He would not have stayed at 147 long. He would have shot down the Hawk whom he was in negotiations to fight after Roger Stafford before moving up probably to 154 for a while if he didn't fight Curry or McCrory. I'm not sure if he would have fought Benitez before Hearns did,probably yes but i'd have to recheck the timeline. He may have fought both at the weight before looking at or deciding on 160 dependent on how he had gone in recent bouts. Both would have been very very dangerous bouts imo. Benitez had really found his mojo at 154.
Sugar Ray Leonard enters the post-fight press conference after easily dispatching a game Roger Stafford via 4th round TKO looking unmarked and effervescent. He announces he is forever leaving the 147 lb. division. "I've accomplished all my goals at Welterweight. There's really nothing left for me there. I've beaten Benitez, Duran and Hearns. I'll let the new generation like Curry, McCrory and Young have at it. But, I will continue fighting. The eye is fine. I have passed all my checkups and I'll have another one after I get back to DC. I hope to get another clean bill of health from my opthalmologist and retina specialist there." Leonard decides to challenge WBA 154 lb. titlist Davey Moore. Moore has recently won Leonard's vacated title and is talking smack about how he can beat all the big names like Leonard, Hearns and Duran. The fight is set for June 12, 1982 at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas, NV. Marvin Hagler shows up at the pre-fight press conference. "I want to fight Ray and shut his mouth at the same time. I don't know why he is wasting his time with a novice like Davey Moore. Ray has already held this (WBA 154 lb) title. He needs to fight me to prove he is the best in the World. I think he is just going after the least risk for the most reward. I am tired of waiting to get a crack at him." Leonard is diplomatic. "Marvin and I will fight at some point. It's inevitable. We are the two best fighters in the World right now. He needs to show a little patience. I haven't even fought at Middleweight. I want to make sure the conditions are right before I take on such a big challenge." The bell rings. Davey Moore comes out very aggressively and attempts to overpower Leonard. Ray moves side to side and pumps the jab. He ties up Moore on the inside. Moore wins the first few rounds, bulling forward and being the busier of the two fighters. By the fourth round, Moore's right eye starts to puff up from the plethora of jabs he has been hit with. Leonard becomes more aggressive. He works his way inside and unleashes a blizzard of combinations. Moore is staggered. Leonard smells blood. He tears in to a virtually defenseless Moore, who staggers to the ropes. After 15 unanswered punches, almost all of which snap Moore's head back, referee Mills Lane calls a halt to the slaughter. Leonard is led away after registering a comprehensive 4th round TKO. Moore is battered and dejected at the Post-fight Press Conference. "Ray was stronger than I expected. He is a great Champion. My hat is off to him." Leonard consoles the gallant loser. "Moore was very strong. I had to be careful in those first few rounds. When I saw my chance, I took it. Davey is a young, talented fighter. I think he got rushed a little too soon. I had too many tricks for him. He'll bounce back." The two warriors shake hands in a nice sportmanlike gesture. Marvin Hagler enters the scene. "Ray didn't prove anything. He needs to quit stalling and fight me. Until then, I will be his shadow. I will hound him. He needs me and I need him." Leonard chuckles. "I can't get away from this guy. What's next? Will I open the door to my house and he's laid out on the couch watching TV." Even the jaded press get a laugh out of this statement. Marvin is not laughing. "If that's what I have to do to get him to fight me, then yes, I'll do it." The Boxing press begins clammering for a Hagler/Leonard fight. It is a natural. Mike Trainer, Leonard's manager says Leonard will first test the waters at 160 lbs. He is in no hurry. Trainer announces that Leonard will fight Mustafa Hamsho on Sept. 15, 1982 in Las Vegas. Hamsho is highly rated and gave Hagler a good test in Oct. 1981. Mustafa Hamsho stares down Ray Leonard in ring center as referee Carlos Padilia gives his instructions to both fighters. Before the fight, Leonard tried to lobby to get a change of referee. He views Carlos as a type of referee who is slow to break up fighters. He has a habit of hitting the gloves of fighters when they are tied up on the inside, and doesn't really break them in a traditional manner. Ray knows Hamsho is very physically strong, and he doesn't want to waste too much energy struggling with Hamsho on the inside. His request is ignored. The bell rings and Mustafa Hamsho barrells across the ring looking to impose his strength and will on Ray Leonard. He immediately gets inside and butts Ray Leonard squarely on the eye that has had a surgically repaired torn retina. Leonard winces and referee Padilia immediately stops the action to warn Hamsho. Leonard is insenced. But, he keeps his