Which Sugar Ray is greater?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Devon, Sep 16, 2020.



  1. Devon

    Devon Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Who is greater Sugar Ray Leonard or Sugar Ray Robinson, I don’t mean who would’ve won, I mean who should be rated higher?
    Just to take things into consideration
    Robinson - 2 weight world champion
    Leonard - 5 weight world champion
    Resume (Best wins)
    Leonard - Hagler, Hearns, Duran x2, Benitez, LaLonde
    Robinson - Lamotta x5, Turpin, Basilio, Graziano, Fullmer, Olson x3, Gavilan
    Who deserves to be rated/ranked higher?
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2020
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  2. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Is this really a questions?
     
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  3. Devon

    Devon Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Yes, because most would say Robinson, but Leonard was a world champion in 3 more weight divisions than Robinson and I think Hagler would’ve beaten all on Robinsons wins and I also think Hearns would’ve beaten most
     
  4. Oddone

    Oddone Bermane Stiverne's life coach. Full Member

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    Assuming you’re just new or a little green and also assuming this isn’t a blatant trolling thread the answer is Sugar Ray Robinson.

    Moving around weight classes and cherry picking up a title at different weight is meaningless to be honest.

    For example: Ray Leonard fought at 168 catchweight clause against Lalonde for the Light Heavyweight title.

    For example: Canelo fought Kovalev without giving him proper time to train and with rehydration clauses.

    Robinson fought in an era with less safety (6 oz gloves not 10 oz) and he boxed for over twenty five years and 200 professional fights. Sugar Ray Leonard had 40 professional fights.

    Robinson faced everyone, at their prime while Leonard waited for Marvin Hagler to age before challenging him and getting what most consider to be a gift decision.

    I won’t go as far as to call Sugar Ray Leonard a made for television fighter, but when it came down to it Ray Robinson was a true warrior and Ray Leonard was a businessman who could box.
     
  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    If we compare signature wins then Leonard has a few of them which probably trumps Robinson’s top victories. But I’d say that the latter of those two men kills the other on both depth and longevity. As for winning belts in more divisions, it should be noted that Jr. middle and super middle weren’t even in existence in Robinson’s time.
     
  6. red cobra

    red cobra VIP Member Full Member

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    Does the thread starter know anything at all? Of course it's original Sugar Man...
    This content is protected
     
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  7. Devon

    Devon Well-Known Member Full Member

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    But when Robinson fought Maxim and challenged for the title, you could say that was a cheery pick, people criticise Canelo for ‘cherry picking’ Kovalev, but never say Robinson cherry picked maxim, but Kovalev is miles better than maxim
     
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  8. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'd really just like to talk about the Hagler-Leonard fight again.

    Ray won, you know.
     
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  9. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Joey Maxim was the light heavyweight champion of the world. There were no others to select.
     
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  10. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Wrong answer.

    Post smarter.
     
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  11. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    Great post.

    Hey Devon. Guys like SRL, DeLaHoya and Pacquiao won belts in 5 or more weight divisions with splintered titles. Besides SRL, I'm not even sure if they were undisputed champs in at least one division. In SRR's day, he won World Championships, not title belts.
     
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  12. C.J.

    C.J. Boxings Living Legend revered & respected by all Full Member

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    Only one Sugar Ray for me & that is Mr Robinson ( Walker Smith). Leonard to me is Sacharin Ray !! A very poor imitation
     
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  13. C.J.

    C.J. Boxings Living Legend revered & respected by all Full Member

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    He got the decision but that doesn't necessarily mean he won the fight
     
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  14. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    On what basis do you conclude that?
     
  15. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    If you asked the question & appear to not even know the differences in how many belts & divisions there were...
    And seem unaware of the vastly greater length & accomplishments of Robinson's career...
    I think you need to acknowledge you are a beginner in boxing understanding.

    And where is the evidence that Leanord or Hearns would beat all of SRR's competition?
    that is an unsupported premise-his opponents were quire good overall.

    Did you know that at one time Robinson was 122-1-2?
    And his only loss was to Lamotta-who he beat the 5 other times-who outweighed him by 16 pounds.
    Did you know how very often he fought-even literally 20X in 1950?
    Do you have any reason whatsoever to believe that the moden guys would do nearly as well fighting so much more often?

    How about that even after coming back from years off he won lost & regained the MW title several times?

    Leaonard was not nearly as accomplished, & I doubt that even he would claim he was as good.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2020