1980: If SRL had fought Cuevas instead of Duran....

In the 1980 window Ray had to fight Cuevas, I go with Cuevas because Ray was just moving away from the ABC TV created "wonder boy" label.

Plus Cuevas had already had a few "gut checks" and had supreme confidence in 1980......and Ray had "blinked" post Cuevas - Hal Volchect fight when they had actually met.

Cuevas' star burned out quickly after the 1980 window, and Ray would have won thereafter.

 

Leonard by UD. 15Rd.s

 

Leonard would take him, but Cuevas, with that bone breaking power would be a formidable and ever dangerous opponent.

 

Leonard went with Duran because he figured he was older, smaller, and easier than Cuevas.

I don't know if he could have taken Cuevas at that point. I think that post-Duran, Leonard became a fighter with as much testicular fortitude as style. I'd favor a points win for Leonard but there are land mines every minute in that ring.

 

In order fo Sugar to win this fight, Pipino must have nothing left otherwise he's going to break Leonard apart. Leonard if you recall did not like getting hit so it was wise of him to avoid guys like Pipino and Ayala

 

Leonard by late TKO.

 

Leonard would win this one probably as JT states...

But if he doesn't fight Duran and dip into that well in the first fight, and then find the mental resilience to come back in the rematch... Without having tasted the bitterness of defeat does he have what it takes to beat Hearns at that stage?

I'm not sure he does.

 

Yep. I've asserted the same. I don't think for a moment that Leonard would take Hearns had he not had the requisite experience that Duran I gave him. Hearns was hell, but Leonard already went there in Montreal.

 

Interesting speculation here re Leonard's maturation following the first Duran fight. I tend to agree with what is being said...Montreal was quite a learning experience. But I feel Leonard, beyond a doubt, proved that he had ice in his veins against Duran, and also keep in mind that Duran had to perform at an incredible level to beat Leonard that night in Montreal.
I'll take Leonard over Cuevas (pre Hearns) anytime. Cuevas was a force, but not on Leonard's level...my two cents.

 

i agree. loenar

duran was a formidable force at welter. superior to cuevas. anybody seen the palomino fight in 1979. duran was close to perfect in that fight

its a bull**** myth that leonard avoided cuevas in favour of duran

 

No it ain't. It's obvious.

Duran did not seem to carry his stonehands in the WW division and everyone knew it. He didn't stop Palomino and struggled a bit against Wellington Wheatley. He was 5'7 and pushing 30. He was a natural LW.

Cuevas was bigger and was handing out concussions like candy.

 

Duran never would have beaten Leonard unless two factors converged that converged then:

1. He was as well-trained and as on fire.
2. He was no older. Duran never had legs after that fight. He never demonstrated the ability to close the distance so quickly again.

In sum, Duran had to be the optimum level to beat Leonard and even then would only beat him by a SD if you ask me. Otherwise, Leonard would make it look it easy as he did against a non well-trained version (II) and against an older version (III).

 

cuevas never had the skill and speed of duran. don't forget leonard beat the great wilfred benitez to win the wbc title. benitez was much better than cuevas

 

cuevas never had the skill and speed of duran. don't forget leonard beat the great wilfred benitez to win the wbc title. benitez was much better than cuevas