Cuevas got KO`d by Hearns in 1980, Ray fought Duran twice and then moved up to fight Kalule, then beat Hearns, had one more fight and then retired for three years with a detacthed retina, Cuevas didn`t winna nother title after being beat by Hearns.
You forgot his one fight comeback in 1984 against Kevin Howard where he retired afterwards again after suffering the first knockdown in his career.
Leonard retired for the first time after retaining his titles against Bruce Finch in 1982 and made a comeback in 1984 against Kevin Howard.
I underlines and bolded the part i was referring to. Cuevas was on a comeback trail aimed at getting "nother title".
I was going to post "Pipini KO 1!" to save you the effort but I see you beat me to it. So, you think Leonard would survive the first round? Surprisingly conservative prediction...
Prime for Prime my first thought was Ray would basically fight him like he did Pete Ranzany, upclose with a Mayweather shoulder roll looking for counters. But as I think about Ray’s approach to all time great punchers, he usually moves around the ring looking for opportunities to stick and move. He always advises this when he is working as an announcer. With that said I think he dances a bit early, maybe taste a bit of power of Cuevas, doesn’t like it, and then starts to get a closer, making him miss inside, and then letting his hands go. Ray is clearly superior in every regard except power, but this doesn’t matter because Ray is absolutely one of the smartest ring generals ever. He will find Cuevas’ time, land with quicker hands, and then starting tearing in Pippino. I admire Cuevas but he probably does not make the final bell.
Leonard by mid-rounds stoppage. Years later, dozens of pundit-wanna-be's on the internet will attempt to deny it ever happened because Leonard didn't grant Cuevas an immediate rematch.
As the Welterweight Champion his reign is great. Peak, prime Cuevas versus peak prime all the others, i take Pipino 81 % of the time. As far as his championship run against good quality contenders (& they were) who he absolutely destroyed, #1 Welterweight Champion ever. Excitementwise #1 Welterweight Champ ever. Along with "Little Red" the hardest puncher pd for pd I EVER saw.