Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Mike McCallum

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by dpw417, Jan 13, 2008.

  1. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Yeah, old Stonehands can piece together a gem or two.
     
  2. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Leonard by wide UD.
     
  3. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Its hard to establish, the nearest thing McCallum came to fighting a Leonard was Herol Graham and Kalambay and he did well coming out 2-1 in 3 close fights but maybe had a few problems with the speed. The nearest Leonard came was probably Hearns or maybe Hagler. Its a pity none of the Fab 4 faced the other Fab 4 (McCallum, Graham, Kalambay, Nunn) to at least get an idea of how they matched up. At least Leonard beat Kalule who beat Kalambay (not sure if this was a fair result but Kalule was also stopped against Graham and McCallum too). I think this shows McCallum did aswell against Kalule as Leonard for what its worth

    I think we can assume a close fight either way given McCallum had close 1s with Kalambay/Graham and Leonard went close, life and death with HEarns/Hagler.
     
  4. natonic

    natonic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Agree with this too. There are different levels of greatness and Ray was a level above McCallum. I can't picture someone completely dominating McCallum at the weight though, so it's a close fight.
     
  5. Mantequilla

    Mantequilla Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The version of Kalule McCallum fought was pretty severely weightdrained unfortunately.Not sure a lot of those other fights have much relevance here.Better just to look at the styles of McCallum and Leonard and see how they match up against each other, not see who did the better against very vaguely similar fighters.

    Leonard's movement, speed advantage and versatlity are going to be a bit too much here imo.
     
  6. anarci

    anarci Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I dont see how you can compare Kalamby and Graham to Leonard,I know those guys were excellent fighters but SRL is on another Level. I just dont see how you compare that trio to Hearns,Hagler,Leonard those guys are elite atg all top 20pfb guys. Mccallum is maybe around 40-50 and Kalamby is a longshot for the Hall and Herol Graham will never get in:patsch
     
  7. Mantequilla

    Mantequilla Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Everyone knows the other fab 4 was Roldan, Hamsho, Antuofermo and Sibbo anyway.

    Have i ever mentioned Sibson would have caved in Graham with a flurry of brutal left-hooks?.
     
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  8. natonic

    natonic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree with this completely............................................As for Curry vs McCallum. Yeah, Curry was ahead in the fight but for me there were some subtle things going on (Curry's eye closing, some body work which may have dropped Curry's hands) that were going to lead to eventual trouble for Curry.
     
  9. Smoochie

    Smoochie Combat sports fanatic Full Member

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    Prime 4 prime I can't see Mc on the 4 kings levels, h2h at least
     
  10. Hi-Tech

    Hi-Tech Active Member Full Member

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    I love Mike and I probably have him above Leonard as one of my favorite fighters of all time. But Leonard, I believe would have been too slick for Mike. SD or UD.
     
  11. SixesAndSevens

    SixesAndSevens Gator Wrestler Extraordinaire Full Member

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    In all likelihood had they actually met in the ring McCallum might've taken it, but in a hypothetical matchup like this (81 Vs 86) I have to go with Leonard. Ray operated on a higher level in his prime, and Mike wouldn't get the chance to wear him down nor finish him off.
     
  12. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I agree .. and where did you go? @McGrain or anybody ?? what happened to this great poster .... time goes by fast
     
  13. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You vs redrooster, going toe to toe. It’s still entertaining nearly 20 years later.

    I miss redrooster. He never failed to bring a smile to my dial lol
     
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  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    :lol:

    I have to say our go rounds were pretty enjoyable. The standard of trolls was so much higher back (so much more personality for one) then and fun could be had. He was back on and off as Mark Durham or something similar. It was him for sure.

    He was a lot of fun in here. I only managed to enrage him once in our entire rivalry, I'm trying to remember what the exact topic was. It was definitely on one of his pet ones. I was both shocked and delighted I'd knocked him off his game after years of ice cool from him hahaha
     
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  15. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    SRL all day for me, he's a terrible match for McCallum. Too fast, long range stamina and a superb chin.
     
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