WHAT IF.......Leonard had not retired from ages 25-30??

msrkmsr · Apr 1, 2008

AlonzoGreene said:

No one can really say that. He would've had to face Hearns again (whom was beating Leonard until an bad stoppage-- considering the circumstances, in my opinion). He would have had to have a rubber match with Roberto Duran (the 2nd bout was clouded in controversy when Leonard admittingly pushed Duran into losing a ton of weight in a very short time in the contract stipulations). He would have probably fought a prime Hagler prior to 1987 (who beats Leonard).

Leonard stayed away from a Hagler fight and Hearns rematch for a reason, he didn't want to jeopardize his already established legacy. Leonard knew that he was somewhat fortunate to escape with a victory against Hearns. Leonard knew he couldn't beat Hagler until after he saw that Hagler had declined during the Mugabi fight. Then after he talks to Hagler and realizes that Hagler's heart and desire is no longer in boxing, SRL begins to publically push for the fight.

Everyone sees how Hearns legacy was altered because of the Leonard TKO and Hagler KO. What if Leonard would have kept boxing and been stopped or defeated in a couple of megafights? Leonard is lucky that he was soooo popular and soooo generally well liked. What other fighter could basically not fight between the ages of 25-30 and still be considered top 10 of all-time. Skill wise, he was amazing. Yet, he never truly proved that he was better than Duran (1-1 in their primes), Hearns (questions as to what would have happened if the ref hadn't stopped the fight persist), or Hagler (whom he didn't want no part of).

I find it ironic that people love Leonard, but hate Mayweather when I believe they had a lot in common in regards to how they approach their legacy and how calculative they are. One just choose to be the ultimate "good guy/showman" while the other opted towards villifying himself. Personally, I love them both as fighters. I'm just playing devil's advocate and offering another perspective of Sugar Ray Leonard.
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Fair opinion good points

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WHAT IF.......Leonard had not retired from ages 25-30??

msrkmsr Kobra Full Member

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WHAT IF.......Leonard had not retired from ages 25-30??

msrkmsr Kobra Full Member