Prime Mayweather vs. Prime Sugar Ray Leonard

Prime Sugar Ray Leonard had a lot in common with the Floyd that you see today, beating up on the likes of Ricky Hatton and a blown-up Juan Manuel Marquez. Of course, handspeed is a powerful weapon possessed and utilized by both men. It's apparent in Ray's destruction of Andy Price and Davey Boy Green, and equally in Floyd's dominance of Marquez last time out. His lead right hand counter was particuarly noteworthy, whereas Ray dazzled spectators in combination. I think that's the main factor here that should see Ray win a hard earned, competitive victory over 12 rounds.

I haven't seen suffcient amount of evidence from Floyd to suggest he is capable or indeed comfortable with throwing combination's as a Welterweight. An athlete with Floyd's pedigree, talent, and work ethic can surely throw a three punch combination but he just doesn't do it. For that reason, his pot-shotting will be to avail against Ray, who possessed equally impressive hand-speed, only he threw in combination. Mayweather's shoulder roll and savvy defensive maneuvering will still be eye-catching in spots, but Ray will land, and even if he doesn't, he'll take the round on work rate and explosiveness alone.

The last time I saw Mayweather in a fight with a guy who had comparable handspeed to himself was when he fought Zab Judah. As you must realise, through the first 3 rounds of that fight, Judah was landing beautiful counterpunches, and his body work was finding the target more often than not. Frankly, Mayweather looked in trouble. Judah was a front runner, Ray was a thoroughbred who always found a way to win, not only as a result of his talent and athleticism, but also his character...something Judah didn't have.

 

I am not now, nor have I ever been, a big Ray Leonard fan. I hated the ****er for years after he stopped Hearns. However, I've always recognized and appreciated his abilities. I'm not a PBF fan, but I do recognize his skill as well.

Pound for pound Ray Leonard was one of the baddest dudes on the planet when he was at 147. Every single thing little Floyd does, SRL did better. He was bigger, faster, stronger, a better finisher, had better defense, et, et. Ray ruled the division during an era when it was stacked with fighters who are better than anything little floyd ever even had nightmares about.

In the SRL, Hearns, Benitez, Duran era little Floyd would have been a second tier fighter.

 

Just pulling your chain earlier brother, who's the kid in your avatar?

 

Agree with the first two paragraphs... particularly the bolded part. I hope we get to see Floyd throw some combinations against Shane.

 

Cute kid, congratulations.

Just like to clarify, I'm not a fan of Floyd Mayweather Jr...I just think everyone who steps inside the squared circle deserves a little bit of respect. Your avatar didn't qualify.

 

Leonard beats Mayweather.

Too powerful, a tad faster, much better combination puncher, more versatile & not that its needed but naturally bigger as well.

Floyd might survive to lose a clear 12 rd decision but there is just as much chance that he`ll get stopped in the late rds.... Ray was one of the best finishers of the past 50 yrs.

 

Ridiculous quote, its not all about who hasn't lost, I am a Floyd fan but to say you're greater than Leonard or Ali because you haven't lost is idiotic.

Leonard would have beaten Floyd in a comfortable UD.

 

well the ***** should have shut up then.

 

The Ring discussed this recently, and took into account era that Sugar Ray fought in, so it would have been over 15 rounds.

They had Ray stopping Mayweather late on.

 

Leonard by 2nd round KO.

 

Interesting.

This is a serious question, not a flame. Did FMJ really said those words (or to that effect, mentioning those 5 names) ? If so, where's the article / interview or video.