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Did he pick the correct tests and move leonard properly before the benitez fights? please feel free to discuss
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dundee wasnt the one picking his fights, that said ray did have a good path to a title. he fought some good fighters who challenged him enough to improve while avoiding guys who were too dangerous for him while he still lacked experience. -
Dundee did have veto power during his tenure as Leonard's tenure, however. Leonard was actually tentatively slated to face Hearns in the late 70s; Dundee was on vacation while the fight was being put together... when asked if he consented he immediately shot the fight down.Originally posted by #1Assassin View PostComment
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Leonard fought pretty tough opposition on the way up, especially by todays standards. Leonard and his team had a lot of confidence and wanted to prove themselves. Perhaps it was a time where proving yourself was more important than remaining undefeated and looking good. Both of which Leonard still managed to do.Comment
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Dundee did a great job, realized that Hearns would have meant something much more later down the line.Why they didn't fight Harold Weston, I will never know, but outside of that, I think Ray's upcoming was done great.Originally posted by rightsideup View PostComment
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I think him and oscar, for being can't miss blue chip prospects, were handled perfectly.Comment
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Dundee's most significant contribution to Leonard's development as a fighter was his matchmaking, so **** knows what the earlier poster is talking about. Dundee did a magnificent job in his matchmaking. He took a great amateur talent, threw him in with a variety of different styles, progressively matched him tougher and made the transition from prospect to fully fledged top contender (Leonard fought half a dozen top ten ranked welterweights before he even fought for a title) as seamless as possible.
Dundee's work with Leonard should serve as an ultimate blueprint for any highly touted amateur prospect. It's not just about safeguarding a record until finally challenging for a belt, it's also about allowing them to develop as actual professionals, allowing them to hone their craft through the right tests. Dundee's matchmaking enabled Leonard to become a complete, versatile boxer and not stagnate and become a talented but ultimately one-dimensional, limited boxer.Comment
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Dundee called his veteran matchmakers who offered their "trail horses" in the development of young Leonard. I know this because I worked for the main matchmaker who was involved with all the contenders maturation from 1965 through 1985!
Dundee didn't pick the "names" he instead relied on his contacts to offer the correct opponents from the first fight to the 25th!
Angelo Dundee from the mid Ali days through Leonard was an advisor and a chief second in the corner. Angelo at one time was a good cut man and he became a very good evaluator of his fighters opponents during the fight.
This is getting to be a lost art because these days most instructions are about what the fighter does best not what the opponent has open.
I had Leonard in my gym for his 6th or 8th fight that was in New Haven against a lightweight that was retired with a new nose. The first right hand that hit the new nose was the end of the fight. HA! I think it was Jose Muniz.
Leonard did fight very good competition once he got through the tests.
After about a dozen fights he fought Randy Milton a tuff kid who fought out of Somers Prison Work Relief Program. A few fights later he took on Floyd Mayweather Sr. who gave Leonard a solid fight! Geraldo and Price and Ranzany all gave Leonard tests prior to Benitez.
His early career was brought along as neatly as any one could want.
Ray.Comment
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