Is Sugar Ray Leonard the G.O.A.T@ 147

Wins over duran, benitez and hearns put him in the reckoning.

But a loss to duran, during his prime, really counts against him.

 

Greatest of all times at all.

 

You people kill me.

 

What? I suppose you think Hearns would have beat Barkley aslong as Barkley didn't punch Hearns in the face.

 

Robinson, Armstrong and Leonard all have a claim to being the best ever WW

 

Duran was one of the greatest fighters ever on that night. He hadn't yet gotten chubby. He had dominated the previous champ Palomino. And he won a clear (to me) but close decision over Ray, which Ray rather easily avenged. From the way he (SRL) fought, he's the second best WW probably after SRR. Hearns is third. But again, not by achievements as WW champ. But by who would beat who at their prime. I don't think Kid Gavilan or Emile Griffith would beat Ray Leonard more than maybe one out of 10 times, and I see both getting smoked by Hearns. But we'll never know until someone invents a time machine.

 

I say he is. He had it all. Speed, power, defense, technical skill, and killer instinct.

 

Personally, I would say no, but he's definitely top 3, top 5.He had that all-around style and heart, though Duran got in his head and got to him.

 

I don't know if Leonard would go into every fight as the betting favrote at 147, but I would not bet against him. While his skills are top notch. I think there are better prime welterweights who on paper are better than him. I think this includes Hearns and Benitez. Both of whom he beat.
If we are talking about who is the best on paper than I would say he fits into the top 5. If we are talking about who beats who, than I think it is between Leonard and Robinson.

 

Hearns isn't necessarily the juggernaut at welterweight people think he is due to his greenness and durability at the weight. Not to mention Gavilan had one of the greatest chins in history, let alone the division. He would have given Hearns way more than he would have wanted. The notion that Hearns would have smoked or walked through Gavilan is an over statement. I do agree he is Top 3-5 H2H in the division unquestionably. There are men who could have defeated him there though.

 

Come on man....

 

That 120 fight winning streak makes it almost impossible to surpass Robinson. On the other hand Leonard was an absolute beast at 147, and you could make good arguments for him beating Robinson.

 

Best modern fighter, it's hard to judge Robinson and Armstrong when there's little to no footage

 

SRL is number two for me

SRR was number one, there are tapes out there but not many. But that doesnt matter, his resume is almost ridiculous at that weight. Considering hes a big 147 pounder, i dont think anybody beats him.