horrible mismatch here besides the jab, Ray did everything better than Oscar did and would easily beat him at his own game. Ray would get off first with more hand speed, more powerful combos, going to the body .... Oscar bruised and battered gasses in this one and his stopped in Round 10 Oscar would have to stay outside and run .. what is he going to do? jump in . let his hands go, and jump out against the best ever to do it ?? no way
Ray wins but Oscar was a big strong boy who was stopped only twice in his career, once when he was past it and once when BHop nailed him with a liver puch.
Look at how Shane Mosley repeatedly beat Deloyhoya to the punch. Now put the bigger, faster, better skilled, and more powerful Leonard in his place. No doubt Deloyhoya would fight bravely, but the result would be obvious. After a cautious early start for Leonard, he steps on the gas, batters Deloyhoya for a 10th rd TKO. No one would questions the decision for the stoppage.
Ray is probably the most underrated body puncher, that is just not talked about enough in that regard on this forum ... He had a massive amount of leverage and torq going to the body .. Oscar was open for the counter to the body .. Are you forgetting what whitaker did to Oscars ribs? He broke 2 of them .. imo, the robotic ODLH has no chance against the relaxed SRL .....
I wouldn’t hesitate to pick a peak 79-82 Leonard over Oscar. Oscar did most things at a high level. Ray did them even better. SRL by clear decision, or maybe a late stoppage on a fatigued Oscar. Ray was a great finisher.
Leonard just does everything better than ODLH, I see it going the distance by with Leonard winning a pretty clear decision in a good fight.
thought I remember reading of a rib injury from the fight .. but looks like my memory failed me here and I was wrong thinking about something else .. thanks for the correction ...
Oscar De La Hoya’s amateur bouts are very good his best professional performance is against Jesse James Leija at Lightweight.
