Ray Leonard vs Floyd? When did SRL ever face another fighter with speed and Smarts?

It seems when there is talk about this what if matchup Ray always gets the nod as he would dominate but i got a question. When did SRL ever face a fighter with speed who was also smart in the ring? Many of his opponents had marginal speed at best with the exception of Hearns, but Tommy wasn't exactly the most intelligent of fighters. Ray never fought another fighter that had great speed that could punch from a variety of angles. Hearns was 6-1 and had very good speed, but it was traditional meaning Tommy would start with the jab and follow with the right. The speed is still very good, but Ray figured it out because it wasn't unorthodox and unpredictable. He knew after the left jab to look out for the right and Tommy rarely threw upercuts or hooks until round 11 of there 2nd fight which he finally figured out was wide open the whole time. Floyd and Roy Jones are unorthodox and unpredictable. They dont start off with the traditonal jab and follow with a right. They might fent, fent then lead with a quick left upercut from nowhere or lead with there right hand. So Ray can't assume Floyd is gonna throw any type of a punch because Floyd like Roy Jones punches from multiple different angles and not just the traditional jab right like Ray was accustomed to facing in the 1970s and early 1980s. It seems like the assumption is Ray dominates but here's a question? When has SRL ever faced a unorthodox fighter who punched from all angles with speed, great defense who was also smart? Hearns was not smart. Talented but not the smartest fighter. When has Ray fought a great defensive fighter who had all of the offensive abilities above to go along with his defense? The only really quick fighter Ray ever faced was Terry Norris, but that was when he was 34 past his peak. He never ever faced a fighter who was extremely quick. Duran, Hearns, Hagler, Larry Bonds, Andy Price, Ayub Kalule, Bruce Finch, Davey Boy Green, Randy Shields. Hearns is the only out the bunch with very good speed, but it was still traditional because it was the basic 1-2 jab and follow with the big right hand. His legs were weak and the fact that he couldnt even hold when stunned very inexperienced when they fought the 1st time and weight drained at 144 pounds at 6-1.

Comments (10)

Duran, Hearns, Hagler, Larry Bonds, Andy Price, Ayub Kalule, Bruce Finch, Davey Boy Green, Randy Shields. Hearns is the only out the bunch with very good speed,. Duran was extremly fast. Also, Floyd has only fought at 154 once. Leonard's size, strength, power, speed, and chin would together be too much for lil Floyd. Benitez was also a great, very smart fighter Leonard TKO'd. Floyd beats leonard by UD. I lmao everytime I watch leonard getting KO'D by Hector "Macho" Camacho!!!! Sure, leonard was old, but so was Camacho. It was the most embarrassing moment of leonards' boxing carreer. After all the sh*t he said about Camacho in Atlantic City after Macho beat Duran. Then getting ring mopped, and having to be saved by the ref, was funny as hell. Same as when Pac waxed the golden one. Leonard fought Camacho after a 6 year lay off, and had only had 6 fights in 15 years. Camacho was 6 years younger and had fought regularly every year of his career. Good argument tho. :pat: (boxrec FTW)

15y ago

bojangles1987

As far as a tough matchup, Hearns>>>>Floyd for Leonard. Leonard would win, and he would win clearly. You've tried to make this case before, just give it up.

15y ago

RayLeonard82

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CihtuJ369p0 Clips from the Benitez fight. Wilfred was very good with his defense but i dont consider him very quick offensively. He punched wide a lot. He often made Ray miss and didnt even attempt to counter back, to off balance to counter or just not quick enough. Watch some of these highlights. The straight right hand is there for Benitez if he throws it because Ray keeps that left hand down a lot. Floyd is gonna take advantage of that and force Ray to beware of the straight right hand and lead upercut. Also watch when Ray bends down to throw the jab to the body which was a bad habit of his that he got away with. Considering Floyd is a smart fighter and the left upercut is one of is quickest and better punches, he would be looking to nail Ray with that shot coming in. And the times Ray has been stunned in his career has been with upercuts. The straight right hand is wide open for Benitez if he had it in his arsenal. Ray is relaxed dropping that left hand but back then fighters were traditional with the basic jab, right hand. They rarely led with the upercut or the right hand which is wide open in the highlights for Wilfred.

15y ago

daggum

corrales, castillo, and baldomir are about as fast as leonard. and judah is about as smart.

15y ago

RINGG

Thomas Hearns and Benitez had tremendous speed and smarts, and did it at a much higher level of competition! nuff said!

15y ago

krispy_kreme

Ray has too much for Mayweather. Don't get me wrong, it would be competitive, Floyd's physical talent and intelligence is at the highest possible level of the game. But I think Leonard UD's him. Quicker hands, better puncher, size advantage, excellent 15 round stamina (boxing or brawling). Btw, Benitez was an excellent defensive fighter, I can't believe you failed to mention him among Ray opponents.

15y ago

RayLeonard82

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vII081HVFhw Kalule vs SRL If Ray fought Floyd aggressive like this it would end up like the Oscar fight with Floyd blocking and countering. Ray is not gonna beat Floyd by just walking in throwing volume. He would get nailed time and time again.

15y ago

RayLeonard82

I think it depends on who the judges are. Less punches but with better accuracy against volume. Ray when he faced a fighter he felt he was stronger than often got hit with unecessary punches because he was so aggressive. Watch the Ayub Kalule fight. I think this happens with Floyd jr. Ray thinking he can just go in there, outpower Floyd and get him out of there might backfire and he might get nailed. Kalule hit Ray with some clean shots coming in and actually won 3 out of the 8 rounds in there fight before Ray stopped him round 9.

15y ago

Mojita

Can you say the same with floyd. PRIMEFORPRIME i picked Leonard allday. Leonard had the size, reach and isnt a midget in this matchup. He also had speed and power. I just dont see Leonard losing to Mayweather. Leonard would land alot more on mayweather while of course Mayweather blocking some too. but i think in the end Leonards activity would be the deciding factor. Leonard was a beast. Also was conditioned tobe A 15 round fighter. he had the skills to beat Mayweather as well. I just dont ever asee him losing .. and take the fact 147 was Leonards natural class compared to Being a weight Mayweather jumped into.

15y ago

Ray

He face Floyd Mayweather!!!!..............Just had to get that in J/K..

15y ago