Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Sugar Ray Leonard

Well, why I pick the original Sugar Ray is mainly due to superior firepower. Both Rays superfast, superskilled and both could punch, but Robinson had the overall harder edge. After a blur of speed, skills and punches, SRR prevails by late TKO.

 

I note this is the Thread Starter's first post. Welcome aboard.

In general, I would favor Robinson to win, and if they were to fight three times, I think SRR takes two of them for certain. But I think Leonard could certainly pull out a victory in the first fight, because his style and slightly superior defense might cause Robinson a lot of problems- at least for long enough for Leonard to bank enough rounds to win.

Leonard wasn't quite as gifted offensively, and didn't hit quite as hard, but he was just about as fast, was tremendously determined, and probably hit hard enough to get Robinson's attention at some point.

 

Can Robinson get past Leonard's jab? That's the main question for me.

 

It's a bit lazy that i always bring up my old thread on this topic whenever it re-emerges but anyway, here's my post from a while back on it-

At welterweight this bout is more or less stamped as a toss up exclusively across the board. In my opinion Robinson was flat out better and had more than Leonard as a boxer and a fighter. For one to visualise the chess match in centre ring between the two, it is important to remember how both fought there. Leonard was one to throw single rapid shots in mid ring before much developments had been made. A quick fire snapping jab, he'd circle and release a lightning fast left hook, if the range was right, an overhand right, all with a view to setting up more offense. If his man was all over him then he'd release combos, if his man was backing up he'd release combos, if his man was hurt he'd finish him. Robinson, in a centre ring chess match, had more for my money. He could jab, he could shut a man out with the jab. He could fire, precise four and five punch varied combos when both men were standing off one another trying to get the leverage, before any developments had occurred in the bout, just right off the bat. Up close, he was a better body puncher than Leonard in my opinion also.

Leonard has the edge in handspeed, but like i said, what's he going to do, shoot a power shot, a pot shot in centre ring, hurt Ray Robinson then administer a beating? I highly doubt it. Or is he going to circle, moving laterally, with a gamplean set up to outbox and counter Robinson? Nah, any type of fight like that means you get hunted and hit in succession by likely the most claculated and well thought out, (not to mention effective) offense ever.

I think the fight is a classic, and it's even close. Leonard would even win some rounds with his jab, and he'd bounce heavy artillery off the head of Robinson. But Robinson would beat him. The way Duran hurt Leonard in round two from a centre ring area, that's Robinson's bread and butter, and he is likely better at it than Duran. Robinson would get nasty, he has more and he would use it, and he never stops. He would have Leonard in retreat at times and he'd capitalise, and he'd win a close fight. But in the end i reckon he would truly remind Leonard why he choes to copy the nickname of the great man he did. Walker Smith would make Ray Leonard realise why he was given the moniker 'Sugar', and why he copied it. To a degree he would be his daddy.

 

Tough fight, very close and hard to call.I think Robinson would be able to overwhelm Leonard with volume and combination punching, and at least compete in terms of footspeed. Leonard could win a bunch of rounds with the jab... I think that if Leonard kept his feet moving for as many rounds as possible with a hit-and-away rhythm he might be able to take a UD. Overall I would still give it to Robinson for what was mentioned above.

 

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I agree with your choice of winner,but I see Leonard taking Robnson the distance in a tight bout. Both Sugars were very durable fighters.

 

i just think Robbie is too smart for him and with too much experience. That, plus Ray Leonard would be very intimidated as he was after the first two rounds of facing Terry Norris. i dont believe RL could do anything to throw Robbie off his game (Robbie has faced the better competition by far)...although RL would give him an excellent workout. A close fight? No, but I see Robbie intentionally slowing to allow RL to win a few rounds, maybe like six, and to last the distance that would insure a rematch

 

:rofl:rofl

Very close fight this 1, I'd go with Robinson's better punching edging it, Leonards speed/movement are problems for him though

 

One of the most popular dream matchups,this one. I doubt if there would be any knockdowns,and both men would be overly cautious in the early rounds.

 

I think Leonard has the better jab, and might not allow Robinson to counter his way forth.

 

What happens if what you say does occur (and in my opinion it wouldn't), and then Robinson simply fights hell for leather, maintaining all of his typical skillset?

 

I've got to be honest, i don't see this scenario wherein Leonard does really well because of his movement and speed. Robinson's footwork was ridiculously great, he could keep up with anyone. Leonard would likely get some points from doing it, but only because he's good at it, it's hardly going to be some major foil for Robinson's style and give Leonard a huge advantage on the cards. I doubt that highly personally.