Sugar Ray Leonard-Pipino Cuevas 1979-Who Wins?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by janwalshs, May 20, 2010.


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  1. janwalshs

    janwalshs Active Member Full Member

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    In November 1979, SRL met and defeated Wilfred Benitez for the WBC welterweight crown. In a bit of revisionist history, let's say the Leonard camp decided to go after the WBA crown held by Pipino Cuevas. What would the outcome have been?

    In November 1979, Cuevas had just beaten Randy Shields a few months previously in an unexpectedly tough match. The pre-Hearns Cuevas was on a strong winning streak though and was thought by many to be nearly indestructible with ram rod fists and an iron chin.

    With both men's confidence levels sky high, how would this fight have gone? Cuevas just proved he could go the 15 round distance in the Shields fight. Shields, btw, had also given Leonard tough fights in both the amateurs and pros. Leonard had never faced a fighter as strong and hard punching as Cuevas while Pipino had never faced a fighter as quick and skilled as Leonard.

    Personally, I see Leonard as posting a mid round stoppage, say between the 6th and 9th rounds. I think Leonard would likely have been rocked a time or two but ultimately, his superior speed and skills would have been too much for Cuevas. I do think if Pipino would have been able to bust Leonard up in the way he did Espada and Weston, the outcome may be changed. I'd be interested in hearing other thoughts.
     
    janwalshs, May 20, 2010
    janwalshs, May 20, 2010
    #1
  2. ThinBlack

    ThinBlack Boxing Addict banned

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    I think Ray has a couple of scary moments, but his ability would be too much for Pipino.Leonard Ko 8 Cuevas.
     
    ThinBlack, May 20, 2010
    ThinBlack, May 20, 2010
    #2
  3. kenmore

    kenmore Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Leonard wins by easy knockout, probably no later than the fifth or sixth round. Cuevas simply could not have hit Sugar Ray, who was too fast on his feet and too slick defensively to absorb leather. Meanwhile, Leonard could jab the hell out of Cuevas. Sooner or later Pipino takes a devastating right or left hook that he can't recover from, and a follow up combo ends the fight.
     
    kenmore, May 20, 2010
    kenmore, May 20, 2010
    #3
  4. kenmore

    kenmore Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Also, don't forget that in 1979, Cuevas struggled with Randy Shields, and took a long time to dispose of washed up Angel Espada. Cuevas was excellent, but he was no match for a prime Sugar Ray Leonard.
     
    kenmore, May 20, 2010
    kenmore, May 20, 2010
    #4
  5. redrooster

    redrooster Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    This would be a war. I see leonard winning many of the rounds with his speed but Cuevas like the true great he is, turns up the heat like Weaver Tate, Lamotta-Dauthille, and scores a last round knockout
     
    redrooster, May 20, 2010
    redrooster, May 20, 2010
    #5
  6. la-califa

    la-califa Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The '79 version of Leonard. I dont see stopping Cuevas. Going into th Duran fight in June '80. Leonard was very intimidated & allowed Duran to bully him around the ring. He would have been even more intimidated by Cuevas' reputation & numbing power. Leonard would pick his spots & outbox Cuevas to a cautious decision victory. Leonard matured tremendously in the second Duran fight & was alot more comfortable in the big fight atmosphere after that.
     
    la-califa, May 20, 2010
    la-califa, May 20, 2010
    #6
  7. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Cuevas by TKO.

    Ray ducked Cuevas when he had the chance to fight him.

    He blinked in the TV interview after the Harold Volbrecht - Cuevas fight when
    Pipino crushed Volbrecht.

    Instead, Ray next chose Duran, and got bullied.
     
    Longhhorn71, May 20, 2010
    Longhhorn71, May 20, 2010
    #7
  8. redrooster

    redrooster Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I just said Ray would last the 15 for dramatic effect. I dont really believe he'd last that long
     
    redrooster, May 20, 2010
    redrooster, May 20, 2010
    #8
  9. laxpdx

    laxpdx Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think Ray would put up a valiant effort and last a while given his speed, but the cumulative effect of Cuevas' shots take him out late.
     
    laxpdx, May 20, 2010
    laxpdx, May 20, 2010
    #9
  10. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Leonard by either complete shut out or a mid/late stoppage. Cuevas punches too wide and slow to be a big threat to the Sugar Man
     
    PowerPuncher, May 21, 2010
    PowerPuncher, May 21, 2010
    #10
  11. Pachilles

    Pachilles Boxing Addict Full Member

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    **** me solid. Leonard TKO5, completely outguns Cuevas. Then moves on to lose a very close decision to Duran, then makes Duran quit like a *****, then completely outclasses him in the rubber match
     
    Pachilles, May 21, 2010
    Pachilles, May 21, 2010
    #11
  12. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    ......and Tony Ayala ****ed Cuevas up in sparring,so just think what he'd do to Leonard hey?
     
    young griffo, May 21, 2010
    young griffo, May 21, 2010
    #12
  13. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Leonard by KO.

    Different level of fighter.
     
    Bill Butcher, May 21, 2010
    Bill Butcher, May 21, 2010
    #13
  14. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Sheer comedy aint always a bad thing... problem is, rooster beat you to it yrs ago & he`s still going strong.

    Maybe you could try a `Ali aint a top 5 HW` thing or something & stretch that out for about 7 or 8 yrs like rooster has done with his `Leonard is overrated` thing.
     
    Bill Butcher, May 21, 2010
    Bill Butcher, May 21, 2010
    #14
  15. Woller

    Woller Active Member Full Member

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    Leonard by K.O.
    It would be the Leonard v Dave "Boy" Green all over again.

    Woller
     
    Woller, May 21, 2010
    Woller, May 21, 2010
    #15
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