Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

So, who takes this little fantasy dust up fellas?

Here's my view...My old man would kill me for saying this but i'm going with Floyd. Leonard was somewhat of a slow starter but had the benefit of long, 15 round fights.

The scary thing is that we may not have seen the best of Mayweather Jr. yet! He has muscle memory from that check left hook v. Hatton, those pillow gloves against De La Hoya was pathetic on GBP's part for guys weighing only 150 odd pounds and he showed different facets against Shane. Put Leonard up against Junior. in a 12 round fight, I think Junior. gets out to a big lead and holds on 116-112 being the brillient technician he is.

Floyds pops couldn't punch for ****, but he gave Sugar Ray fits for the first 5 rounds. There is no doubt in my mind that Ray would figure out Floyd Junior. by round 8, but by that time Floyd may have built up a 6 round lead and with only 12 rounds for modern day fights, I think Mayweather takes him 116-112 or 115-113. By the way anything north of 147, I would have to give it to Sugar Ray on quality of opposition. I may be in the minority at welter prediction, but at least 50 Cent would agree with me, lol!




Psyche. Nah seriously. Leonard would destroy him.

 

back in early 2009 i went to an gentlemens evening where the guest speaker was SRL among other things he was asked whether he would have beaten floyd mayweather jr and this was his golden responce " well you know what they say like father like son " brilliant

but in my mind t 147 over 12 rounds floyd takes it close but i think he takes it

 

Leonard takes a clear UD or a stoppage.

Leonard is just as fast, just as accurate, bigger and stronger. Floyd can't out box Leonard and he definitely can't out slug him. If Floyd boxes him he has a good chance of reaching the distance but not picking up enough rounds. However, Floyd has too much pride and would probably end up trading with SRL, forcing the ref to step in after Floyd has hit the canvas a few times in the later rounds.

Over 15 rounds Leonard definitely stops him in my opinion

 

Oh come on.

 

:nono

Mayweather is definitely capable of outboxing Leonard for spells, if not a prolonged period through the fight.

One area where Leonard is certainly more proven is his ability to get in the trenches and have it out - Duran I (even though he lost) and Hearns I are great examples of this..... whereas Floyd hasn't been subjected to an opponent that is capable of being a bad style matchup over the course of the fight - given his ability to make adjustments as he did against DLH, Hatton and Mosley.

Cautiously I'd go with Leonard on points - but a Floyd win definitely isn't out of the question here.

 

Thats class!!

 

Floyd wouldn't go anywhere near a boxing ring against Sugar Ray

If by some miracle Floyd grew a pair then Id have to go with Sugar Ray winning every round

 

Whats mayweather done above 140lbs to convince people he could beat an ATG Welterweight like Leonard? Leonard clear points or late stoppage.

 

i find that statement disgusting and having been made by some one showing no attemp to be impartial

 

Leonard in a close points decision is as good as it gets for Floyd. SRL outboxed the world class defensive boxer Benitez. He would do the same with Floyd IMO

 

Sugar Ray was more vicious than Floyd maybe that would be a facto. Both very quick hand speed and great footwork.

I'd go for Leonard by points in a very close fight..

 

Leonard was a better athlete, Floyd is the better student. It's hard because they both have blazing speed, Leonard had more pop but Floyd is more accurate. Can't argue with those who think Leonard takes it, it's just my view he gives Sugar Ray fits early with potshots and sustains in a 12 rounder.

Nothing original about this fantasy match-up of course, but was just thinking about it today as i was having one of those shitty days where you feel like you've accomplished nothing at work, all day. The thought of these 2 gents lacing them up just got me out of my funk.

 

Leonard has the options over Mayweather. The fight is as hard as he wants to make it.

Has the movement, workrate, stamina and skills to outbox Mayweather from distance for a clear points win. He also (I'd say) is physically stronger and punches harder if he wants the fight go to the trenches.

If someone can point me too a welterweight performance of Floyds that supports a case that he would beat Leonard then I'd be very interested to see it....;O)

 

You have to give any fantasy matchup to Leonard, he's proven he can come out ontop at the very highest level.

 

Nice one Slip. Can we have more fantasy fights threads? I know it's bull**** in the end but it aint half a lotta fun and gets a lot of debate going.

Yep, SRL may have been a slow starter but Dundee would've drummed that into him before a Floyd fight and on the mental aspect of things no way Floyd would've gotten to SRL pre-fight.

You'd get a cagey two or three rounds with a lot of feelers being thrown out but nothing to get people standing. In no way during this fight does Floyd trade, no way at all. SRL matches his speed and if an old Shane can hurt him then a prime SRL could definitely hurt him and SRL would take that move to the side or back and hit Floyd with a combo that could razzle dazzle him.

But it wouldn't reach that stage I don't think. Floyd would play the chess player for 12. Hearns and Leonard switched between boxer and fighter between themselves during their first fight but Floyd would be moving all night maybe coaxing SRL towards him and the ropes before potshotting him and moving away.

It may seem hard to justify it at welterweight but I just think Floyd would do enough to snatch a decision. 115-113 over 12.

A great event but not a great fight.