Does anyone remember in 1988 when Sugar Ray ko'd Donny Lalonde?

Very good post... Though SRL was my fave at that time, I never considered him a five belt holder even to this day.

 

Just a little correction, divac. Lalonde has actually gone down at 168 quite a few times now before he fought Leonard. Winning majority of them by KO's.

But other than that I agree with your whole post. I thought it was quite unjustified how the fight was agreed at 168 but both are fighting for the WBC Light-Heavyweight title. I thought it was quite unfair for Donny. I also didn't think neither deserved to fight for the right to win that vacant WBC SMW belt as well. The whole thing was indeed a mess.

 

That was a big fight

 

sugar ray himself told me...and i was very surprised...that of all his fights...lalonde was his toughest.....not hearns, duran..nope..donny lalonde.

 

LOOK! Donnie Lalonde was a big mother with power.... Ray Leonard had his work cut out for him.... Lalonde was not as skilled as a fading 1988 version of Ray Leonard, but he was bigger and younger, and hit harder... That fight kicked some ass.... NO! The paying public was NOT buying into it (The Event) all that much, but the overall event delivered the goods... Ray had to pick himself up off the floor to come back and stop Donnie Lalonde in round 9 with a wicked hook shot.... I liked it...

MR.BILL:good

 

A guy was on here the other day who had met SRL recently at an event in UK, and said that SRL said Lalonde was his toughest fight ever...:think

 

****- sorry mate. Ignore my above post...atsch

 

he said it....afterwards i was thinking about it - i think maybe he was coming from the point of view that at that stage of his career lalonde was a very big ask for him...i'm only guessing of course.
i was very surprised when he said it.

 

lalonde had also ruined his left arm in an ice hockey accident ( i think ) and could not extend it 100 % so no left hooks or proper jabs. I seem to recall at the time it was a much harder fight than expected, it was seen as a formality beforehand. Steward said after if he fights Hearns like that he will get knocked out. He had slipped a way from the Hagler fight in the Lalonde fight

 

Lalonde looked so much bigger than Ray and hurt him a few times. I dont know if that was the size issue or just Ray's age. Amazing finish by Ray, loved the attempt at a bolo punch.

 

totally hear what you're saying...and a totally correct concern...
but...i think the 'blame' for such a situation lies with the sanctioning bodies involved notso much with leonard...as he was doing whatever he could to advance his career or build his legacy..much as any fighter in the same position would do...

 

brutal KO...unexpected...

 

Main thing to remember it for is the awesomely homoerotic Ring Magazine cover it was included on:

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"Battle of the Pretty Boys", "The Thunder From Down Under", the fact it's called The Ring (with a pink circle to match) and Mike Tyson as the world's scariest male stripper.

Truly one for the ages.

 

I remember that fight. It was really hyped. Hard to believe it was 20 years ago.

 

That picture of Mike has to be one of the funniest Ring covers I've ever seen.:rofl