By Chester Rivers: It has been one of the most impenetrable defenses in the history of boxing. 46 men have tried 4 has come close but, all have failed to find a jink in Floyd Mayweather Jr’s armor. Many look to futuristic methods of training and styles of fighting but, the answer to solve one of boxing’s toughest riddles is actually on the surface of it’s history staring us directly in the face.
What are the two things Sandy Saddler, Jake LaMotta and Roberto Duran all have in common? Give Up? All three men have wins over the slickest fighters of their time and they were all considered dirty fighters who was not afraid to bend the rules and rough house their opponents.
Sandy Saddler defeated the great Willie Pep 3 out of 4 times with each of his victories coming within the distance. Pep won the first meeting by decision. Saddler knocked out Pep in the fourth round of their second meeting. In the third meeting Pep suffered a dislocated shoulder in the ninth round. Video footage shows at the end of the ninth round Saddler had Pep’s left arm pinned to his body and gave it an awkward jerk when Pep started writhing in pain. Their fourth meeting is considered one of boxing’s most fouled and dirtiest title fights. This fight was a Saddler style fight and resulted in another Saddler victory. Saddler has been rank in Ring magazine top 10 greatest punchers, top 10 greatest of all time and the top dirtiest fighters.
Jake LaMotta is best known for being the first man to defeat the great Sugar Ray Robinson. Although he lost 5 of their 6 meetings the second fight, a LaMotta victory, is his legacy. In their first meeting LaMotta rough housed Robinson all fight long. He would lead with his head and bull rush Robinson to the ropes. While on the ropes LaMotta would hold Robinson in place then punch and he would also hit Robinson on the thigh to slow his mobility. The strategy worked and LaMotta earned the victory.
When Roberto Duran defeated Sugar Ray Leonard he simply beat him up. During the build up to the fight Duran disrespected Leonard and his spouse Juanita. This infuriated Leonard and got him off his game plan. During the fight Leonard would stand in front of Duran and engaged in a brawl. Duran would Bull rush in and attack Leonard. Duran would separate from Leonard using his elbows and often lead with his head. In their second meeting, Leonard used his mobility to frustrate Duran who could not get to him. Duran was so frustrated he uttered the now infamous “No Mas”. Like Saddler, Duran’s name appear on many all time great and all time meanest list.
In four of Mayweather Jr’s toughest victories, Castillo, De La Hoya, Cotto and Maidana, all four men rough housed the champ. They all kept Floyd pinned against the ropes and threw several shots to body with many straying a little low. Floyd complained after all four fights about the tactics of these opponents. Fighting Mayweather Jr can’t be pretty but ugly and dirty. Maidana’s trainer could be heard instructing his fighter to be dirty and encouraging Maidana to keep it up. Mayweather, like so many of the greats, is uncomfortable being taken out his environment of punching and moving. Mayweather is a technician in the ring. He relies heavily on his knowledge of boxing and the traditions of his craft. In order to defeat Mayweather you need not look towards the future instead take a look at the past because you might learn something.
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