Ring Magazine Writer’s Predictions For Floyd Mayweather Against Five All-Time Welterweight Greats

Ex-boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather would only have beaten two of five welterweight legends in hypothetical dream fights, according to Ring Magazine.

The 42-year-old American retired with an undefeated record of 50-0 after his blockbuster clash with Conor McGregor in 2017.

But before Mayweather picked up victories over Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao, Ring Magazine's Gavin Evans attempted to break down his chances in mega-clashes with other legends.

Mayweather was placed in five fights against Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Kid Gavilan, Sugar Ray Leonard and Charley Burley.

Evans predicted that Robinson would have been put through a "tough fight," but he said that his "aggression and work rate" would have secured him a unanimous decision victory over Mayweather.

According to Evans, Mayweather would have stood a much better chance against Armstrong.

Armstrong's speed, pressure, work rate and ability would have caused "headaches" for Mayweather, but they backed the "master in-fighter" American to "win a fairly close but clear decision."

Mayweather's only other victory would come against Gavilan, which would come by way of split decision.

Evans believes the fight would "depend on which version [of Gavilan or Mayweather] turned up," mainly due to the two fighters' different boxing styles.

Mayweather is one of the few fighters that could have matched Sugar Ray's "speed, reflexes and footwork, and surpass his defensive skills," according to Evans.

But Evans backed Sugar Ray to win down to the fact that he was "bigger, busier, more aggressive and carried significantly more power."

Finally, Evans claimed that Mayweather would be 'dropped' en route to a loss against Burley on points.

Burley was handed the edge in the fight because he would have matched "Mayweather's defensive brilliance and hit significantly harder."

Posted below are Evans' five predictions for the fights with Mayweather.

Floyd Mayweather vs Sugar Ray Robinson: verdict -- unanimous decision victory for Robinson.

Floyd Mayweather vs Henry Armstrong: verdict -- decision victory for Mayweather.

Floyd Mayweather vs Kid Gavilan: verdict -- split decision victory for Mayweather.

Floyd Mayweather vs Sugar Ray Leonard: verdict -- unanimous decision victory for Leonard.

Floyd Mayweather vs Burley: verdict -- decision victory for Burley.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Boxing News, Boxing, Floyd Mayweather

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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