Comments Thread For: Sugar Ray Leonard: Has Mayweather Slowed Down? Yes.

I think even with his legs under him, Hearns would have faced the same fate later in the fight.

Hearns is an interesting case. He was really unbeatable if he stayed at a distance, but fighters managed to psych him into bravado and slugging it out. SRL should never have beaten him. And as for Hagler, Hearns could've stayed away an won on points but he was goaded into going toe-to-toe. Big mistake. "The Hitman had been expected to use his superior movement and boxing skills to set up Hagler for his dynamite right. But unbeknown to his master trainer, Emanuel Steward, he booked a pre-fight massage to ease the tension. Then he reported that his legs felt weakened by the kneading of his calves and thighs. Even the angered Steward agreed that his man’s only option was to go for a quick KO. It might have come but for Hagler’s shaven head being among the most solid in boxing history."

Of course he has slowed down. Floyd predicates on timing though. Where I think Floyd is f*cked for this fight is he fights with his hands down at the center of the ring with his head leaned forward trying to draw his opponent out for a counter. I really don't think Floyd Saturday will be able to pull back as quick and as much as Manny throws his left hand. I mean h*ll I didn't think Floyd could do that after 2009. You THOUGHT he couldn't do it after 2009. THOUGHT. No doubt he'll catch fire at some point Saturday though. But he's shown to have an A+ chin and he's resiliant.

Of course he has slowed down. Floyd predicates on timing though. Where I think Floyd is f*cked for this fight is he fights with his hands down at the center of the ring with his head leaned forward trying to draw his opponent out for a counter. I really don't think Floyd Saturday will be able to pull back as quick and as much as Manny throws his left hand. I mean h*ll I didn't think Floyd could do that after 2009.

ray leonard would beat the hell out of floyd. there's nothing he'd be able to do with leonard's speed, size, boxing skills, and power. he'd be overwehelming. likewise, hearns at WW would be way too much for floyd. hearns was well over 6', had a HW reach, and power that carried all the way to cruiserweight. he was also a phenomenal boxer. they really don't make fighters like that any more. benitez is a lower tier of great, but still a great. he was pretty used up by his 25th birthday, but in his early 20's he was a hell of a defensive technician and counterpuncher. that's certainly not a fight floyd mayweather walks through. marvin hagler is a MW, and floyd would never fight him. that fight owuld never happen. and finally, roberto duran is a greater fighter p4p than any of the guys on that list. he was beyond his prime when he beat ray leonard. prime duran was a lightweight, and prime LW duran would beat the hell out of floyd mayweather. he'd beat him up and stop him. i may edge floyd at WW, because duran wasn't always in shape, but the WW duran that beat prime leonard beats floyd. Excellent excellent post. No doubt about It.

Of course Mayweather slowed down. So has Pacquiao. Mayweather is still sharp mentally, so he's able to overcome his deficiencies.

Ray nor anyone else has accomplished what Floyd has done. His lifestyle is much cleaner for one. Most fighters either drink, smoke, party or do all. Floyd keeps good company when it comes to what he put in his body. Floyd may never reach 49-0 but I know one thing is that I can't think of one fighter who has went more than 18 years without a lost, not Ray, Hagler, Ray Robinson, Ali, Rocky, non of the greats not Louis so Ray all that you are saying just went out the window with this special fighter! I'm just saying.......... Can u think of a fighter who never faced any of his rivals in their primes...or when they were most dangerous??? You guys are all stuck on stupid. When did di*kriding become en vogue? Floyd will never be loved or beloved..or be considered in the same vein of greatness as the men u mentioned. He'll be rich but so what. How long do u expect a ninja who gambles uncontrollably & who can barely read to stay rich?? & as far as cleaner lifestyle....all he doesn't do is drink liquor or smoke. Look through the footage at all the fast food & candy & soda this dude consumes....foh. Get off his nutts & judge him fairly. All of what you're saying is out the window. Floyd is phenomenal at what he does..but who got fighter of the decade? being undefeated is irrelevant when considered up against who he's fought & when & the relevance of the event ...Look at Calzaghe..nobody gives a sh*t about him today. Maybe he'll get it in 2020..i doubt it...but it still wouldn't matter.

I honestly feel like in that era Manny and Floyd wouldn't have gone to Welterweight. They'd have been vastly undersized against Hearns or Leonard. They wouldn't have moved up when the likes of Trinidad, Quartey, De La Hoya & Whitaker (yes, even the faded version) were operating at that weight, either.

