For the people that make lists and rank the all time greats in the history of the sport where does Benny land for you? P4P? As a Lightweight. He was lightweight champion for 8 years 1917-1925. Fought alot of good fighters. He was worshiped practically in his era as a standout for all time even then. He was compared and matched with Joe Gans in mythical matchups among writers and fans. Leonard a great boxer, quick ring IQ, a master of fienting a guy into knots. The Jewel of The Ghetto had both speed and power not mention educated footwork. Some film on him, he looks good against the eye test. What holds him back? He fought a long time ago. Fought at a time the sport was evolving to be all the way legal. So many no decision fights, alot of carrying at the time. He didn't win the Welterweight title though it appears he could done so without much problem. He accidentally KOd the Welterweight champion perhaps on reflex and had to go over and hit the guy while he was still down. It appears there was some business going on there. Anyway some notable boxing minds like Ray Arcel had Leonard and Robinson as two fighters on an island alone. He mentioned Benny Leonard's (mental energy) in the ring that surpassed anyone he had seen. Thoughts?
Inside top two all-time at Lightweight, and pound for pound I'd have him possibly just inside my top ten. Astonishing record, fantastic fighter.
I rank Benny Leonard no. 6 all time pound for pound and no.1 at lightweight, with a slight edge over Roberto Duran.
Benny doesn’t seem to get discussed here as much as he once was, or as much as he probably should, but I don’t think people rate him low. These things come and go in waves. You’ll see a lot of discussion about Monzon for a while and then nothing, a lot about Henry Armstrong and then crickets. Hopefully the pendulum will swing back his way.
With all due respect to Tony Canzoneri, Carlos Ortiz and a couple of other all-time greats, I believe Roberto Duran and Benny Leonard are the top two lightweights. My preference is Duran but if someone wants to go with Benny I have no problem with that. P4P-wise is a tough situation. Boxing has been around so long that even being the best fighter of a decade doesn't guarantee you a top ten spot I have Leonard at about #15 but that is not an insult. Top 15 of a sport that has been around for more than a century is freakin' amazing.
Chimes with my appraisal of Leonard , more than a few have him as top 15 ! in ATG, thinking I would struggle to name 14 above him on that list, of course the usual : Ali, Greb, SRR, Armstrong, Duran, Monzon, Louis, Charles ( divides opinion ) Paq, Mayweather, Napoles ? A case can be made he could be put in the middle of this list No ? stay safe guys
He could be number one but I'll leave determining that to the smart guys, well read guys and just plain more diligent fans. To me he's just a pretty boxer, one of the prettiest I've seen with a really, really cool name. Understand, kindly. I don't really read a lot of boxing stuff, I just watch the fights.
Agreed, Jel, my friend. I rank Leonard, a true innovator, as the greatest lightweight of all time. Although occasionally when I’m watching Duran…I could possibly be convinced otherwise. I also think that although you could conceivably rank The Ghetto Wizard anywhere from about 5 to about 15 p4p.. Personally, I slot him in right around 6 or 7.