Monzon vs Sugar Ray Leonard

Does the version of Hagler that fought Leonard (or Mugabi) beat the version of Valdez that Monzon fought?

 

I don't see why not, he still has the skill advantage and in truth the performances against both Mugabi and Leonard are underrated. Not to mention Monzon himself was beating Valdez at the age of 35, Hagler was 31-32 in those fights and is generally considered Monzon's equal

 

I don't think Hagler looked as skilled as Valdez against Leonard.Mugabi, yes...that was methodical controlled boxing of a high quality for the most part.

His pure boxing against Ray was poor that nght when he attempted it, and he basically resorted to marching forward letting go often telegraphed combinations and winging bombs.

Not saying he wasn't still effective and really good doing it(and might beat Valdez indeed), but it was will over skill.

 

Do you think the reason he didn't look as skilled maybe the opponent he had in front of him and he had that split second or 2 less to get out the way of shots or get off? IMO he realised he had to turn bull after the usual boxer puncher game failed him

 

In part, but he could have gone about the aggressive strategy in a more skilled manner than he did.Keeping his punches a lot tighter for one.the straight left was notably off-form.

I'd say he flat out didn't fight too well that night(as well as being on the decline of course).Ray had really got into his head i guess.

 

Again its harder to get your punches as straight and precise on a moving target when you have to keep quickly resetting your footwork and you end up not being in a position to punch. Hagler never had to hunt a mover of this calbre before.

Hagler's legs in turn probably didn't have the steam they had earlier in his career but I'm sure he was prepared to the utmost for this fight, he likely trained harder than he had in a long time. From what I remember though Leonard himself seemed a little gassed at times and resorted to taking rounds off.

 

Hagler had slowed when Leonard caught up with him, but Leonard surely made him look worse than he was. Leonard's movement is in many ways close to perfect in the fight. He uses angles and widens/closes distance at precisely right moments. What's missing is punching off his moves.

 

That's a bold prediction I'd say.

 

I'd fancy Leonard to pull it out UD (15)

 

monzón was stronger than hearns , he had much better chin, and he was a natural middle(one of the best if not the best mw ever) ,hearns was not. great difference

 

Do you peg Leonard for an upset Paul?
Leonard was an incredible all time talent so it isn't out of the realm of possiblity. Bouttier did pretty well for a time against Monzon in the first fight, and Licata also troubled Monzon a bit with movement. But fifteen rounds is a long time. Leonard eventually had to come down off his toes as he did to engage Hearns after he hurt him, Leonard won't be able to hurt a bigger Monzon, that leaves him the only option of having to move continually like he did in the early rounds against Hearns...He might steal some of those rounds, but the physical exertion necessary on a smaller man to do that would be tremendous. I just Leonard struggling to make it close, where as Monzon would be in cruise control after the middle rounds. I think Monzon would close the gap and pull ahead down the stretch. Monzon is the epitome of a consistant champion. Either at the top, or very, very , near it at the middleweight limit. I think Monzon used his attributes to the fullest of any champion I've seen on film.

 

I know, but I personally roll with the notion that Hagler had slipped by the time Ray was actually up for fighting him.

 

I agree with that. But a Leonard who'd stayed active (without injuries or personal/drug problems) and gradually made his way up to MW would be a clearly better fighter than the one who faced Hagler IMO.

Very speculative of course. But it's a bit sad that Leonard, just like Ali, missed out on his best years. He could have peaked at LMW and really been a force there. There were some very good LMWs around at the time, so we probably missed out on a couple of really good fights.

 

The Kalule win was super impressive IMO.