If Ray Leonard was boxing today....what kind of PPV numbers would he draw?

[The Big Dunn]

Desperate, painful and embarrasing....please dunn, dont do this to yourself, buddy.

you seem to be going in every thread and responding to me. This is my opinion based on the reasons I posted. you can agree or disagree, fine with me.

SRL was the darling of the 76 olympics. Post 1992, boxing nin the olympics hasn't been the same. The exsposure is significantly different. The post assumes Ray would be the same in 2012 as he was in 1976. I dont see how that is possible.

Its not a knock on Ray. Its an assessment of the differences in the US spots landscape then and now. Its also an understanding of why Ray blew up then. he arrived right when ALi was on his way out. He arrived when boxing was one of the big 3 sports along with baseball and horse racing.

Feel free to disagree.

[jwheels9876]

I think he would eclipse any other star. That warm smile. That slickness. Prizefighting for real. Dude would get 10 million buys in the US

Doubt he would do 10 million lol...but I know one guy who wouldn't fight him...

[CubanGuyNYC]

He would probably be a huge star in this era, i just dont think he would be as big now as he was when he was active. Boxing is less popular, there are less name fighters to make his mark and the cold war of our two main promotional outfits would rule out a good few fights

You're right, boxing is less popular now; but Leonard would be at least as successful as Floyd. He'd have much more of a fan-base than Mayweather. Floyd basically depends on two things: peoples' desire to see him lose, and his opponents' own fan-base. And Ray would have the vaunted "zero", too. There's no one around today to beat him.

[mrpizza-nd_beer]

I think he would eclipse any other star. That warm smile. That slickness. Prizefighting for real. Dude would get 10 million buys in the US

Much lower than Floyd for sure. Why? Because he is not as greedy.

That's about it.

[GOD-FR33]

Greatest ever.

SRL is the greatest fighter of all-times, in my opinion. He had no weaknesses. He was the perfect combination of speed and power. He was born to fight. To answer your question, I think he would be the highest paid fighter ever, if he was fighting today. Ray was a brilliant business man. You think Floyd is good, Ray is even smarter. He was the first fighter to dictate glove size, ring size, who walked out last, and what he would be paid for fighting the best; those were all firsts, back then. He would call out Floyd, Manny, Canelo, Lara, GGG, Sergio, and Ward. When those lights came on, you knew what you were going to see with Ray. Fighting the best and taking risks, is what being perceived as great is all about. The more risks you take as a fighter, the more money you'll make and the more people will tune in. Either to root for you, or against you, or just to see what you'll do next. This is proof that Floyd is BAD for boxing. His refusal to fight the fights the fans want to see, Is unacceptable. All he does, is run his mouth and not back it up. All he does, Is take meaningless fights. He is BAD for the sport we've come to love.

[jwheels9876]

"Ray Leonard you're next"
Cue fight with Amir Khan lol...

[The Big Dunn]

You're right, boxing is less popular now; but Leonard would be at least as successful as Floyd. He'd have much more of a fan-base than Mayweather. Floyd basically depends on two things: peoples' desire to see him lose, and his opponents' own fan-base. And Ray would have the vaunted "zero", too. There's no one around today to beat him.

How would Ray connect to the fans in this era?

In ray's era, boxers were not niche marketed to their ethnic communities. In this era they are not. Post 1996, Olympic boxing has gone from primetime major networks to cable companies at off hours. Ray's olympics were in the eastern time zone in the US. SInce 2000 that hasn't been the case.

Ray has charisma, talent, skills and would surely win a ton of fights. Is it possibloe for him to become the same sugar ray leonard in this era?

[chargerhemi06]

A lot more than floyd

[CubanGuyNYC]

How would Ray connect to the fans in this era?

In ray's era, boxers were not niche marketed to their ethnic communities. In this era they are not. Post 1996, Olympic boxing has gone from primetime major networks to cable companies at off hours. Ray's olympics were in the eastern time zone in the US. SInce 2000 that hasn't been the case.

Ray has charisma, talent, skills and would surely win a ton of fights. Is it possibloe for him to become the same sugar ray leonard in this era?

He would connect for all the reasons you and I listed. Plus, he would fight and beat Manny Pacquiao, making him an even greater superstar. No superfight would be safe. Leonard would milk them all for everything they're worth.

[The Big Dunn]

He would connect for all the reasons you and I listed. Plus, he would fight and beat Manny Pacquiao, making him an even greater superstar. No superfight would be safe. Leonard would milk them all for everything they're worth.

Ward and Wlad seem to have the same olympic pedigree and outside the ring demeanor as ray (although not as charasmatic). They have fought and defeated everyone. Are not controversial, do not talk **** and they are not ppv stars while being HOF level fighters. AGree ray would be a beast- best out there without a doub. Roy was that and wasn't a ppv star.

See why I am somewhat skeptical?