A matchup between Jose Napoles and Floyd Mayweather Jr. would be heaven for those who appreciate exquisite boxing. Photo / THE RING

This story originally appeared in the February 2010 issue of THE RING magazine. To subscribe to the magazine, please click here.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was supposed to face future hall of famer Manny Pacquiao but that fight fell through because of a disagreement over drug testing. Now, it appears Mayweather will fight Shane Mosley, another of this era’s best fighters. However, that fight is still three months away.

While we wait, just for fun, let’s pit Mayweather against 10 of the top welterweights of all time in imaginary fights and speculate how he might’ve fared. Ask Mayweather where he ranks, and he’ll tell you, “Numero uno.” He’ll look back at the Sugar Rays and think, “No doubt, I could have beaten ’em.” Put the same question to his army of media detractors, and they won’t even concede he’s the best of a bad bunch. For all his undoubted skills, they’ll say he runs scared of the danger men, and instead picks fights with little guys.

So where lies the truth? How would the 2010 version of “Money” Mayweather have fared against 10 of the best 147-pound division has had over the last century?

If we were to rank Mayweather on the basis of his welterweight record alone, he’d fall well short. He is 40-0 (25 knockouts) overall but at 147 or above he’s only 6-0. Sharmba Mitchell, Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatto and Juan Manuel Marquez are solid enough, but we’d feel more comfortable if names like Mosley, Cotto, Margarito, and Williams were also on his resume.

This is about ability rather than record, though, so let’s be clear: We’re talking about Mayweather as he is now, against, say, Henry Armstrong as he was in 1938. Given all the advances in terms of diet, training and technique, we’ll make one allowance for the old-timers: These fights will take place under the rules as of then rather than now – 15 rounds, six-ounce gloves, same-day weigh-in (although this wouldn’t worry Mayweather, who makes 147-pounds with ease).

The next problem is to pick our Top 10. If we were to rate them solely on what they achieved at welterweight, we’d need to include men from the turn of the 19th century such as Tommy Ryan and Joe Walcott. But that would stack things too strongly in Floyd’s favor. Unless you’re of the Nat Fleischer school, which views the early champions as men of a higher order, you’d have to concede that Mayweather would have too much in his arsenal of skills for anyone from that era. Take a look at fights from the 1900s on YouTube.com to see what we mean.

Even keeping it to the last 100 years, there are greats we have to leave out – Jack Britton, Ted ‘Kid’ Lewis, Barney Ross, Jimmy McLarnin, Luis Rodriguez, Roberto Duran, Pernell Whitaker, Felix Trinidad and De La Hoya.

Still, the list we’ve picked will give Mayweather plenty to think about. This is the second of two parts.

Note: The opinion of author Gavin Evans does not necessarily reflect that of the RingTV.com editors.

MAYWEATHER VS. JOSE NAPOLES

Credentials: Napoles turned professional in Cuba as a featherweight at 18 after a 114-1 amateur career. Four years later, in 1962, he relocated to Mexico City and made his mark as one of the world’s leading lightweights. But despite a string of victories over world rated lightweights and junior welterweights, he was denied a title shot. In 1968, Napoles moved to welterweight and eight months later knocked out Curtis Cokes in the 13th rounds to win the undisputed world title. Two months later, he repeated the trick, this time in 10 rounds, and then turned back the challenge of former world welterweight and middleweight champion Emile Griffith, dropping him in the third on his way to a wide decision victory. Napoles followed this with a 15-round TKO of Ernie Lopez, but lost his title on cuts in the fourth round against Billy Backus. He regained it six months later, pounding Backus to defeat in eight, and dominated his division for nearly five more years. His only loss in this period was to the far bigger Carlos Monzon (in seven rounds) when Napoles tried to win the world middleweight title. He finally lost the title in his 88th bout, at the age of 35, getting stopped in six by Britain’s John Stracey. In all, he won 15 of his 17 world title bouts.
Physical Equipment: Napoles stood 5-foot-7¾ (half an inch shorter than Mayweather) and had a 72-inch reach (the same as Mayweather). A year before winning the world title, he could still make lightweight, and he weighed in at 143-pounds when he beat Cokes, though he later filled out. In other words, he was a bit smaller than Mayweather.
Strengths And Weaknesses: Known as “Mantequilla” (butter) because of his smooth, relaxed boxing style, Napoles was beautiful to watch, a wonderful, flowing blend of superb boxing skill, chilling power and perfect timing and accuracy. Of his 81 victories, 55 came via knockout, several against bigger men. He was, however, small for the division (really, no more than a junior welterweight in his prime), not particularly strong and he had a tendency to cut (contributing to three of his defeats). His heavy-drinking lifestyle was a factor in his decline.
Outcome: This would be a magnificent bout for the connoisseur: two immensely gifted boxers testing their skills and power against each other. Mayweather is quicker than Napoles and is also a bit bigger and stronger, but “Mantequilla” hits harder. What gives Mayweather the edge, however, is his greater fitness and dedication – and Napoles’ fragile facial skin. After a close, tactical bout, look for Mayweather’s slashing punches to carve up the Cuban, forcing a 14th-round stoppage.

