Ray Leoanrd picks the best he ever fought...some surprises

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by McGrain, Dec 24, 2011.

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  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    From this months Ring.


    BEST OVERALL FIGHTER: Wiflredo Benitez
    He proved to be identical to me as far as offense and defense. It was like looking into a mirror...I ended up going to hospital after that fight, no energy. That was teh closest thing to death for me, you know? He was the epitome of what a fighter should be.


    BEST BOXER: Wiflredo Benitez
    A classic boxer with a capitol "B". He was the epitome of what a pure boxer should be. He never really got credit for the sort of bexer he was. He was a real tactician. He was a real boxer.


    BEST PUNCHER: Roberto Duran
    Duran's punches were like stone...i've never been hit and hurt to the body pretty much by anyone except Duran. Yeah, Roberto Duran.


    BEST DEFENCE: Floyd Mayweather Sr.
    It was Mayweather, even though I eventually got through it, it was Mayweather...I was almost unable to penetrate it.


    FASTEST HANDS: Tommy Hearns.
    He could hit you cleanly with a lead-off right.


    FASTEST FEET: Tommy Hearns
    Tommy Hearns again. Surprisingly, Tommy hearns. I had to become a puncher against him.


    BEST CHIN: Marvin Hagler
    Granite. Just granite. Has he even meeb knocked down? I saw him rocked by Mugabi. I sam him rocked by Hearns. Even Obelmemias rocked him. But I've never seen any signs of him repreesenting the true definition of being hurt.


    BEST JAB: Tommy Hearns.
    Piston like jab. It was delivered with speed. It hurt. It was accurate. It was like a right hand. It was almsot always on target. Tommy could have beaten Marvin Hagler with that jab.


    STRONGEST: Marcos Geraldo.
    When I beat that guy, in that small ring, with that eldery referee, God bless him, I knew that I could beat anybody. Did you see him when he hurt me? That fight resonated with me. It gave me the msot confidence. When that guy hurt me bad, I took some shots.


    SMARTEST: Benitez




    So, Benitez comes of tremendously well, Hagler not so much, Hearns as a speedster rather than a puncher and Duran, the forum's pick for best of these boxer's i'd bet, is "reduced" to being the best of the punchers.

    Thoughts?
     
    McGrain, Dec 24, 2011
    #1
  2. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    It's indicative of how great Benitez could have been,had his self-discipline matched his talent.
     
    Stevie G, Dec 24, 2011
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  3. FastHands(beeb)

    FastHands(beeb) Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I think what we have to remember is that this is SRL's evaluation of the fighters when he fought them. The version of Hagler SRL fought was significantly diminished from Hagler at his best.
     
    FastHands(beeb), Dec 24, 2011
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  4. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Not to mention that the version of Duran he fought was a full two divisions up from his peak and had more fights under his belt than Marvin ever had.
     
    JohnThomas1, Dec 24, 2011
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  5. FastHands(beeb)

    FastHands(beeb) Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Very true...great fighters indeed!
     
    FastHands(beeb), Dec 24, 2011
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  6. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    As there's no mention of Kalule I hate Ray more than ever and am glad he was nonced up.
     
    Flea Man, Dec 24, 2011
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  7. Goyourownway

    Goyourownway Insanity enthusiast Full Member

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    It's about time that Mr Hearns received his just due for being the speed demon that he truly was - most acknowledge his speed,but rarely is he ever credited in the same manner Leonard was for his.
     
    Goyourownway, Dec 24, 2011
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  8. manbearpig

    manbearpig A Scottish Noob Full Member

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    :lol: ffs
     
    manbearpig, Dec 24, 2011
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  9. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Whats wrong with you ?

    Ps. Kalule was never on these guys level anyway.
     
    Bill Butcher, Dec 24, 2011
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  10. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    I've been accrediting him for years. Emmanuel made some awesome comments on this topic many a time. Hearns handspeed was sick, and his combination of speed and power possibly unmatched ever.
     
    JohnThomas1, Dec 24, 2011
    #10
  11. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    Are you thick? First of all, it was a joke, secondly not on the level of Floyd Sr? Log out :patsch
     
    Flea Man, Dec 24, 2011
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  12. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    After all these years i'm still diggin' ya work!
     
    JohnThomas1, Dec 24, 2011
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  13. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    :good I find it hard to believe that after all these years people still can't see when I'm making a quip or not ;-)
     
    Flea Man, Dec 24, 2011
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  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Well i knew, and i've barely been on in years :lol:
     
    JohnThomas1, Dec 24, 2011
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  15. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    :lol:

    Interesting thread McGrain, goes to show that he was talking **** all those years ago when he said Ayub was his trickiest foe.
     
    Flea Man, Dec 24, 2011
    #15
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