Could peak Floyd Mayweather have beat all Sugar Ray Leonard challengers

That's a very interesting question and I like that you state it is at the specific time Ray fought them rather than necessarily prime. I am assuming you are talking about the big name fights only, not Welterweight challengers like Dave Green. I am also unsure what weight peak Mayweather is really but I will give it a go.

Duran
If when Ray fought Duran at Welter I think a lot depends on Duran's mind set as post Lightweight he seemed to blow hot and cold fight by fight. Remember his win over Leonard was very close and Ray chose to trade and fight Duran which I don't think Floyd would, he was far to cautious and canny. Given how frustrated Roberto was in the second Leonard fight I can see a Mayweather fight going a bit like the Chavez - Whitaker match with Duran wanting to trade but being shut down. On the other hand the moment Floyd chose to trade Duran could smell blood! But over all Mayweather on points.

Hearns
I pick Hearns only because people forget Hearns was a master boxer as well as puncher. He out boxed Ray for long periods of both their fights and also outboxed Wilfred Benitez and Virgil Hill. Mayweather was not a devastating puncher so it is unlikely Tommy would have to worry about a single punch turning the tide. If Tommy was patient and contained I think his natural physical advantages would pay off with a close points win.

Hagler
Again a very underrated boxer and surprisingly quick with devastating accuracy. Many score the Leonard fight to Hagler. Ray chose to stand and fight with Marvin, I doubt Mayweather would have, but in this type of fight and given the pressure Hagler would lay on him I don't see Floyd winning without taking chances and that is where he could come unstuck. Marv is a greater fighter than Alvarez IMO, who I think is the heaviest Floyd has fought at (?). Either way I think Mayweather would be pushed to beat an ATG middleweight IMO although it could be close. Hagler on points.

Benitez
I know the least about Benitez but I feel Floyd could win this. Wilfred was not a super hard puncher and his lack of discipline would tell against him. Mayweather by points or possible late stoppage.

Lalonde
Again we are getting to high in weight really but if Roy Jones can jump to Heavyweight I suppose we could imagine Floyd fighting Donny at a catchweight (as Ray did). Lalonde was brave but limited and I see Mayweather winning a wide points victory.

Ayub Kalule
I simply don't know enough about this dude.

 

If a prime Hagler found Duran to be tricky, what would a past prime version think of Mayweather?

Also, Canelo was bigger than Hagler.

 

I cannot see Mayweather having the power to seriously hurt Hagler, Duran or Hearns. Genuinely. Even if he did manage to hurt them, the three men I listed are some of the hardest to capitalize against in the sport, they were the best of the best and masters.

Hearns I think proves to be the greatest obstacle, I think he would quickly establish a jab over Mayweathers and dominate from the outside.

 

No

Hearns and Hagler would beat him

Hearns and Haglers physical advantages are too much

Benitez is a toss up

Floyd could beat the Duran of the second Leonard fight because Duran was ill trained

 

Even though he wouldn't be able to beat him, Randy Shields could have given Floyd fits.

 

Good points but I think Hagler underestimated Duran to be honest, plus Duran fought a great fight. I also rate Hagler higher than Alvarez and feel he punched harder. Not sure if Mayweather ever suffered a prolonged barrage of the intensity he would get from Marv, even a faded one? Also depends how you rate Duran against Mayweather, many old school fans on here would probably rate Duran higher.

 

Duran was obviously worse than Mayweather above 147 and post Montreal. Anybody who doesn't accept that is lying to themselves.

 

But I think Duran proved he could fight at Middleweight effectively, both against Hagler and Barkley? And I suspect as well as Mayweather would do at Middleweight do you think.

 

I think beating Canelo was more difficult than Barkley. Barkley was bigger than Canelo, but I'm pretty sure Hagler weighed less in ring.

 

I do respect that you admit you know little about a fighters
career. That admission tells me you have humility ,
and intelligence.
But believe a man who was lucky enough (Or old)
enough to have seen Benitez in his prime. If Fighters like
Cervantes, Palomino, Duran, Hope, Leonard
or Hearns couldn't stop Benitez. The only
way Mayweather Jr. would be able to stop him
in a boxing ring is with a gun. He simply didn't
have the firepower to hurt Benitez when he did
land a punch.
Personally in my opinion he doesn't beat Benitez,
or any of the very top welters of the era.

 

lol no

 

Very interesting to hear and thank you for sharing your knowledge, I am definitely keen to learn and need to watch more of Benitez. It is awesome you saw him in his prime!

 

Challenging?

Ha!

 

Delusional.

 

Why would Hearns have gotten tired with Floyd?

Floyd wouldn’t have fought him aggressively.