Leonard/Duran: Who beat the better fighters?

[JAB5239]

Both Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran are all time greats and are widely respected. But which beat the greater fighters? Duran's career is exceptional and lasted 33 years. Leonard's career wasn't nearly as long in number of fights but was certainly just as exceptional. Which great beat the better fighters?

Duran's 5 best wins: Leonard, DeJesus, Buchanan, Cuevas and Barkley.

Leonard's 5 best wins: Hearns, Duran, Hagler, Benitez and Kalule.

Vote and discuss.

[Eff Pandas]

100% SRL & idek if its close.

Just looking at the top 5 guys beaten you listed Duran gots 1 legend & SRL gots 3 or 4 legends depending on how you feel about Benitez.

[Blond Beast]

Right. I’ve never been a huge fan of Leonard, but I respect his skills as a fighter. Im a Floyd fan but SRL with his popularity, ring IQ, ability to make his offence look good would be a real challenge I’d think? I don’t think he deserved the rematch win vs Hearns or the win vs Hagler though. But those are still “W’s” on the ledger and history forgets the details. Still he’s ahead of Duran, but closer than maybe it looks. Does that make any sense?

[JAB5239]

Right. I’ve never been a huge fan of Leonard, but I respect his skills as a fighter. Im a Floyd fan but SRL with his popularity, ring IQ, ability to make his offence look good would be a real challenge I’d think? I don’t think he deserved the rematch win vs Hearns or the win vs Hagler though. But those are still “W’s” on the ledger and history forgets the details. Still he’s ahead of Duran, but closer than maybe it looks. Does that make any sense?

While I disagree about the win over Hagler (I originally had Marvin winning at the time) I agree about the draw with Hearns. I thought Tommy won as well. I would never disrespect Duran and his greatness. It is pretty close but looks wider for Leonard on paper. Duran was an incredible fighter. But do was Ray. Besides what you've mentioned, Leonard knew how to get into an opponents head. He played sweet for the cameras, but he was an animal when it came fight time.

[GhostofDempsey]

I would count Duran’s wins over Palomino and Moore as two of his better ones. Palomino very underrated. After Duran stopped Moore who was actually a 5-2 favorite, Moore went on to defeat Benitez by stoppage. Leonard’s win over Hagler was questionable and controversial, while his win over Duran was a short notice rematch that Duran had to lose 30-40 pounds to make weight. Not exactly Duran at his best.

Duran defeated a better version of Leonard, than Leonard beating the version of Duran he got for the win.

[billeau2]

I would count Duran’s wins over Palomino and Moore as two of his better ones. Palomino very underrated. After Duran stopped Moore who was actually a 5-2 favorite, Moore went on to defeat Benitez by stoppage. Leonard’s win over Hagler was questionable and controversial, while his win over Duran was a short notice rematch that Duran had to lose 30-40 pounds to make weight. Not exactly Duran at his best.

Duran defeated a better version of Leonard, than Leonard beating the version of Duran he got for the win.

Great points... the devil is always in the details.

[JAB5239]

I would count Duran’s wins over Palomino and Moore as two of his better ones. Palomino very underrated. After Duran stopped Moore who was actually a 5-2 favorite, Moore went on to defeat Benitez by stoppage. Leonard’s win over Hagler was questionable and controversial, while his win over Duran was a short notice rematch that Duran had to lose 30-40 pounds to make weight. Not exactly Duran at his best.

Duran defeated a better version of Leonard, than Leonard beating the version of Duran he got for the win.

Great points... the devil is always in the details.

I was on the fence with Moore. I still think Cuevas was a better win the Palomino at the time, but arguments can certainly be made. Thanks for making me think about it a little more though.

[Blond Beast]

While I disagree about the win over Hagler (I originally had Marvin winning at the time) I agree about the draw with Hearns. I thought Tommy won as well. I would never disrespect Duran and his greatness. It is pretty close but looks wider for Leonard on paper. Duran was an incredible fighter. But do was Ray. Besides what you've mentioned, Leonard knew how to get into an opponents head. He played sweet for the cameras, but he was an animal when it came fight time.

Yep. SRL could be one of those guys you love to hate. I went to school with Donny Lalonde’s brother and he put up posters for their fight so SRL was the “bad guy”. But yeah Ray was a real fighter in there, no denying it. He could really push when it was the most opportune important moment. He knew how to win at boxing in ways few have, Ali comes to mind. I’d have loved to see him fight Floyd. I also think “Hawk Time” Aaron Pryor would have been an interesting fight for Floyd.

[JAB5239]

Yep. SRL could be one of those guys you love to hate. I went to school with Donny Lalonde’s brother and he put up posters for their fight so SRL was the “bad guy”. But yeah Ray was a real fighter in there, no denying it. He could really push when it was the most opportune important moment. He knew how to win at boxing in ways few have, Ali comes to mind. I’d have loved to see him fight Floyd. I also think “Hawk Time” Aaron Pryor would have been an interesting fight for Floyd.

The Donny LaLonde fight.....I honestly though Leonard bit off more than he could chew in that fight. The weight killed Donny. I use to have the cardboard cutout poster for the fight from my father's bar. I remember it well. Coors extra gold was the sponsor

[JAB5239]

Yep. SRL could be one of those guys you love to hate. I went to school with Donny Lalonde’s brother and he put up posters for their fight so SRL was the “bad guy”. But yeah Ray was a real fighter in there, no denying it. He could really push when it was the most opportune important moment. He knew how to win at boxing in ways few have, Ali comes to mind. I’d have loved to see him fight Floyd. I also think “Hawk Time” Aaron Pryor would have been an interesting fight for Floyd.

I would favor Pryor over Floyd. But Aaron was never in Leonard's leave in my opinion. To small.

Aaron would outwork Mayweather in my opinion because Floyd couldn't hurt him. Leonard could hurt him without a doubt in my opinion.