Ray Leonard at LH

Russell · 02-19-2008, 08:39 AM

Lets say straight out of the olympics Leonard decides to bulk up and box exclusively at Light Heavy.

I'm curious what the general consenus is on how one of the best of the last few decades could perform this far out of his prime weight for an extended period of time.

Who would his biggest obstacles be? What could he accomplish? Misc thoughts?

JohnThomas1 · 02-19-2008, 08:45 AM

Michael Spinks, Eddie Mustafa and Dwight Braxton might have killed him. He'd have no chance at 175 whatsoever, especially given the comp of the day. Even against LaLonde he was only 165. Middleweight would be more realistic but even then it would be tough. SRL was a totally natural 147 pounder who only went up for the challenges and acclaim.

Russell · 02-19-2008, 08:46 AM

Yeah, that I know.

I was curious what the consenus would be on a great like Leonard performing that far out of his comfort zone. Got me thinking when people faulted Hagler for not moving up when everyone moved up to fight him.

JohnThomas1 · 02-19-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

Yeah, that I know.

I was curious what the consenus would be on a great like Leonard performing that far out of his comfort zone. Got me thinking when people faulted Hagler for not moving up when everyone moved up to fight him.

SRL did move up, Hagler didn't. Middleweight was a big jump for Leonard. Hagler called out guys like Hearns, SRL and Benitez often (tho they did talk of moving up too of course) but when Spinks called Marvin out at one stage not a peep was heard, which admittedly was very very wise.

redrooster · 02-19-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnThomas1

SRL did move up, Hagler didn't. Middleweight was a big jump for Leonard. Hagler called out guys like Hearns, SRL and Benitez often (tho they did talk of moving up too of course) but when Spinks called Marvin out at one stage not a peep was heard, which admittedly was very very wise.

its actually the other way around. I have proof of this. Even before the first year of Hagler reign all three were calling for Marvin but when time came for them to put out leonard and Hearns got cold feet and pulled out. Only Wifred made a serious move for this fight. Hearns got brave 3 years later and Leonard 6 years later. Micheal Spinks? The last I saw of him he was taking a ten count on his back-loved it.

mr. magoo · 02-19-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnThomas1

Michael Spinks, Eddie Mustafa and Dwight Braxton might have killed him. He'd have no chance at 175 whatsoever, especially given the comp of the day. Even against LaLonde he was only 165. Middleweight would be more realistic but even then it would be tough. SRL was a totally natural 147 pounder who only went up for the challenges and acclaim.

Agreed,

Pound for pound I'd rate Sugar better than any of those men by a long shot, but when it comes time to fighting out of one's natural comfort zone, he can only go so far. There may have been some weaker champions and contenders like Leslie Stewart or Bobby Cyz that he might have eeked out a decision against at 175, but he would have lost a tremendous amount of speed and strength at those levels. I can't see Leonard being much of a problem for say Michael Spinks.

dpw417 · 02-19-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnThomas1

SRL did move up, Hagler didn't. Middleweight was a big jump for Leonard. Hagler called out guys like Hearns, SRL and Benitez often (tho they did talk of moving up too of course) but when Spinks called Marvin out at one stage not a peep was heard, which admittedly was very very wise.

Marvin told Arum he wanted 20 million for Spinks...

JohnThomas1 · 02-19-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpw417

Marvin told Arum he wanted 20 million for Spinks...

Yes, priced himself out

redrooster · 02-19-2008, 07:39 PM

Not really. He got the same amount for leonard

Pat_Lowe · 02-19-2008, 07:44 PM

A Spinks-Hagler fight wouldn't be as big a fight as Leonard-Hagler. Leonard was the money man.

Robbi · 02-19-2008, 07:54 PM

Hagler's purse for the Leonard fight was $12 million, and Leonard's was $11 million.

Thats basic purses without add ons. When asking for $20 million to fight Spinks will he no doubt have been asking for a flat rate $20 million without add ons.

redrooster · 02-19-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbi

Hagler's purse for the Leonard fight was $12 million, and Leonard's was $11 million.

Thats basic purses without add ons. When asking for $20 million to fight Spinks will he no doubt have been asking for a flat rate $20 million without add ons.

i read Hagler got in excess of $18 million for Leonard.

Robbi · 02-19-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrooster

i read Hagler got in excess of $18 million for Leonard.

Hagler got $12 million for the Leonard fight. Without question. It was $23 million split with Leonard getting the remaining $11 million.

That was Hagler's basic purse.

02-19-2008, 08:39 AM	#1
Russell Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 12,164 vCash: 75	Ray Leonard at LH Lets say straight out of the olympics Leonard decides to bulk up and box exclusively at Light Heavy. I'm curious what the general consenus is on how one of the best of the last few decades could perform this far out of his prime weight for an extended period of time. Who would his biggest obstacles be? What could he accomplish? Misc thoughts?
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02-19-2008, 08:45 AM	#2
JohnThomas1 Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 12,184 vCash: 1000	Re: Ray Leonard at LH Michael Spinks, Eddie Mustafa and Dwight Braxton might have killed him. He'd have no chance at 175 whatsoever, especially given the comp of the day. Even against LaLonde he was only 165. Middleweight would be more realistic but even then it would be tough. SRL was a totally natural 147 pounder who only went up for the challenges and acclaim.
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02-19-2008, 08:46 AM	#3
Russell Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 12,164 vCash: 75	Re: Ray Leonard at LH Yeah, that I know. I was curious what the consenus would be on a great like Leonard performing that far out of his comfort zone. Got me thinking when people faulted Hagler for not moving up when everyone moved up to fight him.
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02-19-2008, 07:39 PM	#9
redrooster Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,839 vCash: 1000	Re: Ray Leonard at LH Not really. He got the same amount for leonard
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02-19-2008, 07:44 PM	#10
Pat_Lowe Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637 vCash: 1000	Re: Ray Leonard at LH A Spinks-Hagler fight wouldn't be as big a fight as Leonard-Hagler. Leonard was the money man.
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02-19-2008, 07:54 PM	#11
Robbi Marvelous East Side Guru Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: UK Posts: 7,766 vCash: 1000	Re: Ray Leonard at LH Hagler's purse for the Leonard fight was $12 million, and Leonard's was $11 million. Thats basic purses without add ons. When asking for $20 million to fight Spinks will he no doubt have been asking for a flat rate $20 million without add ons.
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