Kid Gavilan vs Sugar Ray Leonard

Tin_Ribs · Nov 28, 2023

That said I take absolutely no issue with anyone picking Leonard.

Clinton · Nov 30, 2023

Gavilan was superb, but I believe Lenny just a hair better and would demonstrate it against the Kid.

No_name_tard · Nov 30, 2023

Tin_Ribs said: ↑

Obviously very close like everyone has more or less said.

Leonard 's game at his best where he generally best took hold of a fight was to sophisticatedly impose his speed, variety and offensive timing with aggressive finesse to beat his opponent to the draw. He was excellent defensively in terms of slipping punches when focusing more particularly on that part of things, and had good lateral/peripheral movement, but wasn't quite at his best slipping and countering with intent on the slow burning retreat like Robinson was imo, which is what Robinson had to do at mid to long range in order to eventually take the ball out of Gavilans hands in a very tough fight by all accounts in their title fight.

Gavilan was horrible to beat if you were going to take the play to him and try to win via an exchange of fast-handed slugging or a generally aggressively minded approach. Ray was a lot more than a fast slugger obviously, but anyone trying to press Gavilan and get off first, however skilled, is going to be in for a long night, Leonard included imo. It's very rare that I'd consider him to be on the wrong end of things styleswise, so complete that he generally was. But maybe here.
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Leonard wasn't that effective when he had to press and lead the action, especially against elite opposition. I think he would probably take duties as the outboxer in this one, where he was more successful. Good analysis of his defense. He was clearly capable but never truly looked like a slick boxer in there. Perhaps it's down to defensive responsibility and awareness than ability.

jabber74 · Nov 30, 2023

Gavilan was extremely durable and one of the few fighters never to have been stopped. He was a competitor who could fight anybody but I have to go with Leonard for sure in this matchup.

Leonard had a better boxing brain and could think and adapt better. He had more to offer overrall.

Gavilan struggled against Billy Graham who was really a stand up straight boxer, much slower than SRL. There were guys that beat Gavilan. Danny "Bang Bang" Womber was a big underdog and beat Gavilan. If he could do it, then so could Leonard.

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Kid Gavilan vs Sugar Ray Leonard

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Kid Gavilan vs Sugar Ray Leonard

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