Which fight should have been Ray Leonard’s last ?

I’m thinking either Hagler or Lalonde maybe ?

 

The Hearns rematch if he wanted his career to end in an all time banger. Duran 3 if he just wanted one last payday prior to riding off in the sunset while having wins over everyone he ever fought.

 

It’s so obviously Hagler. Massive gamble that paid off. No other point comes near it.

 

Duran 3 to close the trilogy

 

I vote Lalonde, which gave him titles in 2 extra divisions, even if the circumstances were highly manufactured. I don't think the Duran win was worth the indignity of the Hearns "draw."

 

I have to agree. The Hearns fight showed that it was the beginning of the end

 

Hagler or La Londe.

 

He shouldn’t have fought into the 1990s. Losing to Norris and especially Camacho was a blot on an otherwise near spotless record.

 

After the Hagler fight

 

I think the Camacho fight was a good time to call it a day. Lets not pretend Hector was at the top of mount Everest as an opponent. A guy moving up that many divisions? And the sparkle and love for Camacho was long since gone by that time.

He was supposed to be another soft touch to prepare Ray for a big bout. But when those great reflex guys deteriorate, they sure do show a lot of vulnerabilities that were just not ever visable in prior bouts. Now we know about Norris and that strong run he had a t 154. So that can kind of be explained as a matchup problem with a youthful pedigreed champion at the time. But that was not Hector.

I actually gambled on both fights and believe me----you were very very nervous picking against Ray Leonard .

 

I'd say after the 3rd fight Duran winning the trilogy against Duran would've been a perfect way to retire, yes he had the controversial draw vs Hearns that many thought he lost. But it was still a great fight and I don't think it hurt Leonard's legacy too much in all honesty.

 

Lalonde

 

Agree.

So retiring after Duran III would exclude his next two fights, both loses to Norris and Camacho.

 

My selections too. The Norris fight was one too far and the Camacho debacle was painful to even watch one round of. What was so shocking was how easily Camacho manhandled Leonard.

 

HAGLER. That was his Kinshasha.