One month out and Martinez is 176 pounds....meanwhile Williams is at 162

[Taeth]

Killersheep, Baldomir was the linear champ at 147, As was Castillo at 135, and Floyd won the linear championship at 130 by beating Hernandez and Corrales. Who knows where the linear WW belt is now, I believe Berto holds the belt after Floyd gave it up, but Cotto sort became the official WW champ after he beat Mosley, then Margarito then Mosley again, and then Floyd beat him.

Hatton was better at 140 perhaps, but perhaps not, he looked bad going back down against Urango, and honestly southpaws give him a lot of trouble, I think it was more of Collazo being a really good southpaw then Hatton being any worse. His style has no defense against the right hook counter punch when he comes in. Also Mayweather isn't as good at 147 as he was at 130, how can he? He is older, he bulked up, and he has way less power p4p than he used to. He has made up for it by continually improving his game, but Hatton was far closer to his best weight than Floyd was, and the heavier they went the more of advantage Hatton would have because less speed and more strength would play into his favor. At 140 Floyd had way faster feet and would have probably beaten Hatton easier. Also size makes your chin a little better, and those right hands he landed against HAtton might have stopped him earlier at a lighter weight.

I think the only brush against Marquez at 147 is that he fought Mayweather, after watching Adamek's run at heavyweight, I honestly think Marquez would do way better against any other welterweight including Pacquiao than he did against Mayweather, and Floyd barely had a height advantage. How many times have you seen a guy use a one inch height advantage so effectively? That isn't like Klitschko facing a guy 4 inches shorter. Also FLoyd didn't use a lot of range, actually watch how close his upper body was to Marquez, he uses deceptive stances to make it seem like he is farther away because his base is so wide, but he was actually quite close to Marquez the entire fight. It was just he was beating Marquez to the punch time after time, that is speed not size that he was using. It was very similar to how he fought Mosley.

Paul Williams isn't worth mentioning, Mosley only didn't fight Paul because he wanted a fight with the money makers and known names in the sport like Mayweather and Pacquiao or Berto who has gotten more attention than Paul has. Paul is a decent fighter, but nothing special he was easily outboxed by Quintana, he is a tall sloppy guy, who can't use his range to save his life. IMO his only impressive fight was against Margarito. WInky was way past it and hadn't fought in forever, Cintron looked pretty good against WIlliams until he got hurt, I felt Martinez already beat Williams, and Paul landed a good punch on Quintana, but that was unusual and perhaps lucky on his part, becaue Quintana was clearly faster and a better boxer who had no problems with his height. FIghting one guy in Paul Williams doesn't define you as a fighter. I think the people who really know the sport know that he is no Thomas Hearns. People just see a physical freak, and forget about how it's packaged. He reminds me of the Lesnar of the welterweight division.

[Rantcatrat]

Killersheep, Baldomir was the linear champ at 147, As was Castillo at 135, and Floyd won the linear championship at 130 by beating Hernandez and Corrales. Who knows where the linear WW belt is now, I believe Berto holds the belt after Floyd gave it up, but Cotto sort became the official WW champ after he beat Mosley, then Margarito then Mosley again, and then Floyd beat him.

Hatton was better at 140 perhaps, but perhaps not, he looked bad going back down against Urango, and honestly southpaws give him a lot of trouble, I think it was more of Collazo being a really good southpaw then Hatton being any worse. His style has no defense against the right hook counter punch when he comes in. Also Mayweather isn't as good at 147 as he was at 130, how can he? He is older, he bulked up, and he has way less power p4p than he used to. He has made up for it by continually improving his game, but Hatton was far closer to his best weight than Floyd was, and the heavier they went the more of advantage Hatton would have because less speed and more strength would play into his favor. At 140 Floyd had way faster feet and would have probably beaten Hatton easier. Also size makes your chin a little better, and those right hands he landed against HAtton might have stopped him earlier at a lighter weight.

I think the only brush against Marquez at 147 is that he fought Mayweather, after watching Adamek's run at heavyweight, I honestly think Marquez would do way better against any other welterweight including Pacquiao than he did against Mayweather, and Floyd barely had a height advantage. How many times have you seen a guy use a one inch height advantage so effectively? That isn't like Klitschko facing a guy 4 inches shorter. Also FLoyd didn't use a lot of range, actually watch how close his upper body was to Marquez, he uses deceptive stances to make it seem like he is farther away because his base is so wide, but he was actually quite close to Marquez the entire fight. It was just he was beating Marquez to the punch time after time, that is speed not size that he was using. It was very similar to how he fought Mosley.

