I was checking out some Leija vs Nelson action today and then started going through some articles etc. Along the way I came across Leija: The best I ever faced https://www.ringtv.com/378805-best-ive-faced-jesse-james-leija/ In this article he answers the question is there anyone he wished he had faced...he answers Gatti years before it happened. Was there any talk of Leija vs Gatti between 94-98? Wad Gatti or his team avoiding this fight? I don't really picture Gatti or Leija fearing to face anyone based upon their resumes? Could Leija have beat him when he was 26-30 (rather than 38) and at 130? Or is this just nostalgic and delusional talk of a retired fighter? Thanks in advance for any input
Around 1995 I would favor Leija. For a time he was a borderline elite fighter. But after he lost to Oscar De La Hoya he clearly lost a step and started dropping fights to guys he should have won. A few years ago I had an hour long conversation with Leija (I used to write articles in the original ESB days) for an article I'd planned to write. Interestingly he pinpointed the ODLH fight as a turning point. He explained that he'd trained as hard as possible, leaving no stone unturned. He said he'd never felt so great on a fight night. And he got blown out. He said that after having training go perfect only to be humiliated in 2 rounds, he lost focus. He was also very candid in admitting that after that, he really didn't need a whole lot of persuading to pack it in when fights started going bad. He also said that he was EXTREMELY injury prone. Anyone who is closely tuned in to boxing knows that fighters are always dealing with nagging injuries. But Jesse James emphasized that he was always hurt: elbow problems, neck problems, shoulders/knees/knuckles/wrists. When you throw that in with a propencity to cut and swell and you would expect a guy to have a record like he did.
Also of possible interest: JJL and Gatti had a common opponent in Gabe Ruelas. Leija said he and Ruelas keep in close touch, as old rivals are prone to do. Unfortunately Gabe isn't doing so hot, i.e. memory loss.
