Sugar Ray Leonard Gets an Awful Lot of Negativity

One of the very greatest pound for pound fighters ever. The best welterweight since the original Sugar for sure.

 

I was disappointed to learn about the drug and spousal abuse but I liked the way he carried himself.

 

Yeah, he was an obnoxious ***** that robbed opponents.

He didn't outgun ****, he was getting beat up until Hearns got tired.

He pushed for an immediate rematch with Duran knowing Duran would have trouble losing weight,
And Hagler beat his arse but was robbed by the refs.

 

As a fan I have to weigh the fact that he is in my top 10 of all time along with the fact he overshined Hagler (my favorite boxer ever) and Hearns (another one of my top 10), he definitely treated them like the B-sides, but honestly they were.

He was filled with a smiling, boyish hubris but to be considered one of the greatest ever and not even having broken 40+ fights, you have to be fueled by something....................

 

He kinda does, yes.

 

He refused to grant immediate rematches to Hagler & Hearns but pushed for a quick rematch against Duran to in order to capitalize on his poor condition. SRL was a snake.

 

Always respected him as one of the greatest fighters and one who created memorable moments. As a person, I hold him in high regard. He made mistakes in his life but grew from them and is a positive role model IMO. Also, I’ll always be grateful, on a personal note, for the way he welcomes myself and Eder Jofre and his family into his home. That was an incredible experience. Leonard is always class.

 

Always thought he was the best fighter of my lifetime

 

Never have liked him. Never will like him.

 

Exactly. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

It seems somewhat slanted and persecuting to put Ray under the spotlight while seemingly giving many others a pass (by their obvious omission).

Ray Robinson was known to be a savvy negotiator also I believe - though ultimately Walker Smith Jr. fought them all - and went for at least a few more laps again in many instances.

As a potential detraction from his own rep., Duran could fight incredibly dirty at times - the Davey Moore fight being one prime example - including blatant thumbing and lacing - yet, Duran can still be celebrated for those features to his game.

Suffice to say, among other names Roberto was called “Duranimal” - and I’m pretty sure that was meant as a compliment.

I agree with whoever (sorry can’t recall the member) that the bulk of negativity might come from the fan bases of the more renowned fighters Ray beat -

I will say I was more than peeved when Ray got the draw against Tommy in their rematch. I could understand people complaining that it seemed Ray still had the golden spoon wedged in his mouth.

That was so wrong imo - Hearns deserved the decision but that fight now remains etched in history as one of boxing’s more skewed calls.

 

I've watched boxing since the early 80s and SRL is the best I've seen ability wise.

The only one of the 4 kings to hold a W over the other 3.. No matter what people say about the Hagler fight.. As my mate used to say.. Check the record books.

He could do it all except out fight Duran when he got suckered into brawling. When SRL fought his fight against most men ... He won, found a way to win. Norris and Camacho were non entities who owuldbt have lived with a prime SRL