In the ATG sense, who is better? Duran or Leonard?

Also Ray beat Benitez and Benitez relatively easily beat Duran. I think Ray is greater. If the criteria is who beat the greater fighters than Ray easily wins this. If criteria is length of career and a resume where he fought everyone then it is Duran. Duran had a great career and long and fought up and down in weights and for years.

 

Sugar Ray Leonard...

 

Duran

 

Leonard won vs all his best opponents

 

Like others said depends on your criteria, and for me ,,, Duran by a country mile

 

I'm an equally huge fan of both, so no bias in my answer.... it's Duran.

Had Leonard jumped two divisions and beat a peak Duran at his best weight, then the answer would be Ray.

But as it stands, Duran had a longer, more dominant prime, and has the Montreal win. He's greater than Leonard.

But when I say greater, I literally mean by only one spot.

I have Robinson #1 all time, Duran at #2, and Leonard at #3.

 

"Country mile" is an exaggeration. There's no fighter in history greater than Leonard by a country mile.

But IMO, there's only two guys with a true claim as GOAT - Robinson and Duran. Both make a compelling case, but Robinson's dominance in the 40s is something that'll never be seen again in the sport, hence why I have him at 1. But Duran would be the only one with a valid case over Robinson.

 

to each his own but not for me , plenty of boxers I would put higher than SRL

 

Leonard was extremely talented, was America's poster boy, and had some very meaningful wins. Duran had longevity of career, spanning multiple weight classes, would fight anybody, anywhere anytime, and had meaningful wins of his own.
Leonard won 2 of 3 vs. Duran, which is impressive. The Montreal win for Duran sticks out the most for me, simply because that was both fighters at full strength.
That and the above factors are why Duran edges it for me.

 

leonard had more talent and more versatile

but never came close to 72 - 1 so I have to go with Duran

 

^lapdx whats up?

 

Leonard has a better collection of top four wins with Hearns, Hagler, Duran, and Benitez, but Duran has the best single win between the two with Leonard I, greater longevity, longer prime, was slightly better at his apex, and had a deeper resume to boot (Marcel, Buchanan, De Jesus x 2, Palomino, Barkley, Moore, Cuevas, Kobayashi, Ishimatsu, etc.). Leonard is a top-tier great, but Duran rates higher all-time.

 

there's plenty of fighters. dozens in fact. what about Benny Leonard? willie Pep? Langford, Gans, Ali, Moore, Floyd?

Duran isnt even in my top ten let alone Ray Leonard

 

Working 2 jobs, hardly any time for ESB anymore. Hope to make it down to L.A. soon for some Ram games. How have you been?