I agree man. Fight could easily have been a draw too. SRL got every possible advantage in that fight too: Slightly shot Marvin and a Huge ring. He lost to a retired, one-eyed coke addict, son. http://www.theopticalvisionsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1990-Vintage-Visual-Scene-Sun.jpg Deal with it!

Oh boy at these comments, of course hes slowed down hes supposed to slow down at 38

He's 38. Of course he's slowed down. So has Manny. two exciting fights with a dirty fighter that hits in illegals spots that zap your equillibruim is not enough for me to say he slowed down...i wish i could have saw him fight some one else before chino... i cant say he slowed with canelo...or cotto really..only punch cotto could land was the jab...and floyd been getting caught with jabs since the oscar fight and before.....i'm on the fence about i think ppl need to look at it deeper than just the age b/c sports medicine is out of this world these days..u have men who are 70 that are freaks of nature b/c they work to be it...bad thing is the shots in dirty spots that chino landed could have cause slight yet permanent damage

i'll say this maidana hitting you in your neck from round 1 to round 12 is nothing to laught at....if floyd comes out and lookes 30 vs manny than i'll point to those illegal shots of chino that slowed him down in each of their fights..illegal spots are illegal for a reason..each shot can be not only and instant threat, but they could cause career damage..floyd sr was right when he said he shouldnt fight him again..chino shouldnt be in a ring again after the tactics i saw..floyd would jab to the body and chion would literally aim for the top of ball of his neck...there is noway to get away from that punch.if he aimed for his head floyd might have looked like floyd..

Hearns is an interesting case. He was really unbeatable if he stayed at a distance, but fighters managed to psych him into bravado and slugging it out. SRL should never have beaten him. And as for Hagler, Hearns could've stayed away an won on points but he was goaded into going toe-to-toe. Big mistake.

As much as I appreciated Ray, I disagree with him on this one Ray nor anyone else has accomplished what Floyd has done. His lifestyle is much cleaner for one. Most fighters either drink, smoke, party or do all. Floyd keeps good company when it comes to what he put in his body. Floyd may never reach 49-0 but I know one thing is that I can't think of one fighter who has went more than 18 years without a lost, not Ray, Hagler, Ray Robinson, Ali, Rocky, non of the greats not Louis so Ray all that you are saying just went out the window with this special fighter! I'm just saying..........

The problem here is that Leonard LOST to Hagler in his "one more fight" despite the score cards. He also forgets to mention that he came back AGAIN and got KO'd by Hector Camacho LOL

where was srl in 97'?

ray leonard would beat the hell out of floyd. there's nothing he'd be able to do with leonard's speed, size, boxing skills, and power. he'd be overwehelming. likewise, hearns at WW would be way too much for floyd. hearns was well over 6', had a HW reach, and power that carried all the way to cruiserweight. he was also a phenomenal boxer. they really don't make fighters like that any more. benitez is a lower tier of great, but still a great. he was pretty used up by his 25th birthday, but in his early 20's he was a hell of a defensive technician and counterpuncher. that's certainly not a fight floyd mayweather walks through. marvin hagler is a MW, and floyd would never fight him. that fight owuld never happen. and finally, roberto duran is a greater fighter p4p than any of the guys on that list. he was beyond his prime when he beat ray leonard. prime duran was a lightweight, and prime LW duran would beat the hell out of floyd mayweather. he'd beat him up and stop him. i may edge floyd at WW, because duran wasn't always in shape, but the WW duran that beat prime leonard beats floyd. Leonard's best weight class was Welterweight, Floyd's best weight class is definitely not Welterweight. I honestly feel like in that era Manny and Floyd wouldn't have gone to Welterweight. They'd have been vastly undersized against Hearns or Leonard. You're right, that fight against Hagler would never happen, he's a million times bigger than Floyd. I think prime LW Floyd vs prime LW Duran would be an amazing matchup. I'd give a slight edge to Duran, but I think it'd be a great fight. I certainly don't think he stops Floyd though.

Of course Floyd has slowed down the since 2009-2010, or even 2011-2012 probably. But since 2013 or so Floyd's generally looked about the same to me. Still don't think either guy is shot, and if we're being real here, in 2010 it wouldn't have been prime vs prime either. Floyd ain't be actual prime since 2006-2007 in all honesty. Both guys are still good, but not prime. Both still two ATG's at or near the top of the P4P list, and the 2 best in their division. This is what it's all about and we should be happy it's finally gonna come to pass.

Jr. learned from Daddy's mistakes, lol. Jr. would never face a Leonard type fighter.

He's 38......