How do you guys see this one? I think it would have been an interesting battle for 10 rounds, then during the next 4, Monzon, in his familar late rounds comfort zone, batters cruelly and stops a weary Leonard in the late moments of the 14th, decking him teice in the process. Monzon tko 14 SRL.
I see a true middleweight that Monzon was taking this fight by late stoppage or UD. Leonard only had a handful of fights at Middleweight at the end of his career. They include a SD over Hagler, a draw with Hearns, a TKO over Lalonde, a UD over Duran, a UD loss to Terry Norris and a TKO loss to Camacho. The only good fight was the one with Hagler in my opinion, since Hagler was the MW champ at the time.
This one would play a lot like Duran-Leonard I Monzon is a meaner, bigger natural middle-weight version of Duran Sugar makes a brave display, but he is a world of pain against a relentless puncher
In both Monzon - Nino Benev. fights, Nino got pounded into the ground. SRL would end up looking like one of those "bobbleheads" you see in the back of cars.
I think that Leonard wins a decision. Monzon was bigger and perhaps naturally stronger but he was slow, something that leonard could capitalize on, especially in his prime. In Monzon he would be facing an opponent that was taller and possesed a longer reach (like thomas hearns) but without the speed/power factor. I feel that he would be able to get in and out with his vastlly superior footspeed and land swift combo's without suffering much retribution. Ray had a great chin and Monzon was not a 1 punch ko artist so Monzon would have to land consistently in order to stop him. I couldn't see this happening because of ray's speed and elusiveness which would always leave Monzon behind. Also, He wouldn't have to worry about Monzons punch as much as he did Hearns so he would be less leary about stepping to him when he needed to. Also take into consderaton the fact that while leonard may not have been the biggest or the strongest foe , he would have been the best fighter that Monzon ever faced. None were more intelligent or more skilled. If it was the Leonard that faced hagler i feel that he would still win but it would be tougher.
i see monzon grinding him down and as the TS said, brutalizes him after the 10th. monzon would keep him at the exactly distance and the exact pace he wanted him to. i see monzon as the superior ring general which would be the key factor