MAYWEATHER VS. CARMEN BASILIO

Credentials: Basilio is most famous for splitting two ferociously fought 15-rounders with Sugar Ray Robinson for the world middleweight title. But Basilio was at his best at welterweight, where he twice held the world title. He turned professional at 21 in 1948 and worked his way through the welterweight ranks as he learned his trade (mainly wins, but with a few losses and draws along the way). He hit his peak in his fifth professional year, with a win over Ike Williams and a win and a draw against previous conqueror Billy Graham. This secured him a title shot against Kid Gavilan, whom he dropped for a nine-count in the second round, only to lose a split decision. It took two years before Basilio was granted a second title shot, and he overcame a rocky start to stop Tony DeMarco in 12. In the rematch, the pattern was repeated in another thriller, with Basilio’s body attack draining De Marco, who was stopped in 12 again. The Canastota, N.Y., onion – a dubious decision against Mob-connected Johnny Saxton – but in the return, Basilio swarmed all over him, scoring a ninth round KO. He knocked Saxton out in two rounds in their rubber match, and seven months later outpointed Robinson to win the world middleweight title. Between 1952 and 1957, Basilio had a streak of 33 fights, and his only losses were a close one against the brilliant Gavilan and a suspicious one, twice avenged, against Saxton.
Physical Equipment: Basilio was a short-armed, broad-backed, chunky 5-foot-6¾ and had no trouble making 147-pounds. (When he won the middleweight title he bulked up to 153¾ pounds). Mayweather is 1¾ inches inch taller, with a 6-inch reach advantage.
Strengths And Weaknesses: Basilio was a swarming, heavy-handed brawler who was as gritty, courageous and strong as they come. He put immense pressure on opponents. Although he was better than adequate defensively, his main protection came through his incessant aggression. He was good at cutting off the ring and never stopped coming. This was aided by his immense stamina and an unusual capacity for absorbing punishment. He was an outstanding body puncher, but he lacked one-punch knockout power (25 stoppages in 79 bouts). Also, at the elite level, he took too many punches and marked up easily.
Outcome: Basilio was stronger than Mayweather and his non-stop aggression might cause some problems. The Italian-American would never give up, which would mean Mayweather would have an uncomfortable night. But in the end, Mayweather’s huge advantages in hand and foot speed and defensive skill would be too much for Basilio, who would mark up badly but make it to the final bell. Mayweather by unanimous decision.

MAYWEATHER VS. EMILE GRIFFITH

Credentials: Griffith turned professional in his adopted home of New York in 1958 and won his first 13 fights before dropping a split decision to middleweight Randy Sandy. Wins over leading welterweight contenders Florentino Fernandez, Jorge Jose Fernandez, Willie Toweel and Luis Rodriguez secured him a title shot, and he knocked out Benny “Kid” Paret in 13. Five months later, in September 1961, Paret regained the title via split decision. This set up the rubber match in March 1962. Griffith rose from a sixth-round knockdown to take control and in round 12 pinned Parent to the ropes and rained an unanswered barrage of blows to the head. Paret went into a coma and died 10 days later. Griffiths never got over the tragedy but fought seven times over the following year, including winning the junior middleweight title and making two more welterweight title defenses. In March 1963, he lost the welterweight title on points to the brilliantly elusive Rodriguez, but he soon regained it, again via split decision, to become welterweight champion for the third time. Over the next two years, he made four more defenses, including another split decision over Rodriguez. In 1966, he moved up to outpoint Dick Tiger for the middleweight title. After three years at middleweight, he dropped back down to welterweight. Weighing just 144¾ pounds, he challenged Napoles for the welterweight title but lost widely on points. In all, he had 13 world welterweight title bouts, winning 10.
Physical Equipment: At 5-foot-7¾, Griffith was half an inch shorter than Mayweather, but they had the same reach (72 inches). The broad-shouldered, deep-chested Virgin Islander looked like a middleweight but never had trouble making the welterweight limit, and weighed just 150¾ pounds when he won the 160-pound world title.
Strengths And Weaknesses: Griffith was essentially a boxer who used quick hands, sophisticated technique, and split-second timing to get results. He could work at any range and had an exceptionally tight defense. He was not a heavy puncher, but still stopped 40 percent of his welterweight opponents. Although twice knocked out at middleweight, he was never stopped at welterweight. He was good at everything without being brilliant in any one department. Griffith was weight-drained when he lost to Napoles, but in his prime, the welterweight opponent who gave him most trouble was the slick, slippery, fleet-footed Rodriquez (all three of Griffith’s wins were split decisions; Rodriguez’s win was a unanimous decision).
Outcome: Surprisingly, it is the slightly taller, considerably leaner Mayweather who is the puncher in this one. He’s also just a bit quicker and more elusive, but Griffith’s hand speed, versatility and superior work rate make most of the rounds competitive. In the end, Mayweather takes it on a close, but unanimous decision.

