It truly had it all this one. The skills The action The willingness to hurt and be hurt Two future greats in their prime unafraid to put it all on the line.
That's the extent of it? That's just nitpicking a fact. And was Leonard even in his prime at that stage? He was quite young at the time.
I think he had not yet fully matured at that point. He definitely kept improving as a fighter. And that was a big learning experience for him. I truly believe Leonard was at his best vs Hagler. His body had rested. He didn't have to focus on making weight. He was sharp, fast and in fantastic shape. Add to that all the experience he had accumulated and it likely was him at his boxing peak.
No doubt a loss can mature a young, brash fighter and Leonard employed a better game plan in the rematch. But no way was he peak against Hagler. He retired 5 years earlier because he had to have eye surgery, only making a brief and widely panned comeback in the interim.
I dont know man, if you compare Leonard of Duran 2 vs Hagler; he hadn't lost a step. If anything, he was more technically precise.
