opponents who held world titles is distinct from Mayweather’s beating 18 opponents who have held titles. Likewise, Robinson’s six titles is distinct from Floyd’s eight.
Mayweather is undefeated in 44 pro fights, with 26 knockouts; he was 84-6 in the amateurs. Ray retired in 1965 with a record of 173-19-6 (108 knockout wins, 1 lose); he had been 85-0 as an amateur. (As an amateur, Ray scored 69 knockouts, with 40 coming in the first round.) However, it is worth noting that Ray had first retired in 1952, with a 131-3-2 record, before making a comeback three years later. Boxers fought much more frequently then, and for far less money. Ray returned to the ring, because he was broke.
At 5’ 11’ tall, Ray had a 3-inch advantage over Floyd. That is important -- or would have been, had they fought -- because Ray knew how to use his height. However, Floyd’s 72” reach was just a half-inch less than Ray’s, and Mayweather is a master at exploiting distances in the ring.
I believe that Ray hit harder. He was a combination-puncher, who had a superb body-attack. Floyd’s hands are faster. Both had/have very good footwork, and were/are capable of fighting coming forward, going side-to-side, or moving backwards.
Both men have defeated almost everyone in the welterweight division. Ray refused to fight Charlie Burley, and Floyd did not fight Manny Pacquiao. However, Ray never fought a welterweight as good as Floyd, and Mayweather has never fought a welterweight as good as Robinson.
In a very real sense, both Ray and Floyd were not only the very best welterweights of their era, but one would have to search the history of the sport to find anyone besides Sugar Ray Leonard that might have beaten them in their primes.
Robinson competed in the era of 15-round title fights, with weigh-ins the morning of the bout. Floyd fights in the era of 12-round title fights, with weigh-ins the day before the bout. Still, both were highly-trained athletes, who tended to be at their peak at their fight weights, and not known for having trouble cutting weight, or gaining weight between the weigh-in and fight.
I would favor Ray to win by decision. He tended to throw more punches per round than Floyd, and that provides an advantage on the scorecards. However, Floyd hasn’t been pushed to where he has needed to throw more punches than he does; hence, one could argue that he would respond to Ray’s activity by increasing his own. Also, Robinson was not nearly as talented defensively as Mayweather. And if there was ever a welterweight smart enough to exploit Robinson’s weaknesses, it would surely be Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
What do you think?
= new reply since forum marked as read
10th or 11th.
But what a fight it would have been! 
