For people who say SRL Cherry picked

Mag1965,,,,,,,,,

Correct,,,,,,,,,,,,,In April 1982 at age 23 1/2,,,,,Wilfred much stronger at 154 lbs.

He was at the height of his confidence level and the pinnacle of his physical strength.

Versus Ray Leonard, I think most will agree in April 1982,,,,,,,, Wilfred had the edge.

The Ray Leonard Lovers would agree, at that period of time, Wilfred Benetiz would be at his most dangerous.

Based upon what people saw in the Bruce Finch bout,,,,,,,,,,

Wilfred by close, but clear-cut decision over Mr. Leonard.

 

It actually makes me chuckle when people claim he cherry picked.

I'd say from after the hagler fight but by then he'd already established a top 20 legacy.

 

Cherry Picker,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,selective choosing

1982 Interview,,,,,
'Mr. Leonard,,,,,would you give Wilfred Benetiz a rematch,,,in San Juan, Purto Rico.'

'Well, I have to go over that with Mike Trainer.'

'Mr. Leonard,,,,,,,how about fighting Wilfred Benetiz at Madison Square Garden.'

'Why would I agree to that,,,,,,,I'm sure Mike Trainer would say no.'

'Mr. Leonard,,,it seems that you are Cherry Picking locations.'

'Is that what they call it,,,,,,,I've heard Mike Trainer mention that alot.'

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MAG admitting d truth . Leonard was Benitez' last fight ever @ 147 , which suggests that he was drained @ d weight by that time .
@ 154 , Benitez would have outpointed Leonard , and only that fight that didn't happen is what mattered in regards 2 Leonard vs Benitez .
But somehow Leonard was Hearns' last fight @ 147 , Benitez' last fight @ 147 , Duran's last fight @ 147 , Duran's last fight @ 160 , Hagler's last fight overall , brought a reigning 175 titlist down 2 168 2 gain both d 175 and 168 trinkets . Also , Ayub Kalule was known 2 having huge troubles making 154 (some1 bring Magnes Palle's quote) and 4 d Hearns rematch Leonard made sure 2 drain Hearns again , this time 2 164 , still deserved 2 lose but got a gift draw . Even Dave Green never came back 2 147 after Leonard stopped him there . I might even find a few more such cases in his earlier career but i think it reveals n interesting pattern in these serial coincidences . Did Leonard beat ppl's ability 2 make their weight out of them ? what was it about him ?

 

Pre Hagler he had one of the best resume's of any modern great.

I suppose you could make a case for him cherry picking late in his career but there are some interesting points to make.

He waited for Hagler to get old? Well yes, he openly admits that, but he had also been inactive for 3 years himself so that kinda evens things up for me.

Lalonde was a limited brawler with power, but he was so much bigger than Leonard & that could've gone horribly wrong.

Hearns, a lot of people were calling for a Hearns Re-match after the Hagler fight, I'm old enough to remember!! Then when it was announced same people accusing Hearns of being shot & Leonard C/picking!!......Go figure'

Duran, Great win over Barkley got everyone warm & runny over Duran again, fight signed then see above.....gotta love some fight fans!!

Norris, Not very widely recognised at the time but went on to appear on a lot of pound 4 pound lists......nuff said.

Camacho, Admittedly I don't know what he was thinking here! atsch

I'm no expert, just a big fight fan for 25 years, but Leonards one of the best fighters I've ever seen & when he was fighting there was a magic atmosphere that few fighters ever create.

 

In Benitez,Duran,Hearns and Hagler,Leonard fought and beat the best fighters of his generation. Okay,he got lucky in the second Hearns fight,but all the great ones have had a good rub of the green every now and then.

On the negative side,the Lalonde farce was ridiculous. I don't look upon it as a bona fide Lt.heavy title being at stake in that fight,as the poundage limit was at 168.

 

Cherry picking is the rule in boxing, not the exception. It's a business.

 

Correct Fists,,,,,,,,,:good

It takes more than Great Talent,,,,,,,,,Great Management, $$$ Backing,
Smart Decisions, Wise Choices of Opponents, Luck and Timing.