Could Leonard beat a prime Hagler?

I often think it would be helpful to dig up all the pre fight articles and interviews which question Leonard's sanity and fear for his health and give him absolutley no chance. That was the feeling of the time. Anything else is revisionist history.

 

he probably could but doubt he would. hagler by late ko.

 

I remember it well, and also recall what an underdog he was. Following the match, it was viewed as one of the best single victories in boxing history, but now all of a sudden 24 years later on some obscure internet forum, its been reduced to, " Hagler was old," or " Hagler was robbed. "

 

And just how is that evidence? I suppose Foreman taking a year off after losing to Ali and then retiring soon after is evidence of him being further past his prime, as well?

A lot of bad posts in this thread.

 

I think of all the revionist BS on this forum about a victory this one surely takes the price. If one knew nothing about boxing except what's to read here one would probably think that Leonard nipped the title from a poor old man like he would candy from a child. With this rate, it's probably going to be rated a bit below Calzaghe's victory over Jones soon enough.

Because Leonard only beat "bums and old men", right.:yep

 

Leonard was a very smart calculating guy that managed his carrer well, abit was a great fighter. If Leonard thought that he could of beaten Hagler he would have tried, but he did not as he knew he would have lost.

I think that Leonard would have done well vs Hagler with his speed, but Haglers power would have prevailed and he would have won a closish but clear UD.

 

I think he was the more faded fighter, but not at a greater disadvantage. Marvin had been slipping for a couple of years by this point, and Leonard has even admitted he saw this. The Mugabi fight more than likely was all Leonard needed to see to be sure of Hagler's deterioration.

Even the Hagler of the Leonard fight was a great fighter, but his all around speed had deteriorated. More so than Leonards imo.

I don't believe the only reason Marvin left boxing for good after the Leonard fight was because of his disgust with the decision and being unable to get Ray to agree to a rematch. I think deep down he knew that he was on the downward slide of the hill and knew that it was going to be harder and harder each fight for him to compete at the level he once did.

 

It is staggering to see some of the idiocy that circulates around this topic. There are more Leonard haters on this forum than there are fans or detractors of any other fighter.

 

would he beat him? who know...

could he beat him? absolutely yes.

 

Is that was Hagler said himself, or are you just assuming that this was his reason for leaving the game?

Thought, yes.. But obviously he couldn't.... He was decked three times in his next two bouts, against an aging Hearns and the obscure Don Lalonde. Obviously he had diminished... The only difference between Leonard and Hagler is that we saw evidence of Leonard's deterioration in other fights, outside of the one that they had with each other..

 

That is your opinion, along with a few others.

Why is the thought of your Leonard who is one of the best WW being beaten by one of the best MW in Marvin idiocy?

 

That was hilarious logic.

 

are we talking prime Leonard or the past prime version that Hagler fought?