Benny Leonard was the greatest lightweight of all time - by a long way

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Manassa, Nov 4, 2009.


  1. Manassa

    Manassa - banned

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    Roberto Duran:

    Ken Buchanan
    Ray Lampkin
    Esteban De Jesus (x2)
    Edwin Viruet (x2)

    Benny Leonard:

    Willie Ritchie
    Johnny Kilbane
    Jack Britton (x2)
    Lew Tendler (x2)
    Freddie Welsh (x2)
    Soldier Bartfield (x3)
    Johnny Dundee (x4)
    Rocky Kansas (x4)

    Doesn't this just speak for itself?

    Yes, Leonard lost every once in a while, but you're talking about an era where you might fight four times in as many weeks. Nobody had a record like Leonard's back then apart from Harry Greb.

    You can say Duran was better, and use that as part of your criteria - but if accomplishments are what you go by, there's no denying Benny Leonard.
     
  2. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    thats very impressive, as much as i like Leonard and ive read afew figth reports and watched the film of him never really looked at his accomplishments.

    hat was teh criterea for your lists?
     
  3. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    I see you have changed your opinion,when I first read your posts ,you rated Duran number one.
    This demonstrates an admirable open mind and the capacity to learn.
    Or that, maybe, you are on the gear again.:roll:
     
  4. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    benny leonard's not in my top 10,sorry
     
  5. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Napoles and Duran would have beat the **** out of him at LW, Mayweather and Whitaker would clearly outbox and outspeed him at the weight. Great legacy or not, the number of names can get overrated
     
  6. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    ike williams would have KO'd leonard.duran would have taken him apart.:bbbimo
     
  7. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    That's an absurd notion that can't be backed by anything. You've lost before the argument has even begun.
     
  8. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    i think he meant P4P
     
  9. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    :nonono,he's not in my top 10 lightweights:deal.
     
  10. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    who you got instead of him then
     
  11. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    duran,williams,arguello,buchanan,brown,canzoneri,whittaker,armstrong,ortiz and one other that escapes me.
     
  12. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    how can you have arguably the most dominant Lightweight Champion ever. Aswell as other things

    not be in the top 10

    Lightweigth is very deep but i dont think theres 5 names i would have over Leonard.

    And as much as im a fan of Arguello he didnt do enough at Lightweight to be in the top 10
     
  13. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    arguello would get rid of leonard easily
     
  14. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Saoul Mamby and Ernesto Marcel were no walk-overs.

    To judge the standing of a fighter based on one criteria is incomplete -even if it is the most important critieria like "quality of opposition". That being said, a good case can be made about Leonard being the greatest LW who ever lived. I'd give him a slight edge with not only quality of opposition, but with ring generalship, and dominance as well.

    However, I do not believe that a strong case can be made that The Ghetto Wizard is greater than the Hands of Stone on a p4p basis. Duran's "longevity", "performance against larger men", and arguably "experience" pull him ahead there. Rightly or wrongly, I have Duran ahead partly because his win against Leonard and Barkley really magnify his greatness in his natural division.
     
  15. Manassa

    Manassa - banned

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