Pipino Cuevas vs Ray Leonard

Is yr real name Rupaul or Caitlan?

 

Ray is just to polished to get caught by Pipino's left hook. I'd say he outboxes Cuevas and survives a few big shots to stop Cuevas in the later rounds 13 or 14.

 

Wow!

 

Th

Thanks, he wouldn`t have fought Pipino in `82 would he?

 

No, I simply forgot Ray fought in 82, I knew he came back and fought Howard, he was very dissapointed with that fight and retired again.

 

Very unlikely. Had he not been forced to retire, Ray's ultimate goal was a superfight showdown with Marvin Hagler and this may well have happened as early as late 82 though 1983 was probably the more realistic time for it to have happened.

 

While I think Leonard was an ATG, prime Pipino Cuevas is way underrated and was a force of nature before he just flamed out. I'd take a 1978-1979 Cuevas to beat a pre-Duran Leonard who wasn't quite at his peak. Cuevas would've steamrolled Palomino IMO too.

 

Could be ....could be not

 

If Cuevas can provoke Leonard into a brawl as Duran did, Cuevas has a chance. Otherwise Leonard uses movement to frustrate Cuevas, eventually setting him up for mid to late round KO.

 

This content is protected

 

This would have been a great, interesting fight and it is unfortunate that it didn't take place. I believe it would have happened but for Pipino taking on Tommy Hearns and losing in such a devastating manner. Of course, Tommy then went on to fight Leonard in the fantastic welterweight showdown. A few years earlier, that welterweight showdown would have been Cuevas vs Palomino. There was an unbelievable array of talent in the welterweight class at that time and the title frequently changed hands among those super talents. Cuevas really wasn't the same fighter after the Hearns fight, and he lost by KO to Roberto Duran.

A Cuevas-Leonard fight taking place in real time would have the promise of a lot of excitement. Pipino had that devastating hook and amazing power. Leonard had plenty of power as well but in addition had well-developed boxing skills by the time he challenged for a title. I believe he would have boxed Cuevas through the early rounds, being cautious yet always looking for openings. I believe his all-around ability would eventually prevail and I would look to see him stop Cuevas in the middle rounds. Cuevas started fighting at a very young age (14?) and by his early twenties had burned out. But while on top he was great, and if the timing and matchmaking had worked out better in his favor, he might today be remembered as even greater.

 

As. Matter of fact right now I am watching Cuevas KOs on ytube and listening to Led Zeppelin. Beautiful way to spend an afternoonoon.

 

You know if you don’t beat somebody twice it doesn’t count.

Except for Sandy Saddler, who apparently would have had to beat Pep 8 out of 8 for some to say he’s almost as good as Willie.

 

Pipino + Immigrant song = bliss.

 

Cuevas was possibly the most destructive puncher in welterweight history.
I don't think even Hearns broke as many bones as Cuevas did. Cuevas
broke jaws , eye sockets, and the ribs of a number of his opponents.

But against prime Leonard at welterweight he would get stopped with -in
10 rds. Possibly 5. Leonard would repeatedly beat him to the punch.
Cuevas would wind up to get that destructive force in his fist. A fighter
of Leonard's ability would see that and salivate at the opportunities to
counter him.
After the 1st couple rds of Leonard using the jab and moving, stepping
away from that destructive hook Leonard would get more flat footed,
and start tattooing Cuevas with sharp counters. Leonard didn't punch
like Hearns so the fight would go longer. But by the 4-5th rd Leonard
would clearly be in charge. Snapping Cuevas's head back repeatedly
with jab,cross or right lead, hooks , Leonard's hook being much faster
would eventually find the sweet spot.
Theirs on old saying in boxing that " You should never hook with a hooker".
But Leonard's left hook was blindingly fast. Leonard wouldn't get their with
more, but he definitely would get their faster.
Leonard stops Cuevas between the 4-10th rds. In this match-up of two
ATG's. Leonard was simply better in every department with exception
of power...... But Leonard could turn out the lights of a opponent also.... Ask D.Green.