I recently just rewatched Leonard vs Hagler, and I came to the conlcusion that Ray would probably recieve more criticism for his "running" than De la Hoya if this fight was to take place in today's media. What are your'e thoughts as to how he would be percieved today.
One fight does not make a carrier. He stood toe-toe with the WW with the most devistating offensive arsenal ever and beat him. :good He would be a demi god.
Hopefully this is the last time Ray and DLH are mentioned in a thread againatsch In the last 4 rounds of Leonard-Hagler, particularly rounds 9 and 12 Ray actually showed his mettle fighting off the ropes fighting one the best Middleweights in History. DLH ran in EACH of these rounds and didn't even TRY to engage, BIG difference:scaredas:
I see what you're saying, but in that fight Ray NEVER had that "deer in the headlight" look where you actually "questioned his manhood." I just think that Ray knew what he was up against, and RIGHTFULLY SO, and fought accordingly... I love the sequence when Marvin told Ray to "fight you little *****," to which Ray repled, "NOOOOOOOOOO."
Just seems ike a bit of a daft thread. What Oscar did against Tito was nothing like how Sugar fought Hagler. Leonard beat a top 2 MW it was is and always will be a fantastic victory, now or ever.
He was on his bicycle in the Hagler fight, but then again, why would Leonard stand toe-to-toe with Hagler at 160. That would be insane. Especially after you saw Hearns attempt the same thing and eventually got knocked silly. Hagler took punches very well and Leonard would lost if he would've stood still. But don't compare SRL to DLH. You saw the difference and the 9th and especially the 12 round. In both rounds Hagler had Leonard on he ropes--tired and in trouble, and both times Leonard was able to back Hagler up with his combinations. Heart of a champion. That statement/flurry he made in the 12th was legendary.
Fighters never get the true respect they deserve until after they retire. Just look at Pernell Whitaker.
Personally I view the result harshly, not the fight Leonard fought. He shown a lot of nerve in that fight, and was smart enough to be brave in quite a few rounds, if that makes sense to anyone other than me. My issue is the score itself, which didnt really reflect the encounter as a whole. No issues with SRL on his fight though.
In what round did Hagler say that. I'd love to go back and look. DLH knew what he was up against too. Go back and look at what Tito did to welterweights who tried to engage with him. Tito had such an advantage over everyone in one punch stoppage power its unfair to ask a superior boxer to not use all his skills to beat him.
Watching Leonard fight off the ropes is a beautiful thing. I have to say he had probably fastest hands ever at welterweight. His combos were lightning fast and effective. He would annhilate anyone at welter today including Floyd.