SRR vs SRL. Who wins?

Robinson by UD in 15. But it would be a very competitive fight.

 

I still take Robbie but love him, hate him or anywhere in between, recent rewatches of SRL at his very best duly reminded me of how special a fighter he was.

Leonard really was the whole package but so was Robbie with that bit more in his kit bag to get over the top of Ray Charles I think.

 

I've always favoured Leonard in this matchup personally. I think his defense was probably a little better, and I'd say he was also better on the inside than Robinson. While Robinson is the better overall offensive fighter, I think Leonard was a little faster and tighter with his shots, which would allow him to still come out on top in their exchanges. Robinson would win the battle of the jabs but not by much, while Leonard would generally be landing the more significant shots in the fight, though again also not by much. Whenever the fight made it's way to the inside I think Leonard would get the better shots off, save for when Robinson would unleash his flurries.
SRR scoring a KD *could* happen, but I wouldn't bet on it.

By the end of the fight I think Leonard wins a close decision by maybe a round or two.

 

In a one-off I pick SRR but if they fought as many times as SRR fought LaMotta, Fulmer and Basilio or SRL fought Hearns and Duran, nobody is batting 1.000.

 

It can be kneejerk to see SRL as the cheaper later imitation of SRR but he is so much more than that. I think Robinson wins a competitive decision. Leonard would have to be cautious and wouldn't be ablre to take liberties due to Robinsons immense power, flashing hands and willingness to exchange heavy artillery. Leonard would be looking to get his flurries in and get out of there. He'd have some success, but Robinson's attacking versatility, array of punches and willingness to go to the body HARD would see him prevail in a glorious encounter. I don't count out Leonard winning one over a trilogy but it sure wouldn't be easy. Robinson at 147 might be the hardest guy to beat at any weight in the history of the sport. His strengths are ridiculous and he can go seriously hard versus any style that stands across the ring from him.

 

The greatest welterweight and overall boxer in history, ( Robinson) versus the second best welterweight in history ( Leonard)
Boxers so similar in styles, aggression, skills, and physicality they were almost mirror images of each other.
But there's slight advantages Robinson would have.
Mainly, experience, meaning, as great as Leonard was, Robinson would still be able to adjust to whatever he did.
Robinson had over 90 pro fights before his first pro loss.
Think about that for a minute. Quite a few of those 90 wins were against fighters considered ATG'S. They were not just scrubs or second raters.
Leonard for all his greatness can't match that consistency against upper echelon competition.
There is no shame in coming in second behind Ray Robinson, especially when considering the greatness of talent that's been through the welterweight division.
In my opinion the best division in boxing history overall.
Robinson vs Leonard prime vs prime would be a barn burner for 15 rds , But Robinson would be the winner.

 

Robinson wins 11 - 4 in a lopsided bout. Leonard does not ask for a rematch

 

Hi Flash.
I am finding it hard to disagree with any and all your sentiments, and see the fight panning out as you have outlined, thanks.
Mike.

 

Prime Leonard is too good and too alike in skillset to lose 11 - 4.

I think Robbi beats him and if Leonard fights the wrong game plan, it's comprehensive but I see it more a 9 - 6, 8 - 7 affair than as wide as 11 - 4.

 

Robinson is the much busier fighter and would keep Leonard on the defensive, being too wary to take chances. Robinson's offense is a little too awesome for Leonard and causes a knockdown but I wouldnt be surprised if there were more or even a tko for Robinson. Leonard goes strictly defensive from that point on. Because of this reason, the fight becomes lopsided (see the Norris fight to understand the pattern)

 

Leonard of Norris isn't Leonard of Benitez, Duran or Hearns in a similar way that Robinson of the Pender fights isn't Robbi of the Gavilan fights

I think Robbi is the superior fighter but he will be matched for will, skill and speed. What he won't be matched for is experience, tricks, dirtiness and power.

 

11 - 4 seems reasonable considering he's going up against the battle tested and possibly greatest p4p fighter of all time.

Ray also fell behind to the not so battle tested Hearns who faded late. No survival techniques, and questionable endurance, especially under fire

Robinson has no such holes, no weight issues, no chin issues

Leonard WILL fall behind, and there's nothing he'll be able to do about it. Same as in the Norris fight

 

Can't pick against the original Sugar.

 

Leonard would outbox Robinson. Robinson was easy to hit and Leonard was a much better ring general and tactician. Leonard was much quicker too.

Robinson was athletically several levels above his contempary opposition and this allowed him to get away with technical mistakes. Against someone at least as athletic who's fighting more tactically he'd come unstuck. And this is what happened against Gavilan, which most of the crowd believed to be a robbery.

 

Fans are fickle, and love an upset. Most sportswriters scored it for SRR. Labelling the fight a robbery is absurd.

On top of this Robinson came back and showed clear and obvious superiority in the rematch.