Is Floyd considered "prime" or declining?

[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.