Is Floyd considered "prime" or declining?

[JonesJrMayweather]

Well he's 33, and I wonder if he loses will people say that he isnt in his prime. Because 33 is getting up there in the sport of boxing and most with the exception of BHOP, and mosley, are noticeably fading around 33-34. So is there a possibility that one might suggest that floyd got old overnight?

Another things is, before many try to dispute the fact the shane is old, and nowhere close to his prime...think about whether or not floyd will be considered as good at in five years as he is now...

[Jimmy G-Force]

Well he's 33, and I wonder if he loses will people say that he isnt in his prime. Because 33 is getting up there in the sport of boxing and most with the exception of BHOP, and mosley, are noticeably fading around 33-34. So is there a possibility that one might suggest that floyd got old overnight?

Another things is, before many try to dispute the fact the shane is old, and nowhere close to his prime...think about whether or not floyd will be considered as good at in five years as he is now...

I think Mayweather was born 'Prime'. There has never been any evidence to suggest his ridiculous talent is on the decline, nor do I beleive we will ever see an anything less than 100% Mayweather. The guy is a pugilistic phenomenon. He has the kind of inner pride that will always ensure whenever he fights he will never be anything less than prime.

[Hornfinger]

Well look at his last fight. No sign of deterioration at all. I personally think he could have ended that fight anytime. I think he was more focused on doing 12 rounds and also making marquez look like a more credible opponant than what he was. Also Floyd is looking more muscular and stronger these days too.

I agree with Jimmy, although all it takes is one punch, I just can't see him being hit with that one punch at the minute.

[blegit]

People decline at different rates. It depends what your crutch is. Mayweather's ability is founded on reflexes and speed. Those are the first to go. But there is no sign that either of these attributes are on the decline. He may be on the tail end of this prime but Mayweather is still in his prime. Extending or maximizing your prime I think a lot has to do with Mayweather always staying fit, active, and not having any real bad habits to his body even in retirement.

[Jody Lane]

I tink that the prime Mayweather is indeed over. The long inactivity has hurt him. The speed and reflexes may seem intact against a smaller older opponent, but against Mosley it will tell. Yes Mosley is older but I believe that Mosley is one of those wonders that overall had a greater ability than Mayweather in terms of ring generalship and power. Lets face it, Money didn't look all that dominating against an old Oscar. I think the fight with Mosley will be like Ali-Frazier I. MOney will try to dance his way in and out and Mosley will grind him down for a narrow decision.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

Well he's 33, and I wonder if he loses will people say that he isnt in his prime. Because 33 is getting up there in the sport of boxing and most with the exception of BHOP, and mosley, are noticeably fading around 33-34. So is there a possibility that one might suggest that floyd got old overnight?

Another things is, before many try to dispute the fact the shane is old, and nowhere close to his prime...think about whether or not floyd will be considered as good at in five years as he is now...

Neither.

The 1st thing I looked for in his fight against Marquez was any drop in that blinding velocity of his punches and tbh I felt sick to my stomach the instant Mayweather threw his 1st left hook... I think the lay off has worked really well for Floyd... It just amazes me how naturally gifted he is.

[ryanman]

He is still bang in his prime. We can guess that maybe his prime is due to end soon, but we'd be doing just that - guessing. So far we have seen no evidence. He seems to be getting better if anything.

[Manuel "Chubby" Medina]

i believe Mayweather waz slightly slow against Marquez but that might have been ring rust...

[Truth]

Undoubtedly Prime,
He takes great care of his body, has a style which is meant for long careers and he fights sparingly and has never been punished in a fight I can think of

[HattonTheHammer]

he certainly hasnt done anything to suggest his in a decline.

floyds greatest performances were against corrales, gatti but he has upped his competition in recent years

id say neither

[Mar]

It's the same with all boxers....he's in his prime if he wins decline if he looses. Everyone floyd fights is great before hand. Then (fill in the excuse here) after.

[Taeth]

I think a skilled tactician like Floyd who does everything right for his body won't "age" physically the same way Leonard and Whitaker did. Guys like him and Hopkins train so hard and properly that they can still push themselves like younger men. I think Mayweather is a little slower than in his prime which was around 140 in terms of age. I also think at welterweight he is past his prime sizewise. People never seem to bring this up but Mayweather is a really small welterweight, and unlike Pacquiao he isn't a natural puncher who throws a million combinations. So is Mayweather past his prime? I would say no and that he has circumvented that issue because of his skill level and work ethic. However Floyd's style still relies a lot on reflexes, and it could hurt him if he faces a fast opponent in a couple of years(like Berto if he improves considerably). I'm only worried because Floyd has really stopped using lateral movement lately when his back is against the ropes and I think once he slows down just a bit he may be in trouble with that style. Hopkins had a similar shoulder roll, but he would always move his feet while making defensive maneuvers. I remember James Toney against Roy Jones, and I could in worst case scenario see Pacquiao doing something similar to Floyd.

[Gandalf]

I think any athlete starts to decline between the ages of 30-32 depending on how well you look after yourself, but I think it is quite possible to hide the physical slips with effective tools and strategies. I think Floyd is probably slightly past his physical best, but because his skill set is so accomplished, it hasn't shown; especially against a smaller man fighting 2 weight classes outside his usual weight. Obviously the Mosley fight will tell us more about where Floyd is really at.

[salty trunks]

I think Mayweather is past his physical peak but still leagues ahead of most in ability. I do believe his body is now more suited to being a true welterweight. Even against the likes of Oscar and Hatton Floyd didnt appear as physically big as he did against Marquez in his last fight. The time off has allowed him to mature more into a welterweight frame which might be a good thing against the better fighters at 147.

[The Promoter]

I'm not sure how you could say he's passed his prime. We would need to find somebody that could push him to the wall to see if he's still as good as the guy who absolutely wrecked Diego Corrales almost 9 years ago. The only area I've seen were he may have gotten a bit less speedy is is footwork as he tends to stand a bit more now. But his lack of footwork now may be due to his added weight or more basically because he whips everybody without having to work that hard. Again it's hard to say he's slipping until somebody can actually bring out his best in him as I thought Corrales did...