1981 Sugar Ray Leonard vs. 1949 Kid Gavilan

In a tussle of technical prowess, I'll say Gavilan edges it narrowly on points.

 

It would be a series,would n't it ? Maybe a trilogy. One of them takes two out of three,but I can't figure out which one.

These two are arguably the second and third greatest welterweights of all time.

 

I think Sugar Ray Leonard would outwork Gavilan, narrowly winning on points in one of the greatest welterweight fights of all time!

 

It's going the championship distance with no knockdowns, a situation where Ray lost the only time that happened with him. In 1949, the Keed did something utterly unique. He defeated Ike Williams in back to back contests, when the reigning LW Champion was at his peak. Gavilan was already a veteran of over 55 fights (nearly double what SRL had in 1981, although Ray had some tremendous quality behind his briefer resume), and he reportedly beat Ike the first time with a similar inside template to the one Duran used in Montreal. I like Gavilan to edge the decision here, but would have no great quarrel with dissenting views favoring Ray to take the verdict.

 

I think Ray edges the Kid by the narrowest of margins, though a draw isn't out of the question.

 

Leonard by split decision. Incredible fight. As good a combination puncher as Gavilan is...Leonard is better. Gavilan would at times become wild in his flurries, Leonard was more pinpoint with his shots...Very close though.

 

Agree about the combination part.

Although I think it could, and perhaps should, be said that Gavilan is more adaptable (and that is saying something!)

 

Cheers GP.
I think both are very adaptable, and capable of changing a fight plan in mid fight...Not sure if I would give Gavilan the edge there or not...I think I would give him the edge in durability and chin over Leonard though...that's a given IMO.

 

There are certain boxers who I would not bet against even when the other guy is the better, more skilled, bigger and stronger guy. Ray Leonard is one of those boxers.

 

I don't thin SRL wants any part of a Hawk, whether it comes from Cincinati or Cuba...Give me the Cuban Hawk By a hard fought UD 9-6!

 

By adaptability I mean that Gavilan is the one going to be posing the questions, he could be near impossible to figure out at times.

 

Leonard is one of those fighters that finds a way to win

Leonard by very close disputed decision

 

The last 30 seconds of each round are probably going to be amazing a very close fight and a classic i am going with gavilan but it is a fight where any result is possible