This is actually my profession. You’re welcome to pretend to know about eye problems, but I can assure you that nothing resembling recovery was taking place in his eye after the first year. I’d he’d wanted to fight, he would’ve done like Spence did (similar injury, better outcome).
On November 9, 1982, Leonard invited Marvin Hagler and other boxing dignitaries to a charity event in Baltimore, Maryland to hear him announce whether he would continue his career. Standing in a boxing ring with Howard Cosell, the master of ceremonies, Leonard announced his retirement, saying a bout with Hagler would unfortunately never happen. Leonard maintained his eye was fully healed, but that he just didn't want to box anymore.
I never claimed to be a psychologist, that’s someone else, but some of us do have real professions beyond filmmaker/historian.
I'm going with Pac in this one. When he defeated Thurman, Bradley, Algieri and Solis, they had a combined record of 114-0-2. None had ever lost a professional fight. Ever. You can't say anything like that for Leonard's opponents. Crunch the numbers, guys. Crunch. the. numbers. See, that is my main problem with Leonard's resume. There is a serious dearth of challenges from quality opponents on it-in the win column anyway. When you compare it to Pacman's, of course. If you compared it to a modern ATG's like Gamboa, it's actually a little better. But Leonard's numbers aren't there. He is a numerically challenged ATG.
I'm from leonard's era but i have to go with Pac here. too many achievements to speak of Too bad he didnt beat Floyd, but then, who has?
those historians really dont have much useful education. they usually end up working in museums or libraries some end up teaching at the college level, but you can never really trust anything they tell you
Good thread. My opinions: The better fighter when at their absolute best: Ray The fighter with the better wins: Ray The winner had they have fought each other between LWW-JMW: Ray Accomplishments: Manny Deepest resume: Manny Longevity: Manny Overall better fighter and career: Ray
This is a tough one. Ray was a better boxer/h2h, but that doesn’t tell us anything about which of them were “greater.” Leonard’s wins over Hearns, Benitez, Duran (Duran had 4,765 shifting excuses after the fact though), and (post-prime) Hagler are amazing accomplishments, but Manny beat several Hall of Famers himself, and I like his longevity and rise through weight classes. So it’s Manny for me.
The 154 title was contested at a C-W. It should never have been allowed. However, he deserves huge credit for fighting and beating Marg.
Prime for prime, I think that Ray was a better fighter. Those fighters that you’ve mentioned were great fighters, but Ray was on his way out then. They came on the scene and we’re in their primes between the end of the 80’s, and the early 90’s. Ray only fought 3 times in the late 80’s, and then just twice in the 90’s.
The last part for me is why Pacquiao edges it, longevity and more padding and quality wins overall. But it comes down to what you prefer, does SRL's 4 all time great wins trump Manny Pacquiaos dozen or so quality wins. For me I prefer the longevity but I can see why people will disagree.