I was watching Sugar Ray Leonard on Ringside on ESPN Classics

[The Noose]

Counter-right. All night baby!

But seriously...i tried to think how Floyd could beat Leonard, and all i see is Leonard beating Floyd. It would be close, but Leonard could use his jab well, could fight well on the inside, had a great engine, good chin. I dont see Floyd having a nice time with Sugar Ray.

[PED Salesman]

I don't see it playing out like Leonard-Benitez. Benitez left his body open and Ray got to it. Wilfredo had a defensive style that evaded head hunters, but Leonard was much more than that.

I favor Leonard over Floyd, but I think Floyd has more power and better footwork than his dad, and would do better than Floyd Sr in holding Ray off forr a while. If Floyd's on top of his game, I think that if they fought 10 times, Floyd would win a couple of decisions here and there after losing the first one.

[PED Salesman]

Exactly.

Weight was not a problem in this fight. Duran was stronger than Sugar. Later, Sugar adapted, Duran couldn't...

I wouldn't say it was Leonard adapting as much as it was Duran shooting himself in the foot during training. Leonard fought a weaker, weight-drained Duran the second fight. He even admitted that he knew Duran would fatten himself up to 200 lbs between fights, and that his strategy was to get him in the ring as fast as possible to weaken him.

Not saying that it was Leonard's fault or that Duran was a supreme fighter. I'm just saying that skill for skill, Duran was every bit the boxer and every bit as smart as Leonard was, and Leonard was every bit the brawler and warrior that Duran was. Their first fight was close, and if Duran had the discipline to stay within fighting weight between bouts, the second fight and every fight after would have been like the first two Pacquiao and Marquez fights, maybe closer.

[-EX-]

Floyd aint beating Leonard...Floyd's best weight isn't 147...

And I doubt Floyd would welcome that challenge...

[Frank Ducketts]

I wouldn't say it was Leonard adapting as much as it was Duran shooting himself in the foot during training. Leonard fought a weaker, weight-drained Duran the second fight. He even admitted that he knew Duran would fatten himself up to 200 lbs between fights, and that his strategy was to get him in the ring as fast as possible to weaken him.

Not saying that it was Leonard's fault or that Duran was a supreme fighter. I'm just saying that skill for skill, Duran was every bit the boxer and every bit as smart as Leonard was, and Leonard was every bit the brawler and warrior that Duran was. Their first fight was close, and if Duran had the discipline to stay within fighting weight between bouts, the second fight and every fight after would have been like the first two Pacquiao and Marquez fights, maybe closer.

Good post. I don't believe that Duran was weight drained or out of shape for the rematch though. Sugar finally ran into someone that he wasnt stronger than. Sugar had to adjust to Durans aggressiveness by moving more, and he did which frustrated Duran.

[Frank Ducketts]

I don't see it playing out like Leonard-Benitez. Benitez left his body open and Ray got to it. Wilfredo had a defensive style that evaded head hunters, but Leonard was much more than that.

I favor Leonard over Floyd, but I think Floyd has more power and better footwork than his dad, and would do better than Floyd Sr in holding Ray off forr a while. If Floyd's on top of his game, I think that if they fought 10 times, Floyd would win a couple of decisions here and there after losing the first one.

Interesting. Good post!

[_original_]

I just can't see Floyd beating Leonard, I don't think Leonard blows Floyd out or stops him, but he wins the fight no doubt.

[wpink1]

I wouldn't say it was Leonard adapting as much as it was Duran shooting himself in the foot during training. Leonard fought a weaker, weight-drained Duran the second fight. He even admitted that he knew Duran would fatten himself up to 200 lbs between fights, and that his strategy was to get him in the ring as fast as possible to weaken him.

