JEFF MAYWEATHER: “FLOYD IS PHYSICALLY STRONGER BY FAR…I THINK HE BEATS GUERRERO HOWEVER HE CHOOSES”
April 10th, 2013 | by Scott Smith
“Floyd can go toe to toe with Gurerreo if he wants to and I think he will. He’s not a puncher at all, so I don’t know why he thinks Floyd has to run from him. Floyd is physically stronger by far and can stay in his face and still make him miss. He’s not going to overpower Floyd. If he thinks that, he’s sadly mistaken…I think he beats Guerrero however he chooses. First of all, if he thinks he’s going to beat Floyd with that amateurish style of just pressing, throwing wild punches, and dirty tactics, that won’t work. I think Berto just fought the wrong fight. When he boxed, he did well, but fought off the ropes too much. But Floyd can fight off the ropes if he chooses to. Floyd is the most accurate puncher in the history of the sport and Gurerro has no defense, so Floyd is going to have an easy time finding him. Floyd’s stronger, faster, smarter, better on offense and defense; only advantage Gurerro has is that he’s taller,” stated world-class trainer Jeff Mayweather, who gave us an update from training camp as Floyd Mayweather continues to put in hard work for his upcoming May 4 return to the ring when he takes on top challenger Robert Guerrero. Check out what else he had to say!
SS: Under a month to go until Floyd takes on Guerrero. What is the mood and atmosphere around the camp?
JM: The atmosphere is great. Typical Mayweather camp; very crowded, lots of people wanting to get a peek any way they can, and Floyd is looking awesome as always, extremely strong, and timing is impeccable. He’s a surgeon in the ring too.
SS: Floyd said this is his longest training camp. Is there any particular reason for that?
JM: Yes, he’s not getting any younger and the fighters he’s fighting are much younger, so he has to give himself a mental edge in his own mind. No one works harder, but with age comes wisdom, so it’s a personal mental ploy.
SS: Much has been said about Roger’s role in this camp. How is Roger?
JM: Roger is fine. Roger is actually doing what he always has with Floyd Jr. He’s working the mitts as he always has. I think the rumor got blown out of context.
SS: With yourself, Floyd Sr., and Roger working together, has Roger played his usual part in camp or has he took a step back and let Floyd Sr. run things?
JM: Yes, exactly what you just said is taking place. Floyd Sr. is more vocal, so he will more than likely be the voice of the corner.
SS: Are both Floyd and Roger going to be working in the corner on fight night, or is that still undecided?
JM: Yes, Roger and Floyd will both be working the corner; that’s for sure.
SS: I saw your statement about Floyd looking great in training against bigger guys. Approximately how many rounds has Floyd sparred up to now?
JM: I’m not sure how many rounds Floyd has done and Floyd doesn’t do rounds like any other fighter. Floyd does five to seven-minute rounds and he does as many as he feels on that day, so it’s hard to say how many.
SS: What have you made of Guerrero and his father’s trash talk?
JM: Gurerreo’s dad is loving the spotlight and eating up his 15 minutes of fame because he’s never been under the microscope like this, so he’s eating this moment in time up and there is nothing wrong with that. Big Floyd Sr. always talks trash to get under one’s skin, and obviously it’s working. No one is paying money to see those two fight, so at the end of the day, that’s all it is; just talk.
SS: Guerrero has come out and asked Floyd to stand toe to toe, which Floyd has done in his last few fights. When you spoke with FightHype previously, you said you don’t think Guerrero gives Floyd trouble. Do you think Floyd wins the fight easier if he boxes and moves or if he stays in the pocket and exchanges?
JM: Floyd can go toe to toe with Gurerreo if he wants to and I think he will. He’s not a puncher at all, so I don’t know why he thinks Floyd has to run from him. Floyd is physically stronger by far and can stay in his face and still make him miss. He’s not going to overpower Floyd. If he thinks that, he’s sadly mistaken. Floyd is going to make whatever adjustments he needs to get the job done. Floyd is the smartest fighter on the planet hands down and will dissect him like a science project on fight night.
SS: Guerrero’s aggressive style against Berto worked, but Floyd is on another level to Berto. What in particular do you think Guerrero will struggle with if he came out and fought like he did against Berto?
JM: I think he beats Guerrero however he chooses. First of all, if he thinks he’s going to beat Floyd with that amateurish style of just pressing, throwing wild punches, and dirty tactics, that won’t work. I think Berto just fought the wrong fight. When he boxed, he did well, but fought off the ropes too much. But Floyd can fight off the ropes if he chooses to. Floyd is the most accurate puncher in the history of the sport and Gurerro has no defense, so Floyd is going to have an easy time finding him. Floyd’s stronger, faster, smarter, better on offense and defense; only advantage Gurerro has is that he’s taller. I’ve never seen anyone win with height. Fights are won by skills and Floyd’s skills by comparison is on a completely different level.