Pretty forgotten fighter. -Unbeaten in first 30 fights -Held wins over Azumah Nelson, Louie Espinoza, Ivan Robinson, Micky Ward, Jeff Mayweather and Francisco Bojado. Thats pretty solid resume. He was also WBC Super Featherweight Champion and never avoided one one.
Exactly what I was going to say. I actually think he might've been in his prime at featherweight, but moved up for the title shot at Nelson. He was pretty impressive at 126 and 130 IMO and I thought he would have a long and successful career there, but for whatever reason he couldn't keep his weight down. He never really was the same after getting pounded by Ruelas.
Exposed Oscar outweighed him by more than 10 lbs and was much younger and stronger? So If we think like you Larry Holmes exposed Ali. The ODLH Jesse James fight was just a big payday.
Another of the forgotten lower weight 90's crop. Not saying they were ATG's, but there's no denying they're by and large forgotten. I believe Tzysu busted his eardrum as well.
Leija couldn't pull a win vs Edward Parker (in his fave weightclass!!) and even lost to a non-technical fighter like Arturo Gatti. Leija's skills were limited. Def no technical boxer. Prime Larry Holmes was a quality technician. No shame there. Payday or not. The point is that Leija was no top tech. Plus he had a questionable chin.