Donny Lalonde

[Benncollinsaad]

I don't believe anyone has mentioned him yet, not since I've joined. What do you think of him? Many will remember his name from that famous bout with Sugar Ray Leonard. I'm sure that's not what he would like to be remembered for, despite making a brave performance against a much quicker and more skilled man. Lets not ignore the fact that he was punched in the throat just before he got ko'd. Or that he had to lose some weight in order to fight Leonard but STILL had to put his LHW belt on the line! But never mind.

I wonder where he would be in today's LHW division...he was a tall LHW and he ended his career as a cruiserweight. He was known for his power, so I think he would make an impact today where a non-puncher is leading the LHW division. But most of all, he was a nice guy who quit boxing because he was no longer capable of inflicting pain. A victim of parental abuse as a child, he fought against it later in life after becoming famous. That's one thing he would like to be remembered for.

But back to boxing. Lalonde retired with a record of 41-5 with 33 KOs. Among men who beat him are Virgil Hill, Bobby Czyz and of course SRL. That's nothing to be ashamed for. Among his wins are names like Leslie Stewart, Mustafa Hamsho and Eddie Davis.

[Benncollinsaad]

C'mon, goddammit! I HATE it when my thread gets lost in the landfill! It's happened at least twice already!

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

He was a decent fighter but I think unfortunately for him the SRL fight will be his legacy.

[BattlingNelson]

Lalonde had a big right hand but not much of a left. I think it was partially torn off in an accident or something. Still he had decent boing in the right and he managed to put Leonard on the floor.

He might have been a champion among this eras LHW because the division sucks. If one thinks that Hopkins is retired there's really only Dawson that Lalonde surely would lose to.

[Benncollinsaad]

He was a decent fighter but I think unfortunately for him the SRL fight will be his legacy.

Youre right. Unfortunately.

[FloydsEra]

So little love for lalonde on this site smh

[Benncollinsaad]

Indeed. He is the original Golden Boy. The first boxer to wear that nickname I believe.

[Benncollinsaad]

Omg, I just found this article! It's nuts. I tried to upload it, but it failed for some reason. It's about Teddy Atlas wanting to kill Lalonde. He was intent on going to his apartment with a gun and shooting him! Luckily for Donny, he was away for most of the day and by the time he got back and Teddy went to kill him, he changed his mind halfway to his apartment. All this because Lalonde had fired him.

Has anybody heard of this already?

[TheGreatA]

Indeed. He is the original Golden Boy. The first boxer to wear that nickname I believe.

Art Aragon. There may have been someone else previously but that's who first comes to my mind.

Aragon isn't well known anymore but he was a huge draw in his day.

[Scott9945]

Lalonde was an ordinary talent who happened to win a title and make a perfect opponent for Leonard's publicity stunt (winning the 175 lb title at 167 lbs). He wouldn't be competitive with today's top lightheavies like Dawson, Hopkins, etc.