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

[twrx]

The question becomes would he be ducked out of the spot light I mean back then there was more pride involve more willingness to fight not if time money event locstion gloves trainers arent what they want they avoid one another. I believe most top fighters give him the run around

[Canelo Phresh]

if he came out the same time as DLH, you might be onto something...but if he came out lets say after 2004 or something when US boxing isn't as closely followed as in the past, then im not so sure


plus, if its just Ray with no Tommy, Duran or Marvin, it would be kinda hard to build that legacy


also, he might get caught up in the promotional cold war that's going on now and might not be able to fight everyone...hell, we already know the biggest name now (floyd) would duck him...how famous would Ray be from beating up the Tim Bradleys of the world?

Leonard Bradley IV, Leonard Pacquiao II, Leonard Marquez VII

[BattlingNelson]

if he came out the same time as DLH, you might be onto something...but if he came out lets say after 2004 or something when US boxing isn't as closely followed as in the past, then im not so sure


plus, if its just Ray with no Tommy, Duran or Marvin, it would be kinda hard to build that legacy


also, he might get caught up in the promotional cold war that's going on now and might not be able to fight everyone...hell, we already know the biggest name now (floyd) would duck him...how famous would Ray be from beating up the Tim Bradleys of the world?

Boxing would not be slumping in the US if Leonard was active. I have no doubt that he singlehandedly could carry the sport to a new high. He just had that crossover appeal. That X-factor.

[Canelo Phresh]

Leonard Marquez VII : Here We Go Again, Again!

[GOD-FR33]

I get your point.

I get what you're saying. You're saying that it isn't a given or automatic because he was a great fighter that he would cross over and be as big as I and others suggest. This cold war that is going on is killing the sport. The bad judging is as well. We need younger judges for one, and we need to introduce a new interactive way that judges watch fights. What do you think about this?

I propose an idea where judges watch the fights, not at ringside, but in separate rooms and on TV just like we watch it, but with no sound. With HD screens and no influence from the audience or commentators, don't you think we would get better decisions?

[CubanGuyNYC]

if he came out the same time as DLH, you might be onto something...but if he came out lets say after 2004 or something when US boxing isn't as closely followed as in the past, then im not so sure


plus, if its just Ray with no Tommy, Duran or Marvin, it would be kinda hard to build that legacy


also, he might get caught up in the promotional cold war that's going on now and might not be able to fight everyone...hell, we already know the biggest name now (floyd) would duck him...how famous would Ray be from beating up the Tim Bradleys of the world?

The are a lot of "ifs". It's obviously impossible to say exactly how successful Ray would've been, but I think it's safe to say he would've been pretty successful. Floyd might've avoided him, but not Manny. "Sugar" would've beaten Paquiao, in my opinion. Then where would that put Mayweather? He would have to fight Leonard or lose market share.

Another thing: One of the biggest differences between Floyd and Leonard is that Ray had real punching power. He finished people. We can all agree that that is always appealing. And it's not like Leonard was a brawler, but he could outbox you or outfight you.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Boxing would not be slumping in the US if Leonard was active. I have no doubt that he singlehandedly could carry the sport to a new high. He just had that crossover appeal. That X-factor.

If anyone could do it, it was Ali or Leonard. Mayweather just happens to be the best we've got right now. He doesn't have the same star power those two possessed.

[The Big Dunn]

If anyone could do it, it was Ali or Leonard. Mayweather just happens to be the best we've got right now. He doesn't have the same star power those two possessed.

but isnt that more because of boxing's place in the American sports psyche rather than a reflection of those individuals star power?

Ali became a hero because of his opposition to the Vietnam war, not just because of his fighting. Leonrad became a star as the face of the Olympics.

How could either replicate that post 1992/96?

[bojangles1987]

Leonard would be the biggest star in the sport.

[CubanGuyNYC]

but isnt that more because of boxing's place in the American sports psyche rather than a reflection of those individuals star power?

Ali became a hero because of his opposition to the Vietnam war, not just because of his fighting. Leonrad became a star as the face of the Olympics.

How could either replicate that post 1992/96?

Great athletes draw attention to their sport. What you say about Ali and Leonard is true, but I would argue that those men would find a way to make noise. Those just happen to be the situations they had to deal with. Mayweather is a great fighter, but he's not a great personality. Ali and Leonard were both.