Is Sugar Ray Leonard divisive amongst boxing fans?

Leonard was not one of the top 10 P4P of all-time, he used his reach and a lot of movement to beat the smaller Duran, I wasn`t impressed by the Hagler fight and felt he lost.

 

Not Ray`s biggest fan but he was top class.I think i am in the minority who actually thought he beat Hagler

 

This. His ability in the ring cannot be denied but his personality and antics outside the ring left a lot to be desired.

 

I prefer Hagler. Meaner inside the ring and nicer outside of it.

 

Leonard divides fans for several reasons, some of which has already been stated here. He was a poster boy, he came from the olympics, his personality etc. When he fought, he was cocky and threw the "bolo" punch. He was also a business person and a strategist. He was smart and tried to plan everything.

The truth is, he was a winner and was the real deal to back it all up. He had everything needed to be a great fighter. Lots of people are jealous of successful people. The same way they talk about Mayweather.

Funny, back in the day I wanted to see him get KO'ed so badly. Today I admire his abilities and he seems a decent guy as well.

 

As Great boxers:

Duran
Leonard
Hagler
Hearns



As likeable people:

Hagler
Hearns
Duran


Leonard

 

What's your top 10 P4P in order Antman?

 

I scored that fight for Ray too. I can't give Marvin any more than five rounds.

 

I'm a big Hagler fan definitely prefer him over Leonard but he didn't push the initiative against SRL. Whether he didn't have enough in the tank to do so is irrelevant to me bcuz he still signed that contract n got in there.

To SRLs credit, I dont see much beating him at peak WW version. And unlike Floyd, I dont hold losing to a "lightweight Duran" bcuz he beat Hearns, a better fighter than Floyd ever fought, the next year. Along w making Duran quit in their second meeting.

 

Hagler out of the big 4 for me too.
I can't explain why but the fact he stayed at Middleweight and dominated the division means more to me than multi weight champioms.
But, Leonard was a superbly talented boxer who was also has hard as nails.
Yeah he waited till Hagler was on the down slide and his light heavyweight championship win over Donny LaLonde wasn't the real deal but he's still an all time great with wins over Hagler, Hearns, Duran and Benitez.
Just like with Ali at Heavyweight, he isn't one of my favourites, but he may be the best Welterweight ever

 

And not forgetting that Leonard was also past his best when he fought Hagler. Just imagine what a fight between them in their primes would have been like! Still very close in my opinion.

 

I'd favour Hagler over 15 rounds.
The best middle ever vs the best ever welter.
In reality Leonard would probably insist on a bigger ring, bigger gloves, more money and the fight at 154lbs

 

And Hagler would not fight at 154lbs. As he often said "I am a legit middleweight" He sensibly stayed at that weight.

Ali,Leonard,Hagler,Duran etc. Our generation was so lucky having these special fighters around.

 

Yeah there's no way Hagler would accommodate Leonard on that score.
Maybe it's a fight that never would have happened ??
The 70's was the most exciting era for heavies but the 80's had the lot and the 40's is my favourite era style wise.

 

Forties are a brilliant era. I like Kid Gavilan a lot.