Sugar Ray Leonard v Floyd Mayweather in their prime at Welterweight?

Question

Who wins?

Answer 1

Mayweather. Sugar Ray was the only guy that I remember that ran more that Mayweather.

Answer 2

Mayweather

Grand Rapids represent.

Answer 3

I like Floyd but Leonard is one of the all time greats. Leonard beat Hearns, Hagler and Duran. I'm not sure that PBF could beat any of those three. Sugar Ray would win by TKO late in the fight.

Answer 4

Floyd is a great defensive fighter with quickness.  It has been had for fighters today to keep up with him.  He only gets "caught" a few times by his mistakes.  Plus his hands won't let him get in a toe-to-toe.  Ray would have caught up with him and got through his defense.  When PBF made a mistake Ray would have made him pay.  If they went toe-to-toe, I think Ray lands the better shots.  

I do not go a long way back, but for the time that I have followed boxing, Ray Leonard was the best ever welterweight!

Ray with a unanimous decision or late round knock out.

Answer 5

I think Leonard beats Mayweather by decision, but I also think that Mayweather would frustrate Leonard early and often with his speed, defense, and counter punching. But I Leonard would have won but not as easily as some people might think. Mayweather could hang with Leonard...he just wont beat him.

Answer 6

Ray Leonard, he was smarter and had that killer instinct like when he fought Hearns for the first time not to mention he was a natural welterweight and Mayweather started out as a superfeatherweight. So Leonard is the bigger man naturally.

Answer 7

rside40- watch the first Hearns fight.That's what is called a fighter. Listen closely to his trainer Angelo Dundee, telling him he's blowing it. Then watch Leonard stalk the Ko artist Hearns! They tell me the last time Floyd ever beat someone the quality of Duran, Hearns, Hagler or Benetiz for that matter.

Answer 8

Sugar Ray Leonard

Answer 9

Leonard, hands down! He beat the best of the best: Hearns, Hagler, Duran  I don't believe Mayweather could have beaten him; even though he faced some good opponents, and outclassed them all, but none of them were the caliber of competition Leonard face.

Answer 10

It's easy for people to say that Ray was better but it's not a fair question at this point because Floyd hasnt been tested by guys like Hearns and Hagler.  Believe me, if there were fighters like that in this day and age they would make for some superfights.  Floyd is stuck fighting guys like Carlos Baldomir (who I recall many commentators say he would beat Floyd because he was bigger and would apply the pressure LOL), Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya.  Its not Floyds fault he lacks the competition to bring out his true greatness.  he is not only naturally talented like RJJ and Sugar Ray, he has learned to be the defensive fighter of his generation.  Ive said this before and I will say it again.  He is one of only a few fighters who can stand in front of you and you wont be able to land a punch.  Watch him jump on a wounded opponent and tell me doesnt have killer instinct. As impressive as Mayweather has been to date, he has yet to be in a fight where he is trailing on the scorecards late in a fight (and dont give me that c**p about Castillo, as ugly a fight as it was, Floyd won by being more accurate and sound defensively). I think we may have to see Floyd go up to 154 or 160 in order to find someone who can challenge him.  And remember this is a guy who won his first world title at 130lbs!  Gotta respect the man and someday when he retires undefeated maybe he'll get some of the respect he has worked hard to win.