Benny Leonard .Vs. Pernell Whitaker

ill break this down tommorow in more detail but i pick Pernell on UD in both of them

 

Leonard.

 

Hard to tell, dont think there`s a whole stack of footage of Benny but he sounds capable of beating Whitaker, definitely.

 

Whitaker has the more "awkward" technical style, but Leonard is the more well-rounded and naturally talented IMO. Whitaker was at his best against guys who came right at him or stood in front of him. I think Leonard uses his superior footspeed and fast right hand to win a close decision.

Either way, I think they're possibly the #1 and 2 lightweights of all time.

 

Well Leonard is really really great at maintaining a distance at which he is comfortable and wants to operate at. But still i must pick Whittaker based on what footage i have seen. But who knows?

 

From watching bits of Leonard I'll say Whitaker just has far more ability and wins but not easily, nothing too complicated stylistically there

 

1. Leonard
2. Whitaker
3. Armstrong (could swap with Whitaker)
4. Williams
5. Duran

Yes.

 

In terms of action i think i agree.

By rhe way M2S, is that a head to head list?

 

My #1 and 2 p4p and yes favroite boxers.
I would root for Benny Leonard but would not be disapointed if Pernell Whitaker won. At lightweight I think Benny Leonard is slightly more skilled. Pernell Whitaker is only a fraction behind Leonard in the skills department. Whitaker at 5′ 6″ with a reach of 69″ while Leonrd is 5′ 5″ and has a reach of 69″. I was prepared to pick Whitaker being the bigger guy but he realy isn't that much bigger than Leonard. Yes Whitaker did win tittles at 140, 147 and 154 and Leonard only one a world championship at 135.
While I rank Whitaker above Leonard p4p, I rank Leonard above Whitaker at 135. I don't think it matters if it goes 12 or 15 Leonard wins a very close decision.

 

Yes.

 

Two fighters from pretty much different sports.

If Whitaker goes back to the 20s, he gets schooled.

Leonard gets schooled in the 90s.

If they meet in some middle ground, I take Leonard pre 1960, Whitaker post....

 

Benny leonard is the classic boxer. Stands upright with a great left jab and a hammering right hand. Utilises great movement with clever boxing skills. One of the best 'boxers' ever. Benny was great at maintaining range and was very good defensivly.

He had a great jab that he maintained distance at and used as a weapn also to rack up points and make openings for his other punches most notably his hard right hand. He also used his movemnt to controll the distance with fast movements in and out of range and was a proper ring general.

Benny has mixed in a higher class than Pernell and fought much more tougher fights. Even past his best he gave Jimmy McLarnin hell early on. Benny was once said 'to be the only man able to box with a parting in his hair through 12 rounds.' That quote illustrates just how calm and cool he was in the ring. he was never flustered and was calm and calculating.

I think Benny is at his best against a more wild kinda fighter. He took Lew tendler apart in my opinion. Lew threw wilder punches and Benny picked him off down the middle. I think his cryponite could be a great infighter who uses alot of pressure, as Benny didnt move his head as much as i would like and while a good infighter he was 10x better on the outside as he normally opted to hold up close.

Pernell is the epitome of awkward. He is a southpaw who creates angles other fighters have never heard of. He uses awkward movements with a high workrate and speed.

Pernell is perhaps the best ever defensive fighter at LW. He uses great movement with his feet in a tight circle coupled with his flexible waist movements he is a very hard target. His tight circle defence was brilliant as it allowed him to move round his opponents punches and counter himself with his fast hands. It also made his opponent fight at his pace.

Pernell is also a great inside fighter. He would always be moving and throwing shots. He got very close and landed hard hooks to the body whilst hardly being hit himself.

Pernells offence is often overlooked he throws fast punches down the pipe and keeps very busy. He perhaps has the best jab ever. He does however lack power but skills make up for power.

He fights his best against other boxers in more tactical fuights where is unorthodox style and workrate baffles the 'classic' boxers. He hgowever struggles against rougher and more awkward guys.

In this fight i can see Pernells awkwardness and workrate win the first few rounds as Benny susses him out.

benny then starts a comeback as he establishes his jab and the fight is more competitive Pernell is forced to fight more on the outside as Benny starts tieing him up inside

The later rounds is where this fight will be decided i can see Pernell throwing good combinations but Bennys more classical 1-2 landing.

Inthe end i feel Pernell wins a close UD with his early rounds winning the fight.