Prime Ray Leonard v Hagler of Sibson fight, who wins?

Hagler may be able to force the issue from earlier and close the ring off better.

 

Although I think Leonard would be a live underdog, I pick Hagler to win convincingly.

 

Hagler wins by decision.

 

Very very interesting fight. Hagler of the Sibo fight for me

 

If we make it prime Hagler, then it would be unfair to not also make it prime Leonard. In which, Hagler would be the favorite, but Leonard's hand and footspeed would always be problematic for Marvin. Of course, he'd be sharper in the early 80s, but Leonard would be faster in the early 80s.

 

Hagler by UD. Would not be blinded by the BS and younger.

 

Given Hagler is a true middleweight and prime Ray Leonard was a welter, I’d have to say having an advantage of 15 or so pounds probably gives Hagler the edge.

He did tend to freeze up or fight conservatively in his bigger fights and the Hagler of Sibo hadn’t been in a really big fight before, so many he gives away enough to allow Ray to beat him. A version of Marvin who fought like he did against Duran for 12 or so rounds probably loses to prime Leonard.

It would be fun to see what kind of mind games Ray might run on Marvin. He might just hypnotize Hagler into fighting the wrong fight or overtraining or whatever.

Wonder what this fight looks like at catchweights (as the term is now understood — it once meant ‘you come in at whatever weight you want, I’ll come in at whatever weight I want’) at like 154? I think at that weight Leonard batters a drained Marv with a same-day weigh-in. Maybe even stops him.

 

Hagler KO

 

I'll plug the upset and a Leonard decision.

 

I was around back then and Leonard wanted nothing to do with that version of Hagler...and for good reason. Hearns, Mugabi and time created an opportunity where Leonard finally wanted to fight a diminished Hagler .

 

I think Marvin loses the first couple of rounds and then kicks into gear winning a hard fought but clear UD.

 

Hagler at that point was simply too great. Leonard out in 8 at the latest.

 

I see some history revisionism dropped. Leonard was an
consummate pro. He would've fought Hagler as early
1982 if he didn't have the eye injury. Claiming
"He didn't want any part of Hagler". is disingenuous
in my opinion, especially when considering he'd
already faced Benitez, Duran (twice ) Hearns
and Kalule at a higher weight, Leonard wanted
Hagler, his ego wanted and needed that challenge.
And the money they would've made in 1982
would have been record setting.
Personally I believe Leonard would've made
Hagler over think instead of letting his hand go,
and win a decision .
Even prime Hagler.