I think so...Leonard is among the greatest athletic talents the sport has seen, almost on par with Jones. But Ray had other intangibles that made him the better overall fighter.
Robinson was considered a first rate prospect for major league baseball. He was also a top tap dancer, perhaps not a sport but certainly requiring top athletic dexterity. I don't know if there is any proof Leonard was the better athlete.
Leonard didnt charge to allow people to marvel at his Electric Boogaloo or his patented version of an impromptu worm ...He gave it away for free at the many nightclubs he frequented, he gave the people want they wanted. He could have performed in Las Vegas...Monte Carlo...London's West End. He could have had it all but it was never about the money for Ray.
Whatever. My bottom line was that Robinson was a very great athlete and nobody has any evidence that Leonard was a better athlete.
Im playing Fogey...Jeez, tough crowd. I dont what it is...Leonard just looks the better athlete to me. In terms of his fluidity, reflexes and quickness on film. That fact about Robinson being a professional dancer does speak to me..you need rhythm, natural timing and to be fleet footed to do that well.. but the baseball reference I dont know about as some of those blokes look about as unathletic as you can get. I dont know about what sports outside boxing Leonard was into or if he excelled at them...but given his size and early introduction to boxing he perhaps never really focused to much of his energies on anything else.
How do you dullards measure athletic ability? Neither competed in a decathlon. Do we have high jump, 100 meter or bench press results for either? However, considering that boxing is an athletic event, and that Robinson proved himself to be quite a bit more proficient than Leonard, Robinson must be considered the better athlete?
Good 1, my initially thought was 'Leonard ofcourse' then I thought, well Leonard put less on his shots and at times did that amateur shoe shining thing, not quite shoe shining but less hurtful, not that he didnt throw hurtful shots himself at times. The way Robinson could cross the ring with such speed to throw a lead right showed allot of athleticism. Also we may not have seen Robi at his most athletic, although I'm not as convinced as some he regressed coming into the last Lamotta fight
Anybody remember the pratfall SRL landed after botching a celebratory back flip attempt when his match with Kalule was stopped? Anyhow, I favor Robby in this comparison. If he'd come along after Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball might have been his sporting choice. As has already been mentioned, he did do some dancing. We also have some home movies of his form off a diving board. Can the relative longevity of the two be completely overlooked here? When we factor in SRL's periods of inactivity and the number of fights he had, his competitive prime was as brief as that of any ATG who lived to retirement. Of course he had to be an outstanding athlete, but superior to Robinson?