cool and instead of standing toe to toe, he begins to use his underrated lateral movement. He changes direction at will, all the while pumping out his fast and accurate left jab. The bell rings to end round 1. Hamsho snarles and returns to his corner. His manager Al Certo and trainer Paddy Flood tell him to continue to press forward and look to land to the body. In Ray's corner, trainer Angelo Dundee tells him to stay patient. "Don't worry about any of Hamsho's roughhouse tactics. Stick to the game plan." The bell rings to begin round two. Leonard is on his toes. He knows he can't stand in and slug with Hamsho. He is too strong. Leonard pumps the jab and looks to land from the outside. He lands a lead right hand but it has absolutely no visable effect. Hamsho keeps up the pressure looking to get inside and break the smaller Leonard down, bit by bit. Leonard is able to stay away for the most part and wins the round by being the far more accurate of the two fighters. The pattern remains the same over the next few rounds. On the rare occasions Hamsho gets inside, Leonard ties him up. Hamsho is stronger but Ray is able to get loose and resume his side to side movement. Hamsho is not landing at all when Leonard is able to fight from the outside. By the fifth round, Hamsho is sporting a bad cut over the right eye. Leonard is inspired and digs in trying to open up new lacerations. His jab is highly effective in widening the existing cut. Hamsho walks back to his corner at the end of the round looking frustrated. He is not getting to Leonard. Paddy Flood tells him to open the next round by moving and boxing to try to unsettle Leonard. Hamsho Opens round six flicking out a weak jab and trying to move side to side. Leonard grins. He knows Hamsho is desperate. He really knows only one way to fight and this attempt at a plan B is only done out of frustration and desperation. Leonard accepts the invitation and moves forward pumping left hooks and right hands to Hamsho's body. He gets inside and unloads a fusilade of quick combinations, snapping back Hamsho's unprotected head time and again. Near the end of the round, Hamsho reaches out to initiate a clinch. He is bleeding profusely and while not visably staggered, he is eating a tremendous amount of leather. The bell rings and Hamsho trudges back to his corner, his face a mask of blood. Paddy Flood tells him he is going to stop the fight. The proud and game Hamsho yells at his cornerman, imploring him to give him one more round. Flood has seen enough, though and informs the ringside physican and the referee that his charge is done. Hamsho protests but to no avail. Flood wants to save him for another day. Leonard leaps up from his corner and pumps his fists, then waves to the crowd. He knows he has performed exceptionally well in his first foray into the Middleweight division. Ray is very cheerful during the post- fight press conference. He is full of praise for his vanquished opponent. "Hamsho was just as tough and strong as I thought he would be. I commentated on HBO during his fight against Hagler. I saw how much punishment he took without wilting. I knew I had to fight my fight. If I laid inside with him I could have gotten cut or hurt, or both. I take my hat off to him. He has ba&&s." Marvin Hagler intercedes, "Ray fought well but Hamsho was ready to be taken after what I did to him last year." "Ray didn't show me anything new. I'm too strong for him. I won't let him tie me up and regroup. I'll trap him on the inside and punish him. I WANT SUGAR RAY LEONARD." Leonard grins and looks at Marvin Hagler. "You're a great Champion but I am too slick for you. I'll take your titles." Marvin grins back at him. "Bring it on, Ray." The public outcry for a Hagler/Leonard superfight is at a fever pitch. It is the fight everyone wants to see. On Oct. 15, Promoter Bob Arum holds a press conference and says negotiations are taking place at a brisk pace. He is working with Mike Trainer and the Petronelli Bros to make it happen. He hopes to announce something very soon. On Nov. 10, Arum holds another press conference. With Hagler, Leonard and both teams standing next to him, Arum announces that Hagler/Leonard is set for January 15, 1983 for the Undisputed Middleweight Title at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will be telecast on closed circuit throughout the Nation. Hagler and Leonard will have purse pariity, each will be guaranteed $5 Million, plus a percentage of live gait and closed circuit revenues. Hagler and Leonard pose for some photos, standing nose to nose with fists near the other's chin. A final pre-fight press conference occurs on Jan. 2, 1983. Hagler weighs in, "It's a happy new year that will get even better for me after I take care of Ray. I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and I am in the best shape of my career. I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to retain my titles." Ray interjects, "This is the fight the public wants. I am glad we are giving it to them. "I respect Marvin. He is a great Champion. I am a great Champion. I am ready for a great fight."