Paul Williams isn't worth mentioning, Mosley only didn't fight Paul because he wanted a fight with the money makers and known names in the sport like Mayweather and Pacquiao or Berto who has gotten more attention than Paul has. Paul is a decent fighter, but nothing special he was easily outboxed by Quintana, he is a tall sloppy guy, who can't use his range to save his life. IMO his only impressive fight was against Margarito. WInky was way past it and hadn't fought in forever, Cintron looked pretty good against WIlliams until he got hurt, I felt Martinez already beat Williams, and Paul landed a good punch on Quintana, but that was unusual and perhaps lucky on his part, becaue Quintana was clearly faster and a better boxer who had no problems with his height. FIghting one guy in Paul Williams doesn't define you as a fighter. I think the people who really know the sport know that he is no Thomas Hearns. People just see a physical freak, and forget about how it's packaged. He reminds me of the Lesnar of the welterweight division.

I thought Shane was a real challenge, but I was a little bit thrown off by Shane's weak performance against Mora. I can't lie. I thought it was a comeback fight to put him in the mix for aPacquiao fight. It was strange he looked so bad against Mora who I don't rate highly. Makes you wonder how much was left in the tank when he fought Floyd.

Listen, Floyd looked spectacular against Marquez with his defensive posture and his speed, but was that surprising? The thing is I would have given Floyd more credit for fighting Cotto, Berto, Williams at 147, Martinez at 154, etc. than fighting Marquez at 147. We can agree to disagree. It is all good. It's an old argument that I'm tired of to be honest. The bottom line is I would like Floyd to face more challenges. I just want to see Floyd fight the best and show off the skills you speak of. Prove beyond a doubt that he is one of the greatest ever. Why wouldn't I? Do me a favor, answer me this, who do you want to see Floyd fight next besides Pacquiao?

[Taeth]

I would like to see Floyd fight Cotto most, I honestly think Cotto would present the most interesting challenge because IMO Cotto was out boxing Pacquiao early, and out timed MOsley for the most part, I know he doesn't have the durability anymore, but I think Floyd's lack of power would make this a fight where Cotto could fight more like he used to. THen again based on his Foreman fight, and even before that I think Floyd would handle him easily.

AFter that I would like to see Floyd fight the guy who wins the 140 arguement or Berto. I am not saying I think Berto is better than Williams or Martinez, but I think it's a more interesting fight because honestly I see nothing WIlliams or Martinez could offer to trouble Floyd. At least Berto has that insane speed and combination punching that he lets loose from time to time.

[No Contest]

Teeth proved my point, still no respect for Williams.....At least Williams is willing to fight people to find out who is better rather than just saying it. Nobody wants to call him out for a reason, his workrate and reach are enough to give anyone problems.. TBH he is doing Martinez a favor by rematching.

[Rantcatrat]

I would like to see Floyd fight Cotto most, I honestly think Cotto would present the most interesting challenge because IMO Cotto was out boxing Pacquiao early, and out timed MOsley for the most part, I know he doesn't have the durability anymore, but I think Floyd's lack of power would make this a fight where Cotto could fight more like he used to. THen again based on his Foreman fight, and even before that I think Floyd would handle him easily.

AFter that I would like to see Floyd fight the guy who wins the 140 arguement or Berto. I am not saying I think Berto is better than Williams or Martinez, but I think it's a more interesting fight because honestly I see nothing WIlliams or Martinez could offer to trouble Floyd. At least Berto has that insane speed and combination punching that he lets loose from time to time.

I disagree. I would rather see Floyd fight Martinez or Williams than Bradley or Alexander. What has Berto done at all that is really that remarkable?

[Gandalf]

Cotto, a man that has looked less and less impressive in recent bouts. And Berto a man that has handspeed but punches and holds like John Ruiz and never seems to get any better. And that's the best Taeth has in line for Mayweather? For sure, it sounds like a way to stay unbeaten, but to be actually tested? Williams and Martinez are FAR tastier. Both bigger men with their own unique challenges. Williams has that output, resilience and size (though he doesn't really use his reach) and Martinez has has athleticism, size and speed. Both men have been on the up, while Cotto is struggling and Berto treading water.

I would like to see Floyd fight bigger men with a run of results and opponents behind them. Berto isn't active or developing and Cotto seems to be on the slide. Williams and Martinez are far more exciting fights for Floyd to be in IMO.

[bkolz]

williams and martinez are exactly the kind of defensively incompetent hacks that would make floyd mayweather jr look like the second coming of sugar ray robinson.

pacquiao is the only one with a decent chance

[Rantcatrat]

williams and martinez are exactly the kind of defensively incompetent hacks that would make floyd mayweather jr look like the second coming of sugar ray robinson.

pacquiao is the only one with a decent chance

how is pacquiao good defensively?