David Haye is one of my more recent examples. After seeing him take Nikolai Valuev’s title and then dismantling John Ruiz and Audley Harrison in title defences, I brought into the hype and thought that he had a very good chance of catching Wlad Klitschko cold in their unification fight just like Corrie Sanders had done years earlier and stop Wlad in the early rounds.
Jake Lamotta from Raging Bull movie until I actually saw him. Up until then I thought "who is this guy who is killing everyone in the ring and no one recognizes him?" Then I finally saw the real Lamotta and was very disappointed. The move industry can make an average fighter seem larger than life.
Jake was no average fighter- but he pales in comparison to the puncher he’s made out to he in the movie for whatever reason.
I have Leonard as the least of the fab 4 because - He was beaten by Duran, Hearns, and Hagler. That is the truth of it. He fought only 40 fights, and was beaten 4 times officially - But in truth he should have lost 2 more. So his record is not that great. He has 2 legit wins, Benitiez ( who Hearns beat more decisive) and the first Hearns bout. He was a ATG, but all the other fab 4 fought longer and had better wins over time. Leonard just does not stack up to the others.
Your score for a Hearns rematch that happened almost a decade after their primes, and the Hagler fight is not 'the truth of it'. He lost three times officially, not four. Two of them while hopelessly far past his best. How did Hearns beat Benitez more decisively? Leonard won nearly every round and stopped him - although it's a bad stoppage - but Hearns got dropped and the fight was clearly closer. I don't see any way the Hearns rematch out-weighs the first fight. He made Duran quit, how's that not legit? Also, if their fights while well past their best are to be included, he pitched a shut out over Duran while Duran was middleweight champion. If the Hearns rematch is being held against Leonard, the Duran rubber match can be, as well. There's no way you can have him below Hearns.
He certainly doesn't have their longevity. And look at his record, not to mention, those two gift decisions. The record books should put asterisks next to them explaining the situation. I know that back in the 80s it was fashionable to call him fighter of the 80s but we are in 2021 now and people have certainly become wiser He was talented. He was gritty, and exceptionally well spoken. I like to think of him as one of the best ever but you're right; he falls short when compared with the others
That was no knockdown even if the ref called it one. The punch completely missed as Hearns moved away from it and Benitez stood on his foot.
People seem to hate Leonard for all the reasons they love others as a fighter he was Hearns, Wilfred and Durans master... but seemingly because he isn't rugged or "street" and mostly a tad obnoxious and boastful in the wrong ways (In my eyes) They try so hard to change been and gone history... He beat Hagler after Mugabai so he was still dangerous I do not go with the myth of SRL waiting to age Hagler I think he saw that fight as a sign to try. Before then I do not think he contemplated fighting Marvin. people hate on Leonard for not moving up and staying and dominating WW and ATGs at there natural weights bar Duran but love Hagler for beating ATGs coming up stairs even further and owning MW?... he beat Hearns in his prime, He refused to stay idol and took a rematch with Duran straight away and outclassed one of the biggest prodigies in the history of the sport in a prime Wilfred what more did they expect of Ray? all he could have done better was fight Hagler earlier why should he have? he fought the best and beat the best as a boxer he was one of the greatest of all time.
Definitely seeing a rise in Leonard hate since Hagler died. Won’t be long before someone says that Haglers death can be directly traced back an linked to the robbery loss against Leonard, ha,ha.
