Prime for prime - Sugar Ray Leonard v Mike McCallum

A competitive fight that will no doubt go to the cards, but I'm sticking with Leonard. McCallum was a superb natural at 154, but Leonard had no problems competing well at this weight class. His speed and volume would be the key. About the only thing I'd worry about if I were Angelo Dundee, is McCallum's relentless body attacks, which posses a threat for wearing Ray down late. But at the end of the day, I can see Leonard taking a close yet decisive win on points.

 

SRL was gassing in the 9th of the kalule fight & Journyman howard parked him on his arse & Leonard could'nt quit the sport fast enough.

This is a tough 15 rounder & i'am going with the body snatcher too force a corner retirement around 13/14. Kalule was pounding on Leonards head all night & even started to get the crowd roaring him on from the 6th. Leonards not going to move around the ring, he ai'nt ALI, Leonards gonna do what he always did & thats plant-em & unload, but going by the Kalule fight he's gonna get slowly busted up.

I don't doubt leonards balls & heart for a micro second but he could'nt cut it above 154 & if the ref had'nt stopped that Kalule fight right on the bell then Leonard was in very deep dark water as he was gassed after that last do or die assault. Kalule was slowly coming onto leonard & matching him punch for punch & as far as i'am concerned it was all down hill for leonard once the 10th got under way.

McCallam for me is a teak tough top class technician & over 15 he's a lock for the UD or TKO.

 

leonard fiught Howard after being in retirement for more than two years, so its not surprising that he looked rusty. This is supposed to be a prime for prime match-up after all, and I think Leonard's peak ended with the Bruce Finch bout... kalule was finished after that knock down, so I think the referee's decision was a sound one....

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DzCpPsCVwk[/ame]

 

Obviously Kalule was stunned but he was one tough nut & as i said about SRL with regard to his gassing out it's there for all to see as his punches where coming in at wider & wider arc's. OK there power shots as Ray's going for broke, but i'am not so sure he could have upped it in the later rounds as he was tired & just look at the ease at which Kalule was catching him & that was down to fatigue. Hence my opinion that the bodysnatcher would have had his way with Ray over 15.

I think SRL was one of those bright super-nova's that explodes bright then rapidly fades. In the larry bonds fight prior to hearns he struggled & Dundee was screaming at him at the end of the 2nd "You do know you've got a stiff in front of you don't you" & Leonard laboured. But all respect to him when you consider he fought 5 times in 15 months...incredible:deal

 

THis is an amazing match up and I will say here and now a prime McCallum would have been Ray's toughest fight bar none ... Mike had the chin, strength and stamina to make it a brutal affair over 15 and it could go either way .. Kalambay proved Mike could be outboxed but he was a bigger , stronger natural middleweight than Ray ... just not sure ... may favor Ray but would not bet it ..

 

True.

And who knows? I agree that McCallum in his prime would have been a tough proposition for anyone. He was probably one of the very best Jr Middles that ever lived and certainly had an incredible blend of stamina, skill, durability and rare skill - particularly in the defense and body work department. He might very well have beaten Leonard on second though...

 

Leonard UD.

Tough fight for sure but SR piles up points with speed. Kalumbay was tougher for McCallum than Kalule was for Leonard, and Leonard had the right skill set to do what Sumbu did in neutralizing McCallum enough for a win.

Bottom line, Leonard had that champion gene in abundance and would find a way in his biggest challenges.

Great thread.

 

Yet you neglect to mention Mccallum vs Kalule or Kalambay II in your analysis.

 

Leonard would have to dig as deep as he did against Hearns in the first fight. I think he gets it done though in a close and enertaining fight.

Leonard by split decision.

 

Leonard by close but clear UD.

McCallum would have success but I think Ray could use his speed and he was one gritty SOB when he needed it.

 

Ray wins on the cards but is the more damaged of the two, is my best guess. Nearly an even fight, this. I wouldn't make any man 60-40 over the other.

 

I pick SRl over McCallum because of his advantage in foot speed. Ray just moves much better than Mike. I still think Mccallum was the better JW, but foot speed was his achiles heel.

 

For all Leonard's greatness, this is 154. McCallum's better suited to it. Being the bigger man, he systematically body-batters Ray, living up to his nickname in a clear UD.

 

Vintage Kalule fight Leonard has too much for Mike.