Joe Gans vs. Benny Leonard

Leonard was asked his reaction on being compared to Gans,he replied," if they have to go back that far for a comparison I'm content".

 

Any fight involving Gans, Leonard, Duran, Whittaker and Armstrong is too hard to call. So many arguments for each.
On this one, I have to go with an "uncuffed" Gans. Should really have a win against Joe Walcott, and did well to make it competitive with Langford, despite the well documented circumstances.
It won't be easy, but I pick the Master over the Wizard.

 

Benny Leonard was like Muhammad Ali in that he was fighting for more than just a paycheck or personal fame. He was to the Jewish community what Ali later became to the black community.
He had a cause and if he got knocked down he knew he wouldn't never stay there because 'i had nothing to be afraid of'
A guy like that is damn near unbeatable.

 

A draw. Both great fighters.

 

Great fight! My money is on Leonard but it’s a close one

 

I chose draw or too close to call, as I think the top 3 for sure maybe even top 5 LW's of all time on any given night any one of the 5 could win against the other, I don't agree that there is 1 clear LW that would be the rest a majority of the time.

 

I think this would be the one fight in history I'd like to see more than any other mythical matchup. I'd give Gans a ever-so-slight edge with his power matched with his elusiveness, but Leonard's skills are so well rounded that he could just as easily take it. Either way, it'd be the fistic equivalent to watching two all time Jazz artists trading improvised solos, just utter brilliance to behold.

 

I feel Gans was the more skilled and the bigger puncher. Longer fight would favour him but I still feel he gets its done.