Floyd against boxers.

[VG_Addict]

How does he do against another pure boxer?

[greynotsoold]

What/who do you consider to be a pure boxer?

[p4pking]

I never really quite know what this means either. People often say pure boxer to describe a guy with a good jab who can't fight inside, as if there is somehow less skill involved there or something. How would Floyd do against a guy as skilled and well rounded as himself, with the same ability to adapt? Well, who would that have been in his career exactly?

[greynotsoold]

I never really quite know what this means either. People often say pure boxer to describe a guy with a good jab who can't fight inside, as if there is somehow less skill involved there or something. How would Floyd do against a guy as skilled and well rounded as himself, with the same ability to adapt? Well, who would that have been in his career exactly?

Theoretically, how would he do with the James Toney that fought at 168? Billy Graham was a 'pure' boxer at 47; how would that play out? Del Flanagan?

[VG_Addict]

I mean, it's not like Floyd has only fought sluggers.

Canelo and Cotto were both boxer-punchers.

[VG_Addict]

I never really quite know what this means either. People often say pure boxer to describe a guy with a good jab who can't fight inside, as if there is somehow less skill involved there or something. How would Floyd do against a guy as skilled and well rounded as himself, with the same ability to adapt? Well, who would that have been in his career exactly?

Well then, with that definition, Floyd isn't a pure boxer, because he can definitely fight inside.

I don't think there are many, if any, people in or around Floyd's weight class who are as well-rounded and adaptable as he is.

I've heard people say this, and I think it fits: "Floyd is playing chess, while everyone else is playing checkers".

[jon09]

Would you classify JMM and Genaro Hernandez as boxers? If so he handled himself quite well against them and Canelo.

[VG_Addict]

Would you classify JMM and Genaro Hernandez as boxers? If so he handled himself quite well against them and Canelo.

I already said this, but I would consider Canelo a boxer-puncher.

[mikeeod]

Would you classify JMM and Genaro Hernandez as boxers? If so he handled himself quite well against them and Canelo.

JMM was/is more of a counterpuncher than boxer. Hernandez is a great example of a pure boxer though. Floyd beat Genaro very badly to win his first title, but to be fair that was Genaro's last fight and by his own admission he was done and not fully interested.

Canelo isn't really much of a boxer either, in my opinion. I feel like pure boxers are guys who box behind a jab, and boxer punchers are guys who do that but add the threat of one punch power (Tommy Hearns). Canelo is a very good counterpuncher, but I wouldn't consider him a boxer. My examples of fighters/styles are:

Boxer: Pernell Whitaker, Larry Holmes, Muhammed Ali, Paul Spadafora, Stevie Johnston

Boxer/Puncher: Tommy Hearns, Oscar de la Hoya, Lennox Lewis, Junior Jones, Kennedy McKinney, (prime) Tito Trinidad

Pressure Fighter: Julio Ceasar Chavez, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Kostya Tszyu, Jose Luis Castillo, Wayne Mcollough, (prime) Antonio Margarito, Paul Williams

Counter puncher: Canelo Alvarez, JMM, Austin Trout, Lara, Quintana

Athletic Phenom: Roy Jones jr., Manny Paquaiou

Puncher: Tyson, Foreman, Julian Jackson, Randall Bailey, Nigel Benn

All around/multi-dimensional: BHOP, Floyd, Hagler, Duran, Leonard, Evander, James Toney

There are plenty of other fighters who fit into each category, with varying degrees of success due to athleticism, mental toughness, luck, dedication...etc. Back to the original question though, Floyd does well against any style, and it will take a truly great effort or a horrific night (for Floyd) to beat Floyd. Against pure boxers Floyd will use speed, angles, counterpunching, feints...etc. to make the opponent fight his fight. Floyd is extremely versatile and would be hard for anyone in history to beat.