Referee Richard Steele barks instructions as Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler stand nose to nose in ring center, each staring the other down in a manner that would make most fighters look away. But neither looks away. They are both supremely confident in their abilities. Steele finishes his instructions and the fighters touch gloves before returning to their corners to await the first bell. Leonard opens with lateral movement. Hagler comes out in a righty stance and presses forward, looking to make a war of it. Leonard flicks out his quick jab and Hagler blocks it with his gloves. Marvin moves in quickly and lands a strong left hook to the body. Leonard is put on notice that Hagler is going to be very aggressive. Leonard flurries and ties Marvin up. Hagler throws Leonard back into the ropes. Leonard thought Hamsho was strong. He is surprised to find that Hagler is even stronger. A pattern is set. Leonard is forced to move and box. Hagler is not only aggressive, he is surprisingly quick of hand and foot. He is able to get inside Leonard's reach, while landing short punches to the body. Ray is able to block most of Marvin's head shots but Hagler is working Ray's body effectively. Hagler never wavers from his plan. He is effectively aggressive. He does not give Ray a chance to breath. After six rounds, Hagler is ahead 5-1 on most scorecards. Leonard decides to make a stand. He had planned on waiting until the late rounds to go all out, but that plan was predicated on him outboxing Marvn and building a lead. He knows he must gain Hagler's respect before it is too late. It is now or never. He doesn't want to just survive. He is an immensely proud man. He wants to win the fight. As the bell rings to begin round seven, Leonard meets Hagler head to head. The two warriors engage in thrilling toe to toe action. Leonard is faster, and he lands a solid left hook followed by a lightning quick right cross. Hagler laughs at him. These punches have had absolutely no effect on Hagler, other than to embolden him. Hagler counters with a right to the body followed by a devastaing uppercut to the chin. Leonard is shaken. He immediatly looks to initiate a clinch. He is able to do so, but it works to only temporarily stave off Marvin's advances. Leonard closes the round with a quick flurry, looking to impress the judges. He may have won this round, but it is looking more and more like Hagler may win the war. The rounds mount and Hagler is able to land at an increasing rate. Leonard moves less and less and engages Hagler more often. Leonard holds his own and appears to land more, but Hagler's punches seem to have much more effect. After 10 rounds, Hagler is ahead 7-3 on Michael Katz's unofficial scorecard. Marvin comes out for round 11 in a lefty stance, smelling blood. He tears into Leonard with a two fisted assault. Leonard counters. They exchange in ring center. Leonard tries an uppercut, but Marvin lands first with a straight left and follows with devastating right hook. Leonard staggers back to the ropes. Hagler leaps after him, and punishes him with an assortment of power punches. Leonard's guard is still high, and he gallantly tries to fight off the ropes. Hagler lands a right uppercut and then a straight left hand and Leonard begins to fall through the ropes. Hagler pours it on and Leonard falls through the ropes and onto the ring apron. He tries to untangle himself and finally does so He crawls onto all fours, but is counted out just as he attempts to rise into a standing position. Marvin Hagler's hand is raised by referee Richard Steele and he has won a comprehensive 11 th round KO. At the post-fight press conference Leonard is battered and dejected. He shakes his head. "Marvin was just too strong. I did everything I could. I tried my best. This is my last fight. I am retiring from Boxing." Hagler is classy in victory. "Ray was just as good as as I thought he'd be. I was just too strong for him. He is a great fighter. I respect Ray Leonard." Just then, Thomas Hearns appears on stage. "I want Marvin Hagler. He fought a great fight tonight. But I have the height and reach to give him fits. I also have the punching power to gain his respect. Either as the Motor City Cobra or as the Hitman, I can beat Marvin Hagler." Hagler chuckles. He will gladly accept the Hearns challenge. But, for now he just wants to take a little time off and enjoy this victory. And then the two gallant warriors leave the stage. Hagler is the undisputed pound for pound best fighter in the World.
I think the injury may have been a blessing in disguise. Ray would have started to lose fights and waste his talent like all of the other champions that struggled with substance abuse.
That and the deterioration factor. His reflexes went south as he aged. Adding 3 or 4 more fights means you subtract from him on the other end & that deterioration starts eazrlier. I thought he was fortunate to have not fought in the 50's when guys had tons of fights---not 40. I sure don't think Ray holds up well--especially those hands and knees--fighting 6 to 8 times a year.