Not saying that it was Leonard's fault or that Duran was a supreme fighter. I'm just saying that skill for skill, Duran was every bit the boxer and every bit as smart as Leonard was, and Leonard was every bit the brawler and warrior that Duran was. Their first fight was close, and if Duran had the discipline to stay within fighting weight between bouts, the second fight and every fight after would have been like the first two Pacquiao and Marquez fights, maybe closer.

you have no idea what the hell your talking about. Leonard gave away the first fitht because he fought flat footed. After the 1st four rounds of the 1st fight, leonard actually won a majority of the final rounds as indicated by the final sore. losing by a total of 4 points between 3 scorecards. Now The 2nd figght your on her hyping a false myth. Duran was training as good in the 2nd fight as he did the first fight. Get his book, not a other author but his autobiography, hands of stone where he set the record straight. He was in perfect shape. You can get the youtube vids of him at the ali fight before their 2nd fight when he was already within 5 pounds of his target weight. Leoanrd easily was and always will outbox duran if he decided to box. Duran was a ll time great, but he had to get planted just like hagler to throw, and leonard lateral movement kept him off balance and reaching. Then as the fight was going on, leonard was setting traps for duran and catching him with shot after shot. Go look at the 8th round. Oh I always love to discredit those that try to say leonard rushed this rematch. You do know that Duran has more time off in this fight between fights than he had with all others since 1973. 5 full months. Many duran followers never accept that boxing is about styles and leonard when he boxed would always beat duran, when he slugged it was a close fight, but duran being the aggressor and backing ray straight back got the nod, deservingly so.

[Frank Ducketts]

you have no idea what the hell your talking about. Leonard gave away the first fitht because he fought flat footed. After the 1st four rounds of the 1st fight, leonard actually won a majority of the final rounds as indicated by the final sore. losing by a total of 4 points between 3 scorecards. Now The 2nd figght your on her hyping a false myth. Duran was training as good in the 2nd fight as he did the first fight. Get his book, not a other author but his autobiography, hands of stone where he set the record straight. He was in perfect shape. You can get the youtube vids of him at the ali fight before their 2nd fight when he was already within 5 pounds of his target weight. Leoanrd easily was and always will outbox duran if he decided to box. Duran was a ll time great, but he had to get planted just like hagler to throw, and leonard lateral movement kept him off balance and reaching. Then as the fight was going on, leonard was setting traps for duran and catching him with shot after shot. Go look at the 8th round. Oh I always love to discredit those that try to say leonard rushed this rematch. You do know that Duran has more time off in this fight between fights than he had with all others since 1973. 5 full months. Many duran followers never accept that boxing is about styles and leonard when he boxed would always beat duran, when he slugged it was a close fight, but duran being the aggressor and backing ray straight back got the nod, deservingly so.

Let's stick to the topic.

Very good post though. Almost in full agreement. Duran didn't need to plant, but if Leonard boxes, Duran can't beat him.

[wpink1]

leoanrd vs Mayweather would not be a close fight. People when was the last time Mayweather fought a good fighter with a Jab. Hmmmm DLH, and he was being controlled with that the first 7 rounds and was avoiding the left hook, so he lay on the ropes and tried to smother his shots, and avoid them then whe DLH tired and picked him apart. What in the hell would he do with a peak SRL, who was bigger stronger, faster had a better jab (dropped people with his jab ask Benetiz a all time great) and a jaw out of this world until he came back from retirement...Plus unlike DLH Ray had not only a jab and left hook but he had a great right hand, what DLH did not have.

When was the last time Mayweather fought a great guy who was at his peak at welterwitght. Hmmm never maybe.

when was the last time maywether fought a all time great period that was peak.... Hmmm

When was the last time Mayweather fougght a great or good fighter with reach advantage and was not old. Corrales did not have the reach advantage.

So Mayweather some how fights a top 2-3 welterweight of all time, who is just as fast, has more reach than he has ever faced, faster, better jab, hits harder, has the foot speed how shown the ability to destroy the shoulder roll (his daddy) great jaw, Leonard alwasy had great stamina and would not tire out like dlh ( remember his 15 round war with duran).

Not sure what fighter at 147 you all saw in Peak ray, but Mayweather at 147 would get annilhated, as his entire counter punching and not getting his is based of of not having to deal with a jab, being faster, not dealing with reach advantage. Reach neutralizes speed a jab does too, combine all 3, you have mayweather having to take the fight to Ray leonard, who would welcome this all day long.

This fight at 147 is not close, just like if Ray leonard fought Roy jones at middleweight.