Within how many rounds would Sugar Ray Leonard stop PBF? I think that Sugar Ray is a vastly superior boxer and puncher compared to PBF.
I dont know if Ray would stop him,but yes Ray is a better fighter and he would beat Floyd without a doubt in my mind.
I can't help thinking that Ray would have stopped him ala Benitez, via a chessmatch type of strategy, culminating in an explosive tko win. Leonard was the better fighter, IMO.
I think in a 12 rounder Floyd MIGHT last the distance, yet drop a wide decision. But in a 15 rounder I have little doubt that Leonard stops him. Either way, Floyd would be no match for Ray. If Floyd had trouble with a past primmed Oscar, theres no way in hell he deals with a prime Leonard. Ray would be too big, too strong, too fast, and too powerful for Floyd. Ray had considerably faster hands than Floyd, which would make it impossible for Floyd to pot shot, or outbox him. Thats the problem Benitez had with Leonard, and its the problem Floyd would have too. He'd be unable to outbox Leonard from the outside, and if he was forced to fight him Leonard was just too strong for him. All in all... Mayweather has no chance with a prime Ray. Hell... its debatable if Floyd could even beat Benitez. I'd favor Wilfred.
It would be similar to the Leonard-Benitez fight, although FMJ has a better defense and better conditioning (yes Benitez's defense was flashier but he got hit more). Hence it would be a cosish tactical battle where Leonards speed, combinations, athleticism, aggresiveness and size wins him out the verdict
Leonard fought and beat better competition than Floyd. Leonard probably the greatest welterweight ever. He was a more complete boxer skills, athleticism, intelligience, power, and drive. Floyd, sadly would never have entered the ring with someone like Duran ---he wont fight Cotto or Margarito and they called him out like Marquez did. It would have been a KO Floyd's tip tap crap would quickly be shut down by combinations that would finish him. You probably are under 30 yr old and hence could never understand how great Leonard or his opposition was. I think that from the 80's to now Leonard is the greatest Welterweight. I also believe that Napoles could have beat Floyd as well.
Floyd was just really not that good as a welter-jnr middle...not the kind of exceptional he was at the lighter weights.
I think it's a bit unfair to keep denigrating PBF by comparing him to Sugar Ray Leonard. PBF started his career at Super featherweight and Ray Leonard was a natural welter from the get go. Leonard will obviously have a big advantage physically. P4P, I rank Mayweather close to Leonard.
I'd favour leonard by a UD, a TKO is not out of the question but i would not favour this, floyd defence and chin are good enough to see him make the final bell but drop a wide decision IMO.
Leonard wins with a late stoppage Leonard is vastly superior to PBF, so, in my mind, the only question here is how long can Floyd survive