Sugar Ray Leonard v Chris Eubank 1991

Depends, was Leonard past it or weight drained against Norris? Was Norris's style/speed all wrong for him (at this stage at least) or was he just done. It's easy to devalue this win for Norris and many do. Eubank wasn't as quick and technically has weaknesses, he doesn't fight at a fast pace and is a counter puncher. As a style Leonard matches up well against it, the 87-89 version would outbox Eubank, he'd get off first and get out before Eubank could counter him and be smart enough not to trade, Eubank would be forced to hunt Leonard down, probably wins the championship rounds but doesn't do enough. The 91 version who knows?

 

Eubank was so much bigger and stronger than Leonard, that the first time he gets through with three punches on the spin it's over.

 

Wow, really interesting matchup this...

 

Leonard managed Dan Sherry and watched the tape of Eubank's win over Benn and in the ITV pre-fight feature (of Eubank/Sherry) said of Eubank, 'He reminds me of me!'

Some compliment.

 

It would have been Curry/McCallum all over again:yep

 

Eubank by KO in the nighborhood of rds 8-10!

 

Eubank by UD.

The Leonard of 87 outboxes Eubank handily however.

 

by 1991, Leonard seemed washed up and he had a tough fight with Hearns in 1989 which affected him. I pick Eubank by decision.

 

This.

 

Leonard was cooked by this point. Also this is before Eubank had a reputation for too much posturing. Chris fought to the level of his opponent and he'd rise to decision or even stop this version of the Sugarman.

 

I wanted to see this.

I wanted to see how the Leonard reaction to those pre-fight tactics of Eubank. And the posturing and taunting and all those other things Chris did during the fight. I sure didn't think Leonard handled that stuff well when he finally did face that when he fought Camacho. And I think it forces him to fight a different fight. It had been a long time since he was on his toes and boxing. The style for Norris and Camacho was flat footed and leaning way to the side. Much more hittable defensively and far less accurate than his youth. And then he'd throw wide telegraphed and almost sloppy right hand leads. Fall in. Habits he never had before. I sure don't see that working against the youth and reflexes of Eubank. Let alone the chin factor if Leonard did land anything.

I think this bout had about as much chance of happening as did those early rumors of Leonard facing a prime Nunn.