Leonard's win over Kalule, an underrated victory?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mr. magoo, Apr 15, 2008.


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  1. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I had never seen Sugar Ray Leonard's win over Ayub Kalule until I viewed it on youtube. When we look at Sugar's best wins, the usual names like Hagler, Hearns, Duran and Benitez are normally the first that come to mind, but I think his win over Kalule is somewhat overlooked.

    Ayub Kalule was a 27 year old 36-0 champion with some 5 defenses of the WBA light middleweight title. What's more, Leonard had to rise in weight to face him. I watched this fight, or at least various rounds of it, and Sugar looked very impressive in outboxing and TKO'ing what seemed to me as a very athletic and well skilled fighter. His knockdown of Kalule in the 9th round, shortly followed by a stoppage was rather picturesque in my opinion.

    Does anyone else feel the same way about this fight?
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 15, 2008
    mr. magoo, Apr 15, 2008
    #1
  2. C. M. Clay II

    C. M. Clay II Manassah's finest! Full Member

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    I thought it was great as well, and that it showed he can handle the higher weights.:good
     
    C. M. Clay II, Apr 15, 2008
    C. M. Clay II, Apr 15, 2008
    #2
  3. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Agreed.
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 15, 2008
    mr. magoo, Apr 15, 2008
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  4. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    I think its vastly underated, but watch out magoo....... The Rooster is out of his Den, and he is coming for you....
     
    SuzieQ49, Apr 15, 2008
    SuzieQ49, Apr 15, 2008
    #4
  5. Asterion

    Asterion Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    And people didn't say that Leonard "had to clean the 154 division". He just picked the Lineal title and it was ok.
     
    Asterion, Apr 15, 2008
    Asterion, Apr 15, 2008
    #5
  6. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Very underrated, but that's just my opinion.
     
    Russell, Apr 15, 2008
    Russell, Apr 15, 2008
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  7. Mantequilla

    Mantequilla Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Someone needs to get Kalule's fight with kaalmbay up on youtube.
     
    Mantequilla, Apr 15, 2008
    Mantequilla, Apr 15, 2008
    #7
    Smoochie likes this.
  8. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Someone needs to get a lot of Kalule fights up onto Youtube.
     
    Russell, Apr 15, 2008
    Russell, Apr 15, 2008
    #8
    Smoochie likes this.
  9. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    Yes, it was a solid win over a very good fighter and the recognized champ @ 154.
     
    Thread Stealer, Apr 15, 2008
    Thread Stealer, Apr 15, 2008
    #9
  10. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Were there a lot of good fights worth watching? I would certainly watch them if they were, but I don't know that much about Kalule. He definately has great credentials and looked pretty good against Leonard.
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 15, 2008
    mr. magoo, Apr 15, 2008
    #10
    Smoochie likes this.
  11. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I drove down from graduate school to Big D to watch SRL vs Kalule on
    closed circuit. SRL fought this right before he fought the Hitman....he gave up the Lt. Middleweight title immediately I believe.

    Kalule was lefty, but SRL handled lefities well using his training from the Olympics where lefites were seen more.

    The fight was pretty close, before SRL stopped him in 9.

    time: 3:06 | referee: Carlos Berrocal 78-76 | judge: Harmodio Cedeno 78-76 | judge: Ismael W. Fernandez 78-75 ~
    ~ WBA light middleweight title ~
     
    Longhhorn71, Apr 15, 2008
    Longhhorn71, Apr 15, 2008
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    Smoochie likes this.
  12. redrooster

    redrooster Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    "very athletic"? If Kalule were any slower he'd have birds nesting in his gloves.
     
    redrooster, Apr 15, 2008
    redrooster, Apr 15, 2008
    #12
  13. redrooster

    redrooster Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    the best compliment I can pay him is that he was a well rounded punching bag
     
    redrooster, Apr 15, 2008
    redrooster, Apr 15, 2008
    #13
  14. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    :lol:
     
    SuzieQ49, Apr 15, 2008
    SuzieQ49, Apr 15, 2008
    #14
  15. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Was there a good undercard? I would have loved to have seen that fight live. Leonard looked great in there. Kalule looked pretty good too.
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 16, 2008
    mr. magoo, Apr 16, 2008
    #15
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