Ray from the Lalonde fight against any version of Tommy Burns you care to pick. Who ya got over 12 rounds?
Put them in 4oz gloves with a 20 round distance and who knows? burns is naturally bigger and very clever, although ray leonard is obviously dazzling. I go with burns awkward backfoot countering style and natural strength to give leonard problems who I see getting increasingly frustrated, and getting caught more and more coming in. by the end leonard is taking a beating and the police stop the fight in round 18
Because that is really a like for like comparison right? The bottom line is that Leonard's best work was all at welterweight, and he only fought at middleweight very late in his career. Burn's best work was more in the light heavyweight category.
That's slanted but valid. Leonard did beat a dominant middleweight champion through guile and skill. I would not diminish that accomplishment. He also KO'd a guy that Hamsho, Leslie Stewart, Czyz and Virgil Hill couldn't. Now, more importantly, have a look-see at Burn's chin-up, wide-legged stance... his chin-first attacks with zero upperbody movement... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klrGFMKgclY How is that going to go over against a lateral moving, pinpoint punching, quicker Leonard?
Which stiff, wide stanced, upperbodily immobile fighter did well against Leonard? And I am not picking Leonard but I would go with the Hagler/Lalonde version.
Jack Twin Sullivan was certainly able to out-smart and out-think Burns. I think Leonard is a fair bet to do so.
I'm hedging a bit. Lalonde hurt Leonard with a right hand. I'm sure Burns could. However, Burns was rather linear and predictable and came straight in, head up, chin out, which against Leonard, who was taller and as long as Burns, that would be consistent problem. Put a gun to my head and I will pick Leonard. And thus is our discussion of a heavyweight champion whose chances against a modern welter are questionable.