Better Boxer: Robinson or Leonard?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by PaulieJ'z, Aug 5, 2012.


  1. PaulieJ'z

    PaulieJ'z Member Full Member

    248
    38
    Apr 19, 2011
    Who was the better pure boxer, Sugar Ray Robinson or Sugar Ray Leonard?

    Mnay can point to Robinson-Gavilan II, where after a great 6 rounds, Robinson proceded to out box the galiant Cuban.

    Many can point to Leonard-Duran II where Leonard put on a boxing display and completely frustrated Duran in submission.

    Who was the better "boxer" and why?
     
  2. BUDW

    BUDW Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,910
    811
    Nov 23, 2007
    Are you kidding? no question SRR
     
  3. MrBumboclart

    MrBumboclart Active Member Full Member

    663
    9
    Feb 17, 2012
    Sugar Ray Robinson is by far the better boxer. He is bigger, stronger, maybe not as quick, but tougher and just as graceful on his feet - maybe even more. He also jumped up to 160 way more successful than Leonard could. Can you imagine Sugar Ray beating LaMotta 5 times as well as the likes of Turpin, Fullmer and Basilio? I can't.
     
  4. PaulieJ'z

    PaulieJ'z Member Full Member

    248
    38
    Apr 19, 2011
    No, im not. I happen to think SRL was nearly as good as SRR and was better in certain categories.
     
  5. ripcity

    ripcity Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    20,449
    51
    Dec 5, 2006
    In terms of skills/ability/talent I'd give the edge to Robinson. Leonard however, was more constant, and won more of his big fights than Robinson did.
     
  6. hookfromhell

    hookfromhell Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,861
    48
    May 5, 2011
    I believe last time this thread was around, people said
    Leonard couldnt punch as well backing up as Robinson
    could. Ive seen much more footage of Leonard though.
    Agree? Id say Leonard was faster, and as versatile as he
    Was perhaps Robinson was even more versatile, with
    more power to boot.
     
  7. werety

    werety Active Member Full Member

    815
    11
    Apr 30, 2007
    When it comes to pure boxing I would go with Leonard although I think Robinson's overall package is superior. Leonard's match with Benitez was an amazing display of pure boxing and Robinson never really fought with that approach from the films I've seen of him.
     
  8. PaulieJ'z

    PaulieJ'z Member Full Member

    248
    38
    Apr 19, 2011
    +1

    It's a shame we don't have the film to see a welterweight SRR against Bell, Gavilan, etc.

    But I pretty much agree with your post.
     
  9. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

    13,249
    11,571
    Mar 19, 2012
    I think Robinson had better hand and footspeed though its marginal because they both were blazing. SRR had better power in both hands. He had better range.

    On the other hand I think Ray Leonard was better on the inside. A little better defensivley though Im not positve on that cause we dont have much to go on Robinson in his prime.
     
  10. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    18,092
    15,557
    Dec 20, 2006

    :rofl
     
  11. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    28,075
    12,983
    Jan 4, 2008
    He's right, though. Of his big fights, Leonard only lost to Duran, and quite arguably Hearns in the rematch. Robinson lost to Turpin, Basilio and Fulmer in title fights.

    To be fair, this question is hard to answer, because from what we have on film Leonard met vastly superior opposition. The version of LaMotta Robinson stopped wasn't nearly as good as the Hagler Leonard outpointed, for example.

    Would be extremely interesting to see Robinson against Gavilan, who's one of the few of Robinson's opponents who could perhaps compare to Benitez, Duran, Hearns and Hagler in terms of skill and overall quality.
     
  12. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    28,075
    12,983
    Jan 4, 2008
    Since he beat much better opponents - yes. Fullmer? For god's sake.

    I have much more problem seeing Leonard losing to Fullmer and Basilio.
     
  13. kingfisher3

    kingfisher3 Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,263
    1,729
    Sep 9, 2011
    robinson was proven better and with more talents but i admire leonard's tactical mind over most anyone.
     
  14. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    18,092
    15,557
    Dec 20, 2006

    This message has been brought to you from the official ESB spokesperson of ALI & SRL
     
  15. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    42,723
    264
    Jul 22, 2004
    Robinson was old against Basilio/Fulmer (something like 35-37 without looking it up), we're not picking up on Leonard losing against Norris are we?