Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali were both showboaters. Which of them was the better fighter?

Ali might rank higher in terms of greatness due to his achievements outside the ring, but if the question you are asking is who is the better boxer ability wise, it's Ray without a shadow of a doubt.

 

Ray is better, Ali is greater.

 

That's the way I see it too

 

Perhaps, but IMO he had far better fundamentals than Ali, who relied a lot on his physical assets when he was young. That's why he always was susceptible to the left hook, did not throw a proper/textbook uppercut (he kinda telegraphed it), could not really block a return jab after he threw his, etc.
I'm sorry my friend, but IMO Ali was more flawed as a boxer than Ray. However, that didn't stop him from achieving great things. In the end, most boxers would say that winning is the most important thing, regardless of how you get there. Just look at Wilder for example, he ain't very skilled, but can take out anyone if he catches them flush.

 

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One would have to be marking incredibly hard to see a "lot" of weaknesses Mark. He's one of the most well rounded fighters we've ever seen.

 

Ali for mine. Greater and better and that’s not to diminish SRL, he was a superstar.

Ali was more dominant in his prime and had a long, long reign against quality opposition from two generations of fighters essentially. Leonard didn’t do that.

 

For sure. His opponents weren't seeing all these weaknesses.

 

I'm surprised so many are picking Ali.
Leonard beat Benitez, Hearns, Hagler and Duran. That's simply a level above what Ali did.
Ali beat who he had to beat, no qualms there. His opponents just weren't on the same level. It's not even close.
If you want to talk about cultural impact and global influence then of course it's Ali.

 

If were talking better skills, and power, with speed being even pound for pound,
Leonard was the better, more complete fighter. Leonard could fight inside or outside
with equal ability. Leonard also beat a more complete group of ATG'S than Ali
faced. Hearns,Duran,Benitez, and Hagler were better and more complete than
Liston,Foreman,Patterson, Frazier and Norton.
If were talking impact and greater longevity no doubt Ali, hands down.

 

Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard - two of the very....very greatest ever.

Leonard was the better boxer in the technical textbook sense - Better fundamental skills. Went to the body as well as the head. Pound for pound a harder puncher.
Ali,as has been said in this thread already,better at slipping shots. Both guys had heart in abundance. Muhammad had that Ingredient X.