Some (dare I say it) critical comments after watching LEONARD v HEARNS I again....

Yes, I see that.

Morales vs Barrera I is the epitome of the sport for me. Perhaps I am to young to appreciate the subtlety in the Leonard/Duran I fight, but I will grow - as we all do.

 

First of all, I don't think Manny Pacquiao is unimpressive. I may have said a few things in the past that are distasteful, but that would have been in retaliation to a few disappointments. Manny is undeniably a world class fighter, and his style is going to cause problems for a 126lb Barrera - who liked a slow pace.

I think the Barrera that fought Kelley, Tapia, and Pacquiao is a different Barrera that fought Morales, Salud, and Sanchez. He fought Manny in 2003, after a run of fights against old, once great, war torn champions. Tapia, who was not a Featherweight, and Kelley, who was old and not the fighter he once was. Manny was a whole different story, and I'm not convinced Barrera knew how true that was going to turn out to be. All credit to Manny, however.

 

The suspense is provided by wondering whether Leonard can stop Hearns or will Hearns hang on for the points win. The cut in Hagler-Hearns provides a little suspense in that fight as well, we know Marvin will KO Hearns but can he do it before the cut stops the fight?

 

Not a lot of people will agree with me, but I think Barrera was one of the best 122lb fighters ever after his defeats to Jones Junior.

That is why it's confusing when you ask me which is a better Marco, 1996 or 2002? I don't think he was a motivated fighter after Morales II, but I also think he was better defensively and more well rounded than the 1996 version that fought McKinney.

In relation to Pacquiao, I think a more offensively minded Barrera would fair better against Pacquiao. Marco had blinding hand speed at 122lb, and this would have also improved his chances, as would his ability to go 12 rounds at a furious pace - like he showed against Morales in their epic fight in 2000.

Pacquiao is a great offensive fighter, but Marco had one of the greatest offensive arsenals I have ever seen as a Super Bantamweight. He never really showcased it at 126lb, though. Strange.

 

They're both amazing fights. I think Barrera-Morales is more acceptable to the casual viewer though...boxing purists can spend all day analyzing every punch, movement and gesture in Duran-Leonard I and come up with different ideas for each. It was like chess with punches.

 

It doesn't help having to watch it on shitty Youtube. I really need to get it on DVD. You just cannot fully appreciate a fight under those circumstances.

 

That fight in 1981 was incredible. They shifted roles several times and the ebbs and flow always changed. I thought Hearns/Leonard was the most incredible fight I have ever seen. I watched it live on what was called ON Tv back on that night. Hearns came in and couldn't hit Ray but he was using his jab and nailing Ray. Then Ray hit Hearns mid rounds and wobbled him after Tommy was dominating, Then Tommy started boxing and started to dominate again until Ray landed more punches. Ebbs and flows. Find a fight which went back and forth like either Hearns/Leonard fights. Those two guys were about evenly matched as you could get. Leonard/Duran I thought was more overrated-espcially Duran's win since he lost the next two fights easily.

 

It is best not to go against Roberto Duran at ESB. He is heavily favored over Ray Leonard - of that, I am convinced.

 

That fight was not a war.It was an active fight but not a war. If it was Duran's face would have been marked up. Hagler/Hearns was incredible punches landed and both guys throwing thier best.

 

When Tommy fought Hagler I did not know Tommy would lose. If you recall that Hearns was boxing at the beginning of round 3. He did that with Ray and was starting to hit Marvin with jab and more rights in round 3. Hagler/Hearns is one of the greatest fights of all time. I just do not think you like Hearns dinamita.