MAYWEATHER VS. THOMAS HEARNS

Credentials: “The Hitman” is hard to rate at welterweight. He saw off a trio of excellent 147-pound champions, outboxing Wilfred Benitez, flattening Roberto Duran and getting the better of Sugar Ray Leonard in a drawn fight. But all of these were at higher weights. His welterweight record was 32-1 (30 KOs), but it’s that single blemish (in the first Leonard fight) that everyone remembers. On his way up, he stopped former WBA titlist Angel Espada, future WBA junior welterweight titleholder Bruce Curry and a few decent contenders. He looked monstrous in blasting out Pipino Cuevas for the WBA belt, but the Mexican is hardly regarded as one of the greats. Hearns marked time with three non-descript defenses, all ending inside the distance, before taking on Leonard. He had an outstanding 155-8 amateur career when he was known as a light-hitting defensive boxer, and he used these skills effectively, outboxing Sugar Ray for long periods. He was ahead on the scorecards when Leonard battered him to defeat in the 14th round. After that, Hearns moved up and won titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight.
Physical Equipment: The 6-foot-1 Hearns is 5 inches taller than Mayweather and outreaches him by 6 inches. He was huge for a welterweight, with broad shoulders but skinny legs. Toward the end of his welterweight period, he struggled with weight and then made the mistake of coming in too light against Leonard (145 pounds).
Strengths And Weaknesses: Hearns was probably the hardest puncher in welterweight history. His right cross was devastating and he was also a potent body puncher. His jab was magnificent, and he was also a highly skilled defensive boxer. His size meant that he dwarfed most of his welterweight opponents, and very few of them could find a way inside. Hearns’ kryptonite was his jaw, although only Leonard exploited it at welterweight.
Outcome: Mayweather managed to get by other significantly taller men (like Diego Corrales and Philip Ndou) but never faced anyone with close to Hearns’ combination of size, power and boxing skill. Oscar De La Hoya succeeded in out-jabbing Mayweather in the first half of their fight, and Hearns had a far better jab than De La Hoya. Mayweather would need all his skills and guile to avoid it – and the rights that would inevitably follow. He certainly has the power to hurt Hearns, but does not hit as hard as Leonard, which means Hearns would be able to take more chances with full-blooded crosses and hooks to the body. It would be fascinating for several rounds, with Mayweather making Hearns miss before slipping in with sharp counters. But Hearns’ huge advantages in size and power, and that long, sharp, accurate jab, would prove too much, forcing Floyd to run for cover. Hearns via TKO 13.

MAYWEATHER VS. MICKEY WALKER

Credentials: The “Toy Bulldog” is best known as a great middleweight champion who went on to hold the prime Jack Sharkey to a draw in a heavyweight fight, but his first six professional years (92 fights) were fought mainly at welterweight. The Irish-American street fighter turned professional at 18 and fought 22 times the first 12 months. In 1921, he was thrown in with world champion Jack Britton and was handily outboxed. But Walker continued to learn and had a second try 16 months later. This time the 144-pound Walker dropped Britton three times and romped home with a unanimous decision – part of a 29-fight unbeaten run that ended in 1925, when he lost to Harry Greb in a bid for the world middleweight title. Walker held the welterweight title for four years, had 32 fights during that time, and is credited with six successful title defenses (some of them NBA version only). Among the top welterweights he bettered were Pete Latzo, Lew Tendler and Dave Shade, and he also won a newspaper decision over Mike McTigue in a no-decision bout for the world light-heavyweight title. In 1926, he came in out of shape and lost his title to Latzo, who used his skill and movement to prevail. That was followed by a loss on cuts to future champion Joe Dundee, after which Walker moved up to middleweight, winning a highly questionable decision over world champion Tiger Flowers. He was middleweight champion for three years and twice lost split decisions for the world light heavyweight title. He also beat several top heavyweight contenders.
Physical Equipment: The 5-foot-7 Walker was a squat, short-armed, powerfully built man, and an inch shorter than Mayweather, with a 5-inch reach deficit. For most of his welterweight title reign, he had no problem making the weight, and he came in at just 149¾ pounds when he fought McTigue for the light heavyweight title.
Strengths And Weaknesses: The Toy Bulldog looks like a modern fighter on film. He kept pressing forward, crouching to get inside, and he liked working up-close, throwing heavy body blows, some going astray (three disqualification losses in his early years). He was exceptionally strong, brave and heavy-handed, with a vicious left hook and a sturdy chin, although he sometimes sustained cuts. He developed a bob and weave style to avoid punches, but occasionally could be outboxed at the elite level, as Greb, Latzo, and Dundee showed. His partying life also contributed to his title loss in 1926.
Outcome: Walker would attack relentlessly, throwing bombs while regularly getting warned for low blows. Mayweather would fight in retreat, trying to pick him off with sharp counters, but would struggle to keep Walker at bay. In the end, however, Mayweather’s superior speed and skills would prove decisive. His sharp punches would open up cuts around Walker’s eyes, prompting a 10th-round stoppage.