Better fight: Leonard-Hearns 1 or 2?

I love the rematch but I gotta go with the first one, as it's probably my favorite fight in all of sports. Like there was just so much going on in that one. Two young guys at the peak of their powers. Emulating Ali's style while Ali is sitting right there in the front row seat. Both guys adjusting and counteradjusting from slugging it out to outboxing each other. The iconic line from Angelo Dundee. Ray Leonard losing his one eye just for this career defining win, it's just everything I love about the sport, legendary type stuff.

 

the first fight they were both prime and dominant. it was the perfect time for a unification match.

the second fight they were post prime and not at their best weights, especially Leonard.

The first fight was much more significant

 

I thought the first fight was better, but have much fonder memories of the second fight, as I attended the live closed circuit event in Atlantic City with my father. We both felt that Hearns won it in a close one.

 

Fight number one.

 

Apologies, haven’t read the whole thread.

Fight 1 imo.

I guess someone has already made the comparison to The FOTC vs The Thrilla in Manila?

Plenty of drama and relative competitiveness in the follow up fights but the first go arounds were when they were actually at their absolute best, or near enough to.

Leonard turning from boxer into slugger in fight 1 was something else.

That version of Tommy at WW was a fearsome proposition but Ray ultimately found a way.

 

Thank you for recognizing that the hitman took that eye, I think I’m gonna rewatch this fight tomorrow.

 

Two boxers at the absolute peak of their powers and you have to ask this question?
The puncher becomes the boxer and the boxer becomes the puncher and then they reverse rolls again.

 

Yeah the fella above

 

I seriously need to follow that guy. We appear to be kindred spirits. Though he waffles on a bit more than I do - I mean, get to the ****ing point already.