Prime for prime - Sugar Ray Leonard v Mike McCallum

Ray was a greater fighter than McCallum, and the first guy to beat Mike was Kalambay,who had a very close style to Leonard, but could not punch as hard. Ray would beat Mike, who is being a little overrated nowadays.

 

I consider Mike as the best Jr. MW ever and I don't think I see him losing to anyone at this weight. I really think McCallum would be just a bit too smart against Leonard and probably could outbox him the same way Hearns did but without the stoppage.

 

Interesting take.

McCallum was a skilled boxer no question about it. Mike doesnt have the height, reach and range of Hearns though. That had alot to do with it IMV. I dont know that McCallum was as fast as a Hearns.

 

I see Leonard starting fast and winning alot of the early rounds and McCallum coming on strong in the last half of the fight behind a steady body attack. Leonard would win a split decision over 15 rounds and not give McCallum a rematch.

 

I pick Ray by UD, but Mike would be tough all the way through. I think Ray's speed edges for him but those late rounds would be interesting.

 

Mike did better against Kalule for what it's worth. I see his jab as a key here. Leonard never integrated movement and attack in the way Kalambay did, and was smaller, so I don't see him replicating Sumbu's performance.

What really should have been a win for McCallum becomes a draw or a sd for Leonard on the cards.

 

Takes something special to beat a prime Leonard. And mike isn't quite special enough to do it.

 

I didn't notice I commented twice on the same thread. it came back. I don't think my opinion changed much.

 

Leonards speed takes him home here. McCallum struggled plenty with Curry's speed before the family chin gave out.