Who was better, Sugar Ray Leonard or Roy Jones Jr?

[VG_Addict]

Sugar Ray Leonard and Roy Jones Jr were some of the most naturally talented fighters to ever lace up a pair of gloves. Both were noted for their speed, and both had success at multiple weights. But, who was the better fighter pound for pound?

[Zaroku]

Sugar Ray Leonard and Roy Jones Jr were some of the most naturally talented fighters to ever lace up a pair of gloves. Both were noted for their speed, and both had success at multiple weights. But, who was the better fighter pound for pound?

Excellent question.. You can't go wrong with Robinson.. I grew up on sugar, now young dudes are addicted to high fructose corn syrup..

SRR would detatch both of his eye retinas ..
He'd of Ko'ed Duran on any given day of da week.

[ShoulderRoll]

Sugar Ray Leonard proved his class against the best of the best.

As good as Roy looked he suffered from a lack of elite opposition for a large part of his career. It's easier to look spectacular if you are fighting subpar foes.

So...more credit to SRL.

[GhostofDempsey]

I think Leonard had better overall boxing skills. Jones had faster reflexes which served him well during his prime, but failed him as he aged post-John Ruiz. Jones did some things that most fighters couldn't get away with such as leaning back from punches, moving straight backwards, and fighting with his hands at his sides. Both are ATGs, but Leonard had a higher ring IQ where Jones was just an enigma because of his crazy hand speed and reflexes during his prime.

[StarshipTrooper]

Leonard, but it's close. Two phenomenal talents.

[Dempsey-Louis]

Leonard - Had SRL been a natural middleweight he would have taken Jones to school; as one of the posts above argues, Jones was depended on his amazing hand speed, but even there he was only slightly faster than Leonard - In all other aspects of the game, technique, power, and chin, Leonard was superior . . .

. . . and I am a Duran fan so I hate saying this.

P.S. As a real match-up with both fighters at their best weight (at catch weight and not P4P) Jones would have proved too big, too powerful for Leonard and would have beaten him. Leonard would not have been able to do to Jones what he did to Hagler.

Which then begs the question: Hagler-Jones Jr. ???

[BigGeorge]

Roy Jones Jr. was a spectacle in his prime and one of the greatest talents to ever grace the ring. But Sugar Ray Leonard fits those same qualities and has proven himself time and time again against great talent, though I am not saying Roy faced bums his entire career. Leonard is better.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Both guys are insanely talented but Leonard had the better will to win. He would figure out a way to win, most likely turning it into a brawl..

In real life, Roy way too big so he would cruise to victory, but in terms of fantasy matchup I would take Leonard

[Joe Beamish]

Jones was probably the most athletically gifted boxer of all time. But Leonard had it all: talent, brains, discipline, drive, skills, power, speed -- and tremendous, legendary opponents that he got the best of nearly every time. He avenged the only loss he had during his prime. And like Ali, he collected a handful of unforgettable victories for the ages.

[OctoberRed]

I can't see too many fighters beating a prime Roy Jones. A prime Jones would be at 168 for me. I don't think he was ever seasoned enough at 160 for Leonard.