Fight of the Week #12: Leonard v. Hagler

Funny...at the time (I was a teenager) and thought so, but I didn’t really score fights or understand that concept.

In recent years I thought it was unfair. Although I scored it a draw previously so my opinion does not even make sense to me lol.

I don’t think it was a robbery or even unfair....again it is that 118-110 card that rubs me wrong! I know our forum is not filled with trained judges but for the most part I respect and/or think highly of those who have participated. It looks like at a minimum you would have to say 4 clear rounds for each guy with 4 debatable rounds. Not sure I can see anything above 116 for either guy who wins.

That 118-110 card is poor imo but then again I am not a judge lol

 

I found myself watching the tape of HBO broadcast, this time around. I'm sure I'd watched it before, but I think I must have repeatedly viewed the CBS recording, because I have the Ryan/Clancy commentary etched into my memory.

Merchant and Tompkins were quite tempered by comparison. However, two quotes stand out to me.

During Round-2… …Barry Tompkins: “

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During Round-10... …Larry Merchant: “

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You would think with slow motion and instant replay they could incorporate some of that even in the minute betweeen rounds.

The Holmes-Norton fight stands out to me on nearly every replay the commentator (can’t remember who?) would say watch so and so land...crack...oooopps that missed its here in the next one, crack....oooopppssss that missed to.

 

I scored it like the consensus in all other rounds.

 

Really cool how you reported the cards from every poster .. Neat idea Philly

 

So far we have only 1 out of 9 with SRL walking out with the title .. I'm really surprised by that actually .. We need more cards

 

I am sure they are out there, just a matter of whether they are willing to take an hour to rewatch and rescore the fight? Hopefully some do! There has been to much controversy on this forum over this fight for only 9 cards

 

I don't remember any of the fights we've scored that any of us thought were robberies after we watched the video. Were there any? It's tough to score close rounds and I suspect that the way a person feels that day when he/she scores the fight will affect how he scores the fight. I don't feel confident that I could score this fight right now and score it the same as I did a few days ago. I don't think any of us who scored this fight will consider it a "robbery" in the future.

 

I wish they had the fights without the commentary. That would help us rate the fights better. It was interesting to watch Hagler vs. Hearns without sound a few years ago. well the first round.

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If we had all of Hagler vs. Leonard like this, it would be easier.. The Commentary on both HBO and PPV was favorable to Ray with Clancy saying Ray was the miracle man.

 

I generally turn the sound down when I am rescoring fights...not always but most of the time. I don’t want my mind dissuaded by what they think I should be seeing

 

Before the fight, I had called it for Leonard - much to the amusement of everyone I mentioned that to. But, during the match itself, I started to regret having made that call and remember, at the time, being genuinely shocked by the announcement of the result, because I was convinced Hagler had taken it.

That said, I didn't automatically think, "Robbery" - as in, a corrupt result.

I did, however, come to think that a lot of people had just caught the Ray Leonard Express; a speeding Bandwagon that, once people had boarded, taken their seat and buckled up, was difficult for them step off from, to take some air.

 

It is best to do that, especially with HBO who had an agenda.. Being at the fights live is best judging. I remember years ago on promotions seeing fights without sound on TV. It gives you more of a feeling of being there.

 

This fight will always be the benchmark fight for me being the biggest, closest , and Impossible to call a robbery no matter who got the nod at the end .. That is how close it was .. I will say though the 118-110 scorecard is the one thing that stunk up the fight for me .. Just as if a 118-110 scorecard was turned in for Hagler .. Some may say well that is only 1 card. But I do not see it that way as all judges are responsible for a card that represents the fight, even though I know it's subjective. Anyway, Kevin has done a great job with these threads and I am patiently waiting for Leonard Hearns 2 if it ever comes