Is Leonard-Hearns 1 really one of the best of all time?

............I agree with you. I think it's a good fight because of the level of intensity (and one must admit it was incredibly intense, even if the number of clean blows landed was minimal) and the stakes involved, but it was more clinically tense, like a chess match.

 

Maybe not for pure action, but it's level of drama involving Leonard, down on points and his eye sealed shut, rallying back to stop Hearns, the intesity of the fight as a whole, the back-and-forth momentum, and the level of significance it had, it must rank highly. These guys weren't Chacon and Limon or Gatti and Ward or Saad Muhammad and Lopez, they were several levels above those fighters, I personally enjoy watching the level of skill both men showed. Many at the time viewed them as the top two P4P in the sport, and the winner would become the focus of all boxing below heavyweight. That one fight had a bigger impact on the sport itself than most others.

It probably isn't one of the top 10 action fights of all-time, but taking everything into account, it has to rate very highly.

I enjoy watching this fight as much as I enjoy Chacon-Limon IV or Barrera-Morales I personally.

 

Great fight, not one of my favorites as I was and still am a BIG Hearns fan, but it was a great fight nonetheless.

 

From an action standpoint not top ten obviously. Many fights will weigh in better. From a big matchup standpoint, and great tactical, etc. standpoint yeah it's certainly up there.

Guess it depends on what your looking for as great fight.

 

I much prefer Leonard/Duran I.

 

It's a good fight. End.

 

It was a revelation. No one realized that Tommy could box so well when forced to and that Ray could have so many problems trying to hit a moving target (you're blowing it son!)

For my money, Sanchez-Gomez was better fought because we didnt have to suffer thru five rounds of watching two guys feel the other out and was over halfway thru.

 

I was about to say the same.

 

Great fight because both fighters undefeated, in their prime, both showed skill, will, power, and VERSATILITY. The wonderful ebb and flow, the fact that Hearns started as a bomber and Ray the beautiful boxer, and that roles completely reversed. Just two wonderful fighters who could adapt to the situation, and give it their all to win. You have to seriously appreciate that fight.

 

Beat me to it

 

The drama, skill level, and shifts in momentum/strategy were great.

The action level, that's another story. Much of it was blah.

 

you had to be there.

the films don't convey the excitement.

it was a fabulous fight.

 

Fair enough mate. Can't compete with that. :good

 

It was classic more than great .... Leonard/Duran 1 was a better action fight ..