How come Sugar Ray Leonard didn't force Hagler into a catchweight?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Wladimirschin, May 31, 2013.



  1. afterglow

    afterglow Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,945
    9
    Oct 15, 2011
    Marvin had lost his passion for the sport. And it had taken a toll on him.

    Ray was fresh while Hagler didn't think he could do it anymore.
     
  2. turbotime

    turbotime Hall Of Famer Full Member

    41,854
    2,991
    May 4, 2012
    Leonard is as G as it gets **** the ring size.
     
  3. Momus

    Momus Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,732
    2,554
    Nov 27, 2010
    I think it's easy to overlook that Hagler-Leonard was a fight that took years to put together for a variety of reasons (some out of both fighter's control).

    I forget the exact timeframe but there was talk that Leonard wanted Hagler, who was not a particularly huge middleweight, to come down to 154 or a catchweight. It was probably a bit of kidology, but Leonard did say something to the effect that Hagler would be too strong for him at 160.

    Leonard was probably as good an opportunist as any fighter in ring history. That isn't in any way intended as a derogatory statement. His ability to to exploit opportunities in and out of the ring was almost uncanny. He was a master strategist inside the ring, and a pain-in-the-ass negotiator outside of it.

    Mayweather shares some similarities, but with Leonard the big fights invariably got made. The Canelo fight (even at a catchweight) is a notable step in the right direction for Floyd, and depending on the result and how Canelo goes from there, could well be one of his career defining fights.
     
  4. HellSpawn86

    HellSpawn86 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    11,340
    11,979
    May 6, 2007
    Ray Leonard had been retired and over time grew into the weight. Mayweather won't be at the weight permanantly. He will still be facing some guys at 147. After Canelo who else would he fight at 154? Probably no one.
     
  5. Sweet Jones

    Sweet Jones Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,674
    6
    May 24, 2007
  6. What do you mean though?
     
  7. victor879

    victor879 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    11,014
    41
    Dec 1, 2007
    Leonard negotiated for several conditions: a 24x24ft ring, 12oz gloves and the fight was to be over 12, not 15 rounds. If you don't think these had any bearing on the outcome of the fight. *shrug*

    Sorry if you're too young to know.
     
  8. Shut your ***** mouth. Ray Leonard is a God To me. You do NOT speak ill of my God.
     
  9. victor879

    victor879 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    11,014
    41
    Dec 1, 2007
    I enjoyed watching Sugar Ray as a kid. Great boxer. Literally THE boxer that got me following boxing from a young age.

    But facts are facts.
     
  10. PityTheFool

    PityTheFool Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    19,192
    6
    Oct 18, 2011
    So because Marvin said that he was less motivated because he was rich(silk pyjamas anyone?) that means he had lost his passion for the sport and despite his well earned riches, deep down he didn't really want to fight Ray?

    What is it? Ray was fresh because he was doing tough,competitive sparring?

    Or Marvin was weak because he had been fighting tough opponents?

    In conclusion then,Ray was not really retired because of closed doors hard sparring but Marvin was almost shot because he had had two or three competitive fights?

    With respect, that doesn't make sense.Do you think Ray stayed away for three and a half years because his passion was at an all time high?
     
  11. MAG1965

    MAG1965 VIP Member banned

    34,797
    58
    Dec 1, 2008
    exactly. And Hagler being the champion would not have done a catchweight, although I think he came in at 158 for that fight. He didn't look great for Leonard.
     
  12. bald_head_slick

    bald_head_slick Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    27,409
    0
    May 15, 2009
    Please state the weights FMJ and SRL started Boxing at.

    /thread.
     
  13. Rico Spadafora

    Rico Spadafora Master of Chins Full Member

    44,596
    2,734
    Feb 20, 2008

    tells me you haven't been a boxing fan very long. SRL dictated the gloves, ring size, where the fight was at, and just about everything else.
     
  14. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    20,232
    19,855
    Jun 26, 2009
    This.

    He drank Marvin's milkshake.
     
  15. The Masked Man

    The Masked Man Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,732
    5
    Dec 19, 2012

    Cause Ray knew it was bad enough that Hagler wasn't the same after the war he had with John Mugabi. He probably didnt want to add insult to injury by setting a catchweight. The fact that he wasnt the same anymore was enough for Ray to gamble it. Ray was great, but wat Ray did with Hagler was a bit shameful and i thought it was one of his two weakest moments as a fighter