How do the older heads view Sugar Ray Leonard.

[FeFist]

Obviously with the younger generation of boxing fans we are heavily influenced by the opinions of others in terms of how we perceive the accomplishments of fighters but for those who grew up whilst the fighter was active it is a different story.

For me I view Sugar Ray Leonard as an ATG but for my Dad the issue is completely different, when I was speaking to my Dad he talked about how people give him too much credit for fights he didn't win, how he turned boxing into a circus show, how he ducked a lot of legitimate challenges and how Hagler was calling him out for years before he decided to step in the ring with him.

His opinion of the man is very low which I can respect because it is similar to how I view Pacquiao in comparison to how other people view him.

[MindBat]

*******'s a hell of a drug.

[4Corners]

What's older heads??? People who actually watched him in his prime during the early 80's??? I was young then, but that's when I started watching boxing when I was really young.

He was the man, people thought he tried to hard to imitate Ali, but he rounded into his own fighter, and made his own legacy. He fought everyone, and the Pryor duck thing is a myth. Leonard did not duck Aaron Pryor. Anyone who says that clearly wasn't alive back then and/or watching the sport then.

I consider him one of the greatest, he's in my Top 10. 4 ATG's in Benitez, Hearns, Duran, and Hagler. Went up to 160 lbs to fight Hagler. He's one of the greatest.

[FeFist]

What's older heads??? People who actually watched him in his prime during the early 80's??? I was young then, but that's when I started watching boxing when I was really young.

He was the man, people thought he tried to hard to imitate Ali, but he rounded into his own fighter, and made his own legacy. He fought everyone, and the Pryor duck thing is a myth. Leonard did not duck Aaron Pryor. Anyone who says that clearly wasn't alive back then and/or watching the sport then.

I consider him one of the greatest, he's in my Top 10. 4 ATG's in Benitez, Hearns, Duran, and Hagler. Went up to 160 lbs to fight Hagler. He's one of the greatest.

I meant people in there 40s-50, teens and old enough to understand what was going on when he was on the scene.

Also I don't think the claim that he ducked fighters of his time is ludicrous as it can be viewed the same way as people claiming present day fighters ducked certain fighters or chose their opponents at the right time ( I don't care to name names).

I think fighters from any and every generation will be criticised but as time passes only the good is remembered.

[T-97]

Obviously with the younger generation of boxing fans we are heavily influenced by the opinions of others in terms of how we perceive the accomplishments of fighters but for those who grew up whilst the fighter was active it is a different story.

That's a very good point.

I get the feeling a lot of guys like Mayweather, Pacquiao (sorry to bring them up ), and probably the Klitschkos will get a lot more credit in years time from fans who weren't around for all the "ducking" etc.

[IronDanHamza]

A lot of people didn't like Ray back then but the fact of the matter is hate or love him you have to respect him for what he accomplished.

He accomplished more in a short amount of time than a lot of greats did in double the fights and above.

[Bushbaby]

Hagler did call him out for years & Sugar did wait a grip. However SRL came right out of retirement to fight him at his weight. He didn't need a tuneup against a welterweight to do it either,LOL!!