Obviously Ray would be rated far higher in an all time great list than Sumbu would but how about the 1988 versions of both men? Supposing Leonard fights Kalambay that year instead of Donny Lalonde?
I have to go Sumbu. He was a legit Middleweight unlike Ray and from 87' to 88' he beat Herol Graham, Iran Barkley and the best fighter in the world at that time Mike McCallum) back to back to back. Bottom line, in 88' Ray was simply looking for titles against limited guys like Donny or huge paydays against the aging fab four.
Hopefully Sumbu’s team would stay away from any WBC sanctioned fight as they heavily favoured Leonard. Also they shouldn’t do what Hagler did and give in to so many of Leonard’s demands. Another factor would be venue as well as judges/referee allocated to the fight. I believe this fight definitely goes the distance which by then outside of the IBF would be 12 rounds. Sumbu should win this but if it does go to the score cards nothing would surprise me. I’d say Sumbu WMD type of score but a controversial Draw or Split loss in favour of Leonard might happen.
I would be amazed if a brilliant but unglamourous fighter like Sumbu would get given the nod if it went the distance over a superstar like Leonard, if it was remotely close, unless he knocked him down perhaps. Hell Hearn's knocked him down twice in their second fight and got a draw.
That's what I'm thinking, if it went the distance I don't see Sumbu Getting the decision, even if it's close. The star power of Leonard probably.
On reflection maybe Leonard had a significant edge in hand speed which may make the difference? Also would Sumbu have enough power to slow him down, despite being naturally bigger? Sumbu had dealt with quick fighters like Graham but Leonard was another level up.
Food for thought. Kalambay would have had the physical advantages over the post prime Leonard but Ray could well have improvised some sort of strategy. Ray was second only to Muhammad Ali in somehow finding different ways to win.
I actually think Sumbu Kalambay could beat all the FAB 4, when he realistically could of fought them. The only one I don't see him beating is Hearns. But during 87-88 era I'd favour him over Hagler, Leonard, Duran. I mean this is a fighter who beat a prime McCallum in the region 9-3, basically gave him a boxing lesson. Who else did that to McCallum in his prime ? Not even Toney who is master boxer. Could separate himself from McCallum in his mid to late 30s.
