Is Sugar Ray Leonard overrated?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Boxing125, Jul 17, 2015.


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  1. Boxing125

    Boxing125 Active Member Full Member

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    Outstanding boxer of course he was but why do so many have him in their top ten p4p of all time. I thought his style was boring, he lacked great punching power and although he was flashy and immensely skilfull he was not as great as people think. He had 4 signature wins in his career (Wilfred Benitez, against Duran 'no mass', Thomas Hearns and Hagler) To me his name Sugar Ray and the fact that he came back out of retirement ( with only one fight in 5 years) to beat Marvin Hagler make him a hero to so many.

    He looked to steal the fight on the run and win on points against Hagler and used the kind of tactics that Floyd Mayweather has used to remain unbeaten in his career. He was losing against Thomas Hearns in the first fight until the he stopped him in the 14th round and was knocked down twice in the re-match and didnt deserve a draw.

    I know he had wonderful boxing skills but when you compare the number of fights he had and his resume compared to Ray Robinson, Thomas Hearns, Hagler, Joe Calzaghe, Julio Chavez, Roy Jones Jr I think Leonard's achievements - due lots of retirements - fall short of other greats at his weight. Do you agree?
     
    Boxing125, Jul 17, 2015
    Boxing125, Jul 17, 2015
    #1
  2. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Do people really have him in their top 10? Not a fan of his style either but his accomplishments are impeccable. Came from behind to miraculously beat a Hearns who I still consider to be the greatest welterweight of all time. Went up in weight to beat Hagler after a lengthy layoff... This alone is the stuff of legends. Throw in the Benitez and Duran wins (I'm in the extreme minority who thought that he won the first Duran fight by landing the cleaner punches) and he's clearly an ATG.
     
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 17, 2015
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 17, 2015
    #2
  3. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    No.
     
    mcvey, Jul 17, 2015
    mcvey, Jul 17, 2015
    #3
  4. hookfromhell

    hookfromhell Well-Known Member Full Member

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    end thread. i am a fan of his style though.
     
    hookfromhell, Jul 17, 2015
    hookfromhell, Jul 17, 2015
    #4
  5. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    he had a short career and prime but it was packed with ATG's and victories, his outside of the ring activities hurt him but he is not rated too high in fact I bet big on him vs Floyd it would be another Benitez fight for a while but SRL was the better fighter and in with killers Hagler,Hearns, Duran and boxing masters Benitez
     
    Bummy Davis, Jul 17, 2015
    Bummy Davis, Jul 17, 2015
    #5
  6. OvidsExile

    OvidsExile At a minimum, a huckleberry over your persimmon. Full Member

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    Are Whitaker, Mayweather, and Duran overrated?
     
    OvidsExile, Jul 17, 2015
    OvidsExile, Jul 17, 2015
    #6
  7. Boxing125

    Boxing125 Active Member Full Member

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    I don't think Sugar Ray was overrated as a boxer I just don't get why the same boxing fans that love him and his style think Floyd Mayweather is boring.
     
    Boxing125, Jul 17, 2015
    Boxing125, Jul 17, 2015
    #7
  8. Vince Voltage

    Vince Voltage Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Because Leonard had way more pop than Mayweather. If he threw a six punch combination, the first five might be light and fluffy, but number 6 would knock you on your ass.
     
    Vince Voltage, Jul 17, 2015
    Vince Voltage, Jul 17, 2015
    #8
  9. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Are you saying he invented the internet, radial tires and the polio vaccine?

    Then probably yes.
     
    Seamus, Jul 17, 2015
    Seamus, Jul 17, 2015
    #9
  10. N_ N___

    N_ N___ Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He's an ATG but is currently overrated. He came along at a time that people are a little nostalgic over because they can still remember it. He had some notable wins and was a media darling.

    Detracting from his standing, he should've beaten Duran the first time and lost due to a poor fight plan. I wouldn't call Duran an ATG at 147, just very very good. He also lacks depth in terms of having endless wins over solid contenders. His career after The Hagler fight hurts him too. He was really selective about opponents by that stage, and the Norris loss and Hearns semi-loss while still not that old or battle worn hurt him in discussions of the best of the best. H2h he was also a notch below guys like Jones and 130 PBF.
     
    N_ N___, Jul 17, 2015
    N_ N___, Jul 17, 2015
    #10
  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Does dullardism run in your family or are you really trying to castigate Duran for his post Hagler performances?

    He really sucked against Joppy, too.
     
    Seamus, Jul 17, 2015
    Seamus, Jul 17, 2015
    #11
  12. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    It's simple: welterweight Floyd doesn't hurt people (or even try, really).

     
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 17, 2015
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 17, 2015
    #12
  13. N_ N___

    N_ N___ Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I was talking about Leonard. No mention of Duran other than his fights against Leonard.
     
    N_ N___, Jul 17, 2015
    N_ N___, Jul 17, 2015
    #13
  14. latineg

    latineg user of dude wipes Full Member

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    hey lets be fair, Sugar Ray took chances when he fought, as well as when he MATCHED up with others, that's why Ray was so much more loved then Floyd :bbb

    No disrespect to Floyd :good

    Just calling it as it is :think
     
    latineg, Jul 17, 2015
    latineg, Jul 17, 2015
    #14
  15. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    My bad. Bourbon.
     
    Seamus, Jul 17, 2015
    Seamus, Jul 17, 2015
    #15
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