Sugar Ray Leonard vs Floyd Mayweather?

Question

There's so much talk about Floyd being the best fighter that people have seen. The level of competition isn't like it was in the 80's. If these fighters meant in their prime. I think Mayweather would've been knocked out. Who would you give the edge to?

Answer 1

Ray walks him down and works off of a longer reach and more effective jab. Mayweather would have avoided Leonard like the plague. His pops went out like a man and got knocked out so son would follow the same suit. Mayweather is lucky to be fighting nowadays in the land of the big hype machine. The 80's fans would have demanded Cotto or Mosley or would have publicly retired him for not facing the top two welters.

Answer 2

Leonard fought and beat legends when he was at the top of his game. I don't think Mayweather would do well against a prime Hearns, or Duran. Leonard beat them both. Then went on to beat Hagler in a close fight, (if his defense was bad, he wouldn't have survived Hagler) and even KO'd a 168lb Donny Lalonde. Do you think Mayweather has that kind of power?

Leonard was bigger, stronger and the speed was about even. You do the math.

Answer 3

leonard in a close decision over pbf.

Answer 4

I love Floyd, but if an older De la Hoya and limited Jose Luis Castillo can fight Floyd to split decisions the Ray Leonard, maybe one of the best "big fight" boxers of all-time would be able to find a way to win.

Floyd may actaully be a bit more skilled, but Ray was physically stronger and just as fast, if not faster.  I just don't see Ray losing, having stood up to Hagler, Hearns and Duran I don't think Mayweather's punching power would bother him, he's beat defensive genius Wilfred Benitez - he can adjust mid-fight like no other....he may be the most battle tested fighter anyone young enough to use yahoo has ever seen.

Ray would be too fast, skilled and busy, I would take Leonard in a 12 round decision.

Answer 5

I would give the physical edge to Sugar Ray Leonard, but I would give the technical edge to Floyd Mayweather.

Ray Leonard was probably one of the fastest fighters that ever existed. And in having that speed, he compensated for alot of things he DIDNT do well. Yes he was a fast puncher and even faster feet...but he was a Washington DC fighter, and by default (I am from DC) his defense was suspect. Thats why Duran gave him the blues, and why Hearns detached his retina.

Technical edge definitely belongs to Floyd Mayweather. Outside of James Toney you may not find someone who can sit in a pocket and NOT get hit as well as he can, AND make you pay for it. The downside to that, is that Floyd looks great against a mediocre era. Although Cotto, Hatton and Floyd are a GOOD era of boxing, they would have been TORCHED by fighters of the likes of Arguello, Pryor, Hearns, Duran, and Leonard.

Ultimately I would have to give the greater advantage to Ray Leonard. Ive always said if the fighters pretty much match up in the skills department...and these two are comparable...match their pedigree. Floyd doesnt have the fighters talented enough to have given him a pedigree to fight or beat Ray Leonard. Ray was just TOO fast...TOO smart..and even with a suspect defense...too good to be equalled by ANY of the fighters of today.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Wow Ive never had to do this...getting some great feeback here.

PEDRITOTODD: I have to RESPECTFULLY (I say that cause I like your posts) disagree with two things you said. One, Ray Leonards defense, in pocket, WAS that bad. He didnt outclass Marvin Hagler, he did a shoe shine job...he flurried and ran all across the ring....which is why he requested the larger ring to begin with. That was why you could see Hagler mouthing "Quit running like a b*tch and fight like a man".  So far as Miguel Cotto giving PRYOR all he was worth....WHOAAAAA. Hang on now. This is the same Cotto that got his bell rung by CHOP CHOP CORLEY!!! AND PUT on his seat by a guy that took the fight on one week notice...lets not make him any great shakes just yet. He basically is not all that battle tested and really hasnt fought anything legendary yet. I will definitely concede the DeLaHoya comment though  ;)  . ALSO...I DID watch the fight between papa Mayweather and Ray Leonard...and it was a one way beating..no question. AND I would say that meeting junior wouldnt come out much better  ;)

SCOTTM: Leonard fought that way in the first fight because Duran called him a running punk...told his wife she should date a real man that fights...and got under his skin...thats why he chose to fight that way. You got to live and learn sometimes I guess.

Answer 6

mayweather

Answer 7

money mayweather

Answer 8

havent seen leonard so cant say i know, but mayweather is awesome!!!

Answer 9

floyd baby@@@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... never loses

Answer 10

Kieran27 – Very insightful.  The only thing I question is your comment about Duran giving Leonard the blues and Hearns detaching his retina.  I have long wondered why Leonard chose to fight Duran’s fight in their first meeting (now, it did result in a huge-money rematch….).  And Hearns may have detached Leonard’s retina, but Ray knocked Tommy out.

Peter H. said Leonard would be able to “find a way to win.” I totally agree with that and, IMO, that’s the key here.  Mayweather may have an edge on defense, but Leonard has an even bigger edge on offense; and defense often has more to do with avoiding a loss than with winning.  Sugar Ray’s defense (neither Hagler nor Hearns could knock him out) is relatively better than Floyd’s offense.  Leonard would get close to Mayweather, but he wouldn't lay on him and flail himself to exhaustion as Hatton did.

When I think of these two guys fighting, I just can’t see Mayweather winning.  I’m not sure Leonard would score a knockout, but I think he would win convincingly.

Predritor - You asked, "Have you ever seen footage of Floyd Sr. fighting Ray? I was shocked at his speed and jab."  But Floyd Sr. was even more shocked by RAY'S speed and jab! Lol

Answer 11

I disagree with you Kieran.  Sugar Ray was very fast and could punch and he had good wheeels but his competition wasnt that much better.  Tommy Hearns was not that much better than Oscar De La Hoya.  Miguel Cotto would've given Aaron Pryor all he could handle and then some, and Ricky Hatton wouldnt take a backwards step from Roberto Duran win or lose.  I grew up in the late 70s and early 80s so I saw these guys fight coming up. I think each era has great fighters and great fights.  All being said I would have given Floyd a slight edge because of his technical superiority. By the way have you ever seen footage of Floyd Sr. fighting Ray?  I was shocked at his speed and jab.  Good stuff.  Always a pleasure gentlemen.

Answer 12

Leonard in KO by the 7th....Fairweather isn't one og the greatest cause he hasn't fought the greatest in his division....That d**n money excuse its not business its a sport...

Answer 13

Well most of the people who say Mayfeather is the best ever are around 14 and have no concept of what boxing is. Hence all the dumb ''street fight'' and Kimbo vs. everyone questions.

So on to your question, Floyd Mayweather jr. has no business being mentioned in the same breath as Sugar Ray Leonard. LIke u stated the level of competition today is nothing like it was in the 80's. Leonard beat Benitez, Duran, Hearns and Hagler. Is there anyone on Mayflower's resume that even comes close to that quality of fighters???? Sure he looks good beating midgets like Hatton who had only fought once before at 147. And he can run and clutch against De La Hoya and win a split dec.

But he wouldn't do either against a speed demon with power in Leonard.

Sugar was a harder puncher and twice as fast.

He would humiliate Mayweather like he did to Duran.

He would pummel Floyd like he did Hearns

And he would show ''Pretty boy'' how a REAL p4p great wins a fight.

Floyd Mayweather couldn't carry Sugar Ray's Jockstrap!