Roy Jones vs Sugar Ray Leonard Sparring 1988 - Roy talks about it

[RayLeonard82]

Im not sure if this was ever posted but i found a ESPN interview with Roy from last year where he talks about sparring with SRL before Ray's fight with Donny Lalonde. I knew they sparred but never heard either talk about it. Here is the article.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2009-12-01-jones-q-and-a_N.htm

[jvsnypes]

That would have been a great fantasy fight, even though Ray was at his best at 147 and Roy at 175. If they had met at 154, I'm going with Ray. At 165, I'll have to go with Roy.

[RayLeonard82]

154 id still go with Roy. Ray was only 154 for the Kalule fight in 1981 and he looked much slower than when he was at 147 pounds and got hit more. Roy even at 18 years old is much quicker and more of a challenge than anyone Ray faced at 154. Speed can give anyone problems. Doesnt matter how much experience Kalule had. I think Roy in the olympics even just at 18 years old is just as good as 1991 Terry Norris, just with more power, and willing to jump on a guy when he is hurt.

Imagine SRL hurt like he was against Norris in that round 3 after the upercut. It would have been triple left hooks to a stoppage. Terry Norris just had so much respect for Ray so he let him off the hook and finish the fight. What happen against Camacho in 1997 would have happen 10 years or more earlier had Ray faced a young talented fighter who could care less about him. Camacho cared and thats why Ray lasted 5 rounds in there fight

[-EX-]

Not suprised, Ray was on the downside by then and I can imagine how fast Roy was...maybe not as sharp as he would come to be but I know he was real good...

[BROOKLYN CESAR]

Prime Roy beats a Prime Ray!!!

[Tamis!]

Good find TS.

SRL beating the crap outta Donny LaLonde was a classic! Twas the first boxing match I saw. People really thought Sugar wouldn't fair enough against giant Donny, but lo and behold!

I bet Roy got stoked at how he found out that SRL still has it.

[AKATheMack]

Good find. Would have been a very interesting sparring session to sit in on.

[wpink1]

As the biggest SRL fan, it would be a long long night for Ray if he ever stepped in the ring with prime roy. Ray as great as he is, depends on his speed and gets hits to much to move up to fight a peak Roy.

Peak roy wins a lopsided decision vs Ray.

[Instinto]

Leonard would KO Roy "Glass Jaw" Jones jr even at HW.