And Hearns had him almost completely confused through 12 rounds. Don't forget that. Leonard lucked out when Hearns fell apart.
He's bigger, but he doesn't have faster hands. Leonard could pull good shines. Manny has speed with power.
As the Pac train chugs along matches like this become more competitive in my eyes...Hatton and Cotto dont enhance Manny's legacy as much as some people make out but the way he dealt with them was impressive. He still takes a schooling from Ray though...I dont think he even makes the rounds..But Manny is getting to that point where he deserves to be put into these matches, he is in his prime now, he is the best Ive ever seen him.
I appreciate the artistry as much as anyone, and Pacquiao is doing great things, but anyone who thinks Pacquiao beats Ray at 147lbs is dreaming. He's probably the second best to have ever campaigned there. I don't even think it lasts that long, nor would it be very competitive. Ray gets Cotto out of there inside 5, and beats every single dude who's campaigned at Welterweight since his own reign. Ability wise, and excuse me if you think I'm being overzealous here, but Ray has a claim to be top 5 ever. The only thing stopping him from reaching those heights in a P4P list was his lack of fights...let's be honest.
Is that supposed to be relevant to the discussion? Hearns was a freakishly tall and powerful Welterweight. Manny Pacquiao doesn't compare with Hearns in any way shape or form. Also, Hearns fell apart as a result of shots that were landed by Ray..it's a little game we call Boxing. I can deal with Pacquiao vs Curry, Trinidad, and those level of Welterweights...but Ray is on another level to those guys.
I thought this thread was a joke. You mean, it isn't??? :huh You're telling me Pacman beats Leonard when someone like Thomas Hearns wasn't able to???
Sugar Ray Leonard has long been the most overrated welterweight of all-time. But Manny Pacquaio is more so now.
Leonard would batter him. And Leonard's hands were faster, Pacquiao might be busier with consistent speed, but Leonard could throw a punch faster.
What else are you going to do, deny that it happened? Norris wasn't afraid to hit leonard, that's why he pulled off a miracle. And since we're on the subject of Ray being hit, he wasn't that hard to nail. You think Leonard would chuckle after swallowing some leather? Was he chuckling after trial horse Howard layed him on the canvas? Did he laugh off Norris' blows to the face? What about Duran in round two of their fight? Geraldo in round 3. Lalonde? FYI, no fighter laughs off blows. And while Cotto does not match Leonard in skills as a boxer, he is surely his equal or better in the other catagories and still Pac overwhelmed him. Dundee and leonard would play it smart. They take few chances and will box early. That's how most boxers approach fights. If they see what they like and Pac isnt posing too much trouble he'll open up on him later but I see this going to the late rounds at the least
pacquiao can confuse people with da amount of punches he throws from his southpaw stance but leonard throws quicker combinations n dat wud confuse pacquiao.....leonard late stoppage
Pacquiao loses. Leonard is one of the best welterweights of all time head to head. Duran beat him, but Duran is better than Manny and it was the best performance of his career and it was still a close fight.
LMAO, Manny doesnt have the defense to get inside against Leonard, he gets hit on the way in and countered and timed silly by the better boxer. No it isnt completely easy for Leonard but he may completely dominate. He has 4inches in height and about the same or more in reach, while probably being the bigger stronger puncher. The fact is I can't think of 1 thing Manny does better than Ray. The Pacquaio fever will be over in 6months anyway
Leonard on his worst day UD. On his best Ko inside 7. Look I love what the little guys doing for boxing ATM but lets keep things in perspective here.