Is Sugar Ray Leonard The Most Complete Fighter Ever

He stood toe to toe with Duran....and lost. By a round, ok, but he still lost. Second fight he was much smarter, and played with Duran's head. Knowing that Duran was partying li ke a Roman with his eyes on fire, and was seriously out of shape, SRL got Duran to get back in the ring with him very quickly. So he was a super strategist for sure, and knew his man. He knew if he toyed with Duran his (Duran's) macho mentality would crumble.

I agree that when talking about all around fighter, most complete boxer, he's in the top 10-15 all time.

 

I thought louis was the most complete even though he fought trash which one is it?,neither one are top 50 cause both are way out of date compared to 70s-now

 

No, they're still top 20 ATGs. Great is great.

 

No their not cause I'm not talking of a status I'm talking skill only

 

Intelligent fighters …play to their strengths and their opponents weaknesses…he couldn’t out brawl Hagler …so he outboxed him …he couldn’t outbox Hearns ..so he out brawled him ….that’s what makes him complete

 

Why does every thread about Sugar Ray Leonard… turn into a who would I like to drink a beer with thread ?

 

But he isn't complete cause he is out of date fighters since 80s have been more skilled all around ,those fighters you named wouldn't give as much trouble to fighters from 90s,most dont look impressive from those old era's to me compared

 

The greatest boxers cut off the ring rather than follow someone around like a puppy dog.

They also have enough ring IQ to not try to prove a point by boxing orthodox and giving away rounds rather than playing to their strengths.

Marvin was good but he — I won’t say froze, but hesitated on the biggest stages (first title fight vs. Vito, Duran, Leonard) and that speaks a bit to a flaw. Not a huge one, but a flaw nonetheless.

 

Great to see you posting again brother!

Yes, Leonard is right up there when discussing the most complete fighters ever. Among other features, loved his body work in some fights. Super entertaining, like watching a terrific multi plot movie - even with a twist ending - vs Hearns 1.

 

They had incredible skill.

 

Love Ray Leonard, and on pure skills, athletic ability, heart, and killer instinct. He ranks up with the very best to lace the on.
Indeed, he could out skill the best stylist, out brawl the best brawlers, out punch the best punchers. He proved that.
But though he IS the 2nd best welterweight in history, he did leave a lot of meat on the bones.
The eye injury of course was the catalyst, but his own personal demons also was a factor in a career that should've been so much more.
I believe he would've beaten Hagler in 1982 when the fight was initially conceived.
He beats Pryor and Curry also. His biggest threat probably would've been a rematch with Hearns at Jr. Middleweight, the division he seemed to be at his most dangerous.
Leonard''s career though very successful , could've been so much more.
But on pure all around talent and head to head competition at welterweight. Only one fighter is better in my opinion, that other, that original "Sugar Ray".

 

Plus the colorful trunks, tassels on their shoes.

 

Leonard was a complete fighter certainly. Can't say he was the most complete, perhaps the most famous. Already mentioned the original Sugar Ray.

Benny Leonard was a complete fighter, Emile Griffith, Roberto Duran,, Jose Napoles, Bernard Hopkins, Evander Holyfield. Too many to name.

 

Leonard fought in the 1980s, what are you talking about?

 

He was an animal in every aspect of his gifts. Any trainer could’ve done something with such a raw and phenomenal specimen.