ray robinson v ray leonard?

When they met in Montreal, they were both at their best, and Duran's skill-set and fighting style prevailed, over the best that Leonard could bring.

THAT was their defining fight and Duran won.

The early rematch was pressed by the Leonard camp because Duran had ballooned after the fight. He had to lose a lot of weight in a short time.

He was on laxatives during the week of the fight. I've even heard that he was suffering from bowel cramps going in, and badly needed to ****, AFTER the fight started.

At any rate, in Montreal, Duran put on one of the many great and defining displays of a great career.


In answer to the thread question: SRR wins at any weight.




PS.

I'm someone who has defended Leonard's legacy against the iconoclastic Redrooster.

Several times !

 

Yes, during the first round and some of the second. Watch the middle rounds and you'll see Leonard wasn't covering up. Leonard did spin away briefly and moved a little throughout the first couple of rounds. But even during those rounds he was content standing his ground. And another thing that needs to be picked upon, Duran was at times was happy to fight Leonard at long range, he wasn't quite the 'bull in a china shop' throughout the entire fight. You're contradicting your initial thoughts from earlier posts based around Leonard fighting his normal fight; standing within range, decent footwork, and not employing the sufficient movement he did during the rematch. Now you're telling me Leonard indeed was moving and keeping the fight at his pace but Duran forced him into fighting his fight.

Leonard IMO was indimidated by Duran and it showed in his performance. Leonard clearly wasn't at his best from a strategic angle anyway. I'll tell you another thing, no matter our slight disagreement on Leonard's strategy, he wasn't boxing behind the jab as much as he showed against Benitez and others. On the move or not. Credit to Duran for imposing himself on Leonard, controlling the fight, showing better variation offensively, and being the defensive master out of them both.

 

It's a no brainer!
I'd go with Sugar Ray all the way :good

 

I said he was using movement and keeping the fight at a distance, which is what he often did unless the pace was forced on him, as Duran did. Difference being here that Leonard simply didn't have what it took to give it back the way he did so many other opponents.