Who was better: Hearns or Leonard?

[Steak]

I know most people will say Leonard, because Leonard beat Hearns when they were both at WW...and that may be the right answer. but honestly, I think its up for debate.

The number of highly ranked fighters Hearns beat is staggering.
Clyde Gray, Harold Weston, Bruce Curry, Angel Espada, Pipino Cuevas, Luis Primera, Randy Shields, Wilfred Benitez, Murray Sutherland, Roberto Duran, Fred Hutchings, James Shuler, Mark Medal, Doug Dewitt, Dennis Andreas, James Kinchen, Virgil Hill.
Every one of these fighters was at least in the top 10 when he beat them, most of them were at least in the top 5. He should even have a win over Leonard right after Leonard's win over Hagler...in other words, if you consider Leonard to have won that fight and considered the best at Middleweight at the time, then Hearns should get a huge amount of credit for that robbery that should be a win.

While Leonard did not have nearly as many good wins...his wins over Hearns(at WW) and Hagler alone seem to seperate him from Hearns. well, that and Hearns' losses to Barkley.

I feel like Hearns is more accomplished than Leonard. but maybe his losses alone set him right below Leonard. which is too bad.

thoughts?

[Mr Boxing9]

Leonard......

Ray's wins are incredible.........
Wifred Benitez (38-0)
Roberto Duran (72-1) x2
Ayub Kalule (36-0)
Thomas Hearns (32-0)
Marvin Hagler (62-2)

.5 Weight World Champion

Hearns in his own right is a ATG fighter, but he wasnt as great as Leonard was.

[Wiley Hyena]

I know most people will say Leonard, because Leonard beat Hearns when they were both at WW...and that may be the right answer. but honestly, I think its up for debate.

The number of highly ranked fighters Hearns beat is staggering.
Clyde Gray, Harold Weston, Bruce Curry, Angel Espada, Pipino Cuevas, Luis Primera, Randy Shields, Wilfred Benitez, Murray Sutherland, Roberto Duran, Fred Hutchings, James Shuler, Mark Medal, Doug Dewitt, Dennis Andreas, James Kinchen, Virgil Hill.
Every one of these fighters was at least in the top 10 when he beat them, most of them were at least in the top 5. He should even have a win over Leonard right after Leonard's win over Hagler...in other words, if you consider Leonard to have won that fight and considered the best at Middleweight at the time, then Hearns should get a huge amount of credit for that robbery that should be a win.

While Leonard did not have nearly as many good wins...his wins over Hearns(at WW) and Hagler alone seem to seperate him from Hearns. well, that and Hearns' losses to Barkley.

I feel like Hearns is more accomplished than Leonard. but maybe his losses alone set him right below Leonard. which is too bad.

thoughts?

TOTALLY AGREED. And the same can be said for Tszyu. Thank you for finally saying what needed to be said. Hearns was extraordinary, he just didn't have the marketing team that Leonard had............or the smile. Sad but true.

[MARKBNLV]

Very even fighters but i give sugar ray the slight advantage.

[Mr Boxing9]

TOTALLY AGREED. And the same can be said for Tszyu. Thank you for finally saying what needed to be said. Hearns was extraordinary, he just didn't have the marketing team that Leonard had............or the smile. Sad but true.

So your saying the only reason Leonard was greater is because of marketing? Don't talk Bull****, Leonard was the greater fighter due to being more consistet, having the better wins and beating Hearns when they fought.

[Wiley Hyena]

So your saying the only reason Leonard was greater is because of marketing? Don't talk Bull****, Leonard was the greater fighter due to being more consistet, having the better wins and beating Hearns when they fought.

Sorry, but I disagree. Hearns was better than Leonard, IMO.

[Steak]

Leonard......

Ray's wins are incredible.........
Wifred Benitez (38-0)
Roberto Duran (72-1) x2
Ayub Kalule (36-0)
Thomas Hearns (32-0)
Marvin Hagler (62-2)

.5 Weight World Champion

Hearns in his own right is a ATG fighter, but he wasnt as great as Leonard was.

Hearns beat Benitez as well, at Benitez's best weight imo
He also beat Duran, and never lost to him
imo his win over Virgil Hill>the Ayub Kalule win
He beat Leonard right after Leonard 'beat' Hagler...he should get about as much credit as Leonard's win over Hagler

Hearns was way ahead of Leonard before the late fight KO, and imo his other 10+ wins over top ranked contenders just about evens it out for me.

[MARKBNLV]

TOTALLY AGREED. And the same can be said for Tszyu. Thank you for finally saying what needed to be said. Hearns was extraordinary, he just didn't have the marketing team that Leonard had............or the smile. Sad but true.

that was a prime virgil hill impressive win.

[MARKBNLV]

Sorry, but I disagree. Hearns was better than Leonard, IMO.

How can you say that they were both in there primes when Leonard beat him.

[RAESAAD]

I took Hearns simply because I like him better and his style of fighting better. SRL is obviously an ATG and it's hard to judge which of the two is actually better but as I stated, Hearns gets my vote.