You can't compare old school fighters to modern fighters. It's not valid comparison. Apples to oranges. Like I have said before. The old school fighters did not make a lot of money, so had to take so many fights just to make a decent living. I have seen SRR lauded for being able to throw these beautiful combinations while moving backwards. Sure, that's very easy to do when you are facing a bull like laMotta. He would not be able to do that against Leonard. SRL destroys SRR at welterweight. So does Hearns, Benitez, Donald Curry, etc.
Yeah in the 30 years between Robinson and Leonard the entire make up of the human race had changed, boxing had soared to heights beyond the imagination of the 40s Those guys in the 90s? They'd be food for legends of the game today. Pernell Whitaker could never beat Teofimo Lopez.
IDK I'm rather bias as I thought SRL didn't beat Hagler. So I'd imagine the best version of Sugar Ray Robinson would walk all over Leonard.
SRR holds all the power and speed ratio benefits that Hearns held with infinitely better experience, tricks, durability, ring IQ and stamina. SRR at his pomp is like a blend of the best of Leonard and Hearns. If anything it probably plays out better for Leonard if he tries to keep it more Benitez fight like than ship rounds and hope to go to the body and stop Robbi - not happening!
You'd think there's no film of guys from the 40s exhibiting a wide array of skills and nous that you rarely see top operators showing today - especially some of the infighting, feinting and countering ability.
This bout would be a spectacle of technique but also a Battle Royal once the fight got underway. Hard to pick a winner but I plump for SRR. His superior punch power makes difference.
I've been pleasantly surprised by what I've seen from the Docusen fight footage. Robbi's headmovement and reflex look completely different from his MW self.
Christ Almighty... Anyway, the serious response to this question is-- Robinson wins. Competitive yet clear. Leonard was slightly faster, but Robinson's edge in power and chin is bigger than Leonard's edge in speed. Robinson was also taller and rangier. Leonard has a good shot if it remains a chess match, but TBH I think both guys were too offensive-minded for a chess match. It would turn into a fight in the later rounds, and that's when Robby's bigger firepower and better chin would spell the difference.
Im going to assume this is at WW since it was both men's best weight. SRR in a very close decision. I would pick Leonard to win 1 in 3 if they had a trilogy.
Robinson possessed the best attributes of both Leonard and Hearns. He was far more durable than Leonard too. Leonard would not be able to steal the rounds in the last 30 seconds as he did in several of his biggest wins. Robinson would be countering just as fast and hitting harder.
Both at their best, I Can't think of anything Leonard could do to beat Ray Robinson in a 15 round fight. Honestly the best fight Leonard ever fought was his losing effort against Duran in Montreal and against a prime Robinson it's a steeper mountain.