Best boxer in last 30 yrs - `Sugar`Ray Leonard

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bill Butcher, Aug 27, 2008.


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  1. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    I debated between Leonard & Duran but 2 factors swung it SRLs way - A good part of Durans career was before 1978 & I regard Leonard as the superior BOXER of the 2.

    5 weight world champion (tho I personally see him as a 4 weight due to the nonsense winning the 168 & 175 titles vs Lalonde)

    1st man to beat Benitez (TKO 15)
    1st man to beat Hearns (TKO 14)
    2nd man to beat Duran (TKO 8)
    1st man to stop Duran (TKO 8)
    1st man to beat Hagler in 11 yrs (PTS 12)

    I could list his attributes but you`ve all seen him no doubt so thats my choice anyway.

    :thumbsup
     
    Bill Butcher, Aug 27, 2008
    Bill Butcher, Aug 27, 2008
    #1
  2. TommyV

    TommyV Loyal Member banned

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    Are you forgetting a certain Pernell Whitaker?
     
    TommyV, Aug 27, 2008
    TommyV, Aug 27, 2008
    #2
  3. enquirer

    enquirer Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If you take it to maybe 33 years then its defo roberto,as it stands i still think roberto is better p4p,better at 135 than ray at 147,and lastly he beat ray in the fight were both were at their best And 13 pounds over his best weight.
    Durans longevity,championship reign and undisputed no1 rank at 135,his genuine weight climbing and all round genius swing it for me,though ray was pretty awesome in his own right. Close but clear for manos de piedra...
     
    enquirer, Aug 27, 2008
    enquirer, Aug 27, 2008
    #3
  4. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    My thinking exactly. "Pea" didn't have Leonard's speed and power, but skill wise I don't think I've ever seen anyone more complete. His perfomance against Chavez... Amazing.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 27, 2008
    Bokaj, Aug 27, 2008
    #4
  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Are you trying to attract a Rooster?



    This content is protected
     
    mr. magoo, Aug 27, 2008
    mr. magoo, Aug 27, 2008
    #5
  6. bladerunner

    bladerunner El Intocable Full Member

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    have you ever posted on ESB with another nick?
     
    bladerunner, Aug 27, 2008
    bladerunner, Aug 27, 2008
    #6
  7. Loewe

    Loewe internet hero Full Member

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    I totally agree. Leonard would be second though and because they are mentioned: Whitaker would be third and Chavez fourth.
     
    Loewe, Aug 27, 2008
    Loewe, Aug 27, 2008
    #7
  8. redrooster

    redrooster Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Roy Jones is the best boxer of the last 30 years. ray leonard isnt even close
     
    redrooster, Aug 27, 2008
    redrooster, Aug 27, 2008
    #8
  9. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Not even close? Resume counts more than anything else. What overly impresses you about Jones apart from skill and athletic ability? Toney and Ruiz are probably his best wins.
     
    Robbi, Aug 27, 2008
    Robbi, Aug 27, 2008
    #9
  10. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    No, I remembered Pernell.

    He just wasnt as good a fighter as Leonard, there`s not much else to say, its that simple.
     
    Bill Butcher, Aug 27, 2008
    Bill Butcher, Aug 27, 2008
    #10
  11. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    Duran cannot be the best boxer of the last 30 years obviously, as his peak was the early-mid 70s. Duran is definitely the best boxer of the last 40 years IMO. Leonard is a fair call, but strong cases can surely be made for Hagler, Arguello, Whitaker, Chavez, and Hearns.
     
    DINAMITA, Aug 27, 2008
    DINAMITA, Aug 27, 2008
    #11
  12. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    I always struggle between Duran & Leonard - on one hand Duran was IMO the best ever LWT, 4 weight champ, jumped 2 weights & handed SRL his 1st loss & had great longevity but after beating SRL had some terrible losses.... on the other hand Leonard was the 2nd best WWT ever IMO, 4/5 weight champ, had that marvelous comeback vs Hagler 2 weights above his natural weight, beat a better collection of great fighters than Duran including Duran himself but missed a large part of his career thru retirement.

    I dont let the 2-1 thing affect my thinking when comparing the 2, the 3rd SRL/Duran fight should never have been made, I suppose its the quality of opponents defeated by Leonard that place him above not just Roberto but all others.
     
    Bill Butcher, Aug 27, 2008
    Bill Butcher, Aug 27, 2008
    #12
  13. Addie

    Addie Myung Woo Yuh! Full Member

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    You made the right call. Ray Leonard is the best boxer of the past 30 years.

    Whitaker was better defensively, but Leonard superior offensively. He also has the superior supreme to all the other candidates in question; Whitaker, Roy Jones, Duran, etc.
     
    Addie, Aug 27, 2008
    Addie, Aug 27, 2008
    #13
  14. bladerunner

    bladerunner El Intocable Full Member

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    a few years ago there was a poster here called George W Hedge that was always talking about Morales and SRL is that you?
     
    bladerunner, Aug 27, 2008
    bladerunner, Aug 27, 2008
    #14
  15. stevebhoy87

    stevebhoy87 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If it is done on resume since 1978 then i would agree with leonard, i have duran ahead of leonard all time but most of his lightweight work would not be included so leonard would be top for me

    Roy jones is the most talented fighter in the last 30 years and i would rate him second best fighter behind leonard all things taken in to account,whitaker would be just behind in 3rd though would have no argument if anyone had whitaker 2nd and jones 3rd
     
    stevebhoy87, Aug 27, 2008
    stevebhoy87, Aug 27, 2008
    #15
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