Sugar Ray Robinson as a WW-could anyone have beaten him?

[fight_professor]

I think its a given that SRR is the p4p #1 according to the overwhelming majority of experts. Much of his legend is formed by his awesome feats at Middleweight.

He was WW world champion for about 5 years though, and a totally dominant one. I ask who, if anyone, could have beaten a WW SRR?

[them_apples]

I think Leonard and Hearns both had a shot of beating him at WW, Even Duran.

[Jim Jeffries]

Too bad there isn't more tape of him at WW.

Ray Leonard probably has the best chance, not sure if Hearns' chin would've held up and I'm not convinced even Tommy's ferocious power was enough to get SRR out of there. Duran, Mosley, even Mayweather would be interesting. And just for shts and giggles, throw Trinidad in there too, though I'm certain Ray outboxes him. Forgot Whitaker, damn.

[fight_professor]

What of Manny, Floyd, SSM etc?

[TheGreatA]

I'm sure there are some who could beat him. Prime Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Duran of Montreal, focused Emile Griffith, Charley Burley, Luis Manuel Rodriguez, Mickey Walker, Jose Napoles are some names that I'd throw out. However I'm not sure if I'd favour any of them in a fight or a series against a prime Ray Robinson.

[Eddie Futch]

Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Barbados Joe Walcot, Jose Napoles, Floyd Mayweather and Pernel Whitaker all have a good chance against robinson at welterweight

[Sugarj]

Vernon Forrest would be a nightmare for Ray stylistically. He was certainly a nightmare to Mosley.