Could Ray Leonard KO Marlon Starling?

hypothetically yes. but the odds are long against it imo.

 

Agreed, and Futch bracketed him with Spinks, who later showed excellent evasive skill, even if a little awkward looking. Another brilliant defensive maestro was Eddie Mustafa Muahammad.

 

I also believe the Magic Man goes the distance here. There were instances where Ray was unable to hurt the opponents he hit (Duran, Geraldo, Shields), and at Starling's best he had as dedicated and secure a defensive guard as anybody. Defensively skilled fighters like Benitez, Duran (in Montreal) and Shields were able to make him miss often, indicating that SRL was tipping off his attacks as they began.

 

Starling could have been a much better fighter if he was more aggressive. He loved defense too much. He did make fighters look bad, but also at the expense of his offense. He would marvel at making the guy miss, or blocking the guys punch, but the other guy would outwork him. Starling should have only had three losses on his record: The second Curry fight, the Michael Nunn fight, and the loss to Maurice Blocker, which he could have won.

 

Yeah, one fight that I can think of that he should not have lost was his 1988 meeting with a Columbian named Thomas Molinares. I remember watching that fight 20 years ago on HBO, and seeing Starling dominate him through 6 rounds. At the sound of the bell, Molinares launched a punch that caused Starling to fall, and twisting an ankle or something in the process. Much to his shagrin, Starling had to be carried out of the arena on a stretcher. The bout was initially ruled as a loss, but I see on boxrec that it has since been deemed as a no contest. Nevertheless, Starling's WBC title was gone.

 

I think Ray would definitely get Starling's attention with some combinations...he might even rock him a time or two...and he will get Starling's respect. But Moochie has some moments too, this goes the distance IMO, and Starling would annoy the hell out of Leonard in the process. But it's Leonard by solid UD.

 

What about the first Curry fight? He definitely lost that one, and tho many first thought he clowned it away latter knowledge shows us he was probably (i'd say certainly almost) never going to win it.

 

The first Curry fight was close enough to go either way imo.

 

Could be, I thought Donald just edged him.

 

I think Ray could stop Marlon late, but as with the consensus, I think he would win a UD over 15.

 

My memory is Curry winning a close but definite decision. It'd be a good fight to score again.

 

Got the doctors certificate?