Whatever 1991 version of Camacho you want, I don't really care that much. To be honest, it's been about a year since I've seen Camacho-Haugen, full fight.
Leonard can beat this version of Camacho because he was ready to be taken at the time. IF Haugen could do it, Leonard can.
I think leonard would find that finding Hector would be nearly impossible for him. Hector not only had amazing speed but his style combined with the southpaw stance would be too much for Leonard. I'm sorry but it's true. Ray Leonard would just have to wait for him to slow down. The plodding version of the 90's would make this a good matchup for him. I think he could do it. Don't ask me to lie and tell you Leonard would handle the 130,135 pound versions that dominated two divisions because I won't. That would be lying and I don't lie for anyone. The truth is, Leonard just didnt have enough fights against diverse talents, especially a talent like Hector Camacho. A win over young, fast talents like Terry Norris and Micheal Nunn would have helped him tremendously but unfortunately he just doesn't have them.
A prime(or close to prime)Leonard would've destroyed any version of Camacho with ease. Anyone thinking a 130-135 pounder would beat an ATG 147 pounder despite the fact that he barely squeaked by a guy like Rosario is simply not in his right mind. Then again, there's only one who would assume something that ridiculous.
How? History has shown many smaller fighters have proven too quick and mobile, tricky for the larger but slower man. Look at the Spinks-Holmes fight. Many felt Larry would man handle Micheal within six one sided rounds. This did not happen because Micheal with his upper body movement and quickness proved too elusive for him. Like they say in the sport of boxing, you might carry the bomb but you have to land it and land it cleanly. Would Leonard do this against Camacho? Was he capable of it? Not likely. We all saw the trouble he had with Tommy when he applied his style of hit and move. Leonard did very poorly. This cannot be denied. His own trainer told him this "you're blowing it son". We all heard it so there's no use trying to deny it. Imagine had Leonard not had the full 15 rounds, he would have lost. And Hector was the king of hit and don't get hit. No one was quicker or slicker. This is why I say Leonard would in most instances not be able to reach him and would likely spend the bout missing in frustration (ala Howard Davis Jr)
A better question would be: was Leonard a one punch knockout artist? We know Rosario was. Leonard had to rely on combinations and it's not likely Hector is going to stand put for Ray to land combinations. Just look at the Terry Norris fight. That fight proves my point beyond all doubt. Ray Leonard struggled mightily to land more than one blow at a time. Norris just wasn't there for Leonard to hit the way Kalule was. Kalule just stood in front of him the whole time but Terry was a much smarter fighter, less willing to make himself available to be countered. Whenever leonard got set to throw, Norris anticipated it and moved out of range every time. The result: a blowout. Hector is no less capable than Terry when it came to elusiveness and had about the same quickness when it came to scoring. Hector would certainly beat Leonard to the punch much more often than not. We can't deny that.
Leonard would win, he was much the bigger man. I had little time for Camacho, but he redeemed himself in that Leonard fight. Ray Leonard being knocked down by a jab, thrown by a featherfisted Macho Man to boot.... Probably the sweetest moment in boxing in the last 12 years IMO.:yep
