Ray UD. Too many tools and the speed... speed kills. An older Duran did a number on him... can’t imagine what a prime Sugar Ray might do. This content is protected
Barkley with some minor difficulty. He was a huge, active middleweight that could hit hard, had heart and could go the distance. This is not prime Leonard, and he cannot cherry pick Iran until he is old and shot. Iran chases he around until hie corners Leonard and breaks him down. Iran by KO or UD. The only way to beat Iran at his best was to be incredibly crafty, excellent on the inside and could slip punches and set counters. Duran was the best at it. Leonard tries to be cute and gets destroyed.
Leonard is too smart for Barkley. He'd overcome the physical disadvantages like Duran was able to do against Iran. Leonard by UD.
Kalambay and Nunn beat Barkley without fighting on the inside much. Duran had to because of a severe reach disadvantage.. Even at 160 Leonard could move and box and use his speed advantage. Barkley is overrated based on beating a fragile Hearns.
Sugar Ray Leonard would use footwork dart in and out to outpoint Iran Barkley. For all of his toughness, Iran lasts the distance but Ray will not stand and fight him. Barkley cannot keep up with the speed of Leonard, and wears down late in the contest. Ray by unanimous decision.
Leonard wins by a fairly comfortable decision. Iran would always have a puncher's chance but Sugar Ray could always take a great shot and even circa 1987-89 would still be too fast and have too much variety.
This is very interesting. I have thought about it since Duran and Hearns fought Barkley. Barkley gave Toney and Nunn good fights and hit them at times, Toney says the best punch he was ever hit. He could get a punch in on guys. I think he rocks Ray often and this is a 50/50 fight. Barkley was awkward and could hit hard. Ray would not outclass him I know that. And Ray was a lot smaller.
Leonard from the Geraldo fight wins every round. Barkley gets out-classed quite thoroughly, and I don't rule out a stoppage. Leonard hit harder than Duran for my money, and he wouldn't be nearly forty when he fought Barkley. Leonard from the Hagler fight does similar, but I do rule out a stoppage there as that version's stamina was pretty poor. Barkley didn't really do much outside of beat Hearns, who he almost handmade to beat. Outside of being a big, gutsy guy for the weight, he didn't have all too much going for him. Decent power, decent chin, rudimentary skills, etc; but nothing out of this world. I unironically think Davey Moore was better.
Great point . The right Ray took in the 3rd round coming in (the 1 just before the actual shot that put him down) would've broken most fighters noses....than the 3 clean right crosses in the 11th round....Ray took em incredibly well..
Leonard would certainly win. Probably by decision, but he might close Barkley's eyes before then. I could see Barkley maybe stunning Ray a few times, maybe outslugging him a few times early, but I think after so long it would become a one-sided fight as Leonard would quickly figure out the best way to fight Barkley and stick to it. It does have the potential to be a B-leveler imo.
Look I'm going to be nice and explain this. I saw Barkley vs Tinley and Barkley lost but got the decision. Saw Barkley vs Sanderline and Iran won but it was super close. You don't struggle with those type boxers and beat a Ray Leonard who is light years faster then either one. I like Barkley. Always gave it his all. Heart of a lion. But watch the Kalambay fight and tell me Barkleys in Kalambays class- he wasn't. And he's nit in Leonards class either. Sure I'd like to see him fight Leonard back in the day but it would have had maybe 2 rounds of entertainment and then Ray would have been too much for him.