What Was SRL Capable Of At Middle?

At his best, he’d have a shot with any of them. He was a winner and had it all.

 

He and Hearns both sort of moved up and down too much at this time. Had they stayed at the weight for longer they might have developed some better skills there around the weight and shown us their real fighting ability at the weight..As it is they did not developed there and defend the title like they should have. At that time they were doing exactly what Canelo is doing now. Collecting as many belts in as many weights as they can..

 

Not much.

 

Leonard carried the weight well. His frame looked like he could carry 160-165 easily and successfully.
He also had good punching power, ( Though he didn't hurt Hagler, but who could?) He also retained his speed though he was past his prime yrs when he did decide to face Hagler at Middleweight.
I wish he didn't waste 5yrs moping around because of that eye injury . ( Though it may have taken that long to properly heal, one never knows)
Because I believe he would've beaten Hagler prime vs prime. He had the style to do it, and the toughness. Even Duran himself told Leonard he would beat Hagler after he fought him.

 

I dont think he would have gone far which is why he had no problem relinquishing his WBC title that was stolen from Hagler

Although he escaped a close one from Hagler himself, Leonard would have had real problem defending it, especially against people like Nunn or even Frank Tate, if the Norris fight is any indication.

He would last longer if his opposition is cut from lesser stock so I think he would do better against lesser, fringe contenders, maybe a Curtis Parker, whatever was left of Hamsho, Mark Holmes or John Collins.

Michael Olajide Jr. is also a viable opponent for him, as is Iran Barkley and Darrin Van Horn

But never the cream of the crop

 

If Leonard had been brought up as a 160lber he'd have still been great.

He was the best fighter of the 4 greater then McCallum and all the rest of them too.

Is his success what bothers people? he did everything we could have reasonably asked of him.

 

If by success you mean, 0 defenses, leaving the division, this is what bothers people. Or hadn't you noticed?

rather not bring it up, then pretending something has been accomplished, this would suit his fans rather than actually proving it

"he did EVERYTHING we could have reasonably asked of him". What a foolish and delusional statement

 

What more could you have reasonably asked of him?

 

SRL is an alltime great however he was strategical with his retirements and time out while his competitors slowed down or took losses. It's difficult to say whether he could reign over a period of time because we have no evidence of this in reality. The other three have a lot more fights over the same period. SRL is the first boxer who played this game that would be expanded by the likes of Floyd and Canelo in decades to come.

 

How about a few defenses against some top contenders?

Too much?

 

You mean at middleweight right? Why would he, he was done and there for a few pay checks he beat the best guys of his era he beat Hagler? who just beat Hearns and John.

Leonard came back after a three year break went up stairs and took the 160lbs crown and before this he beat a prime Heaens and Benitez he also humiliated the only guy to beat him in his prime in a rematch.

Again reasonably what could we ask of him he was injured and at risk of losing his eyesight there were guys he could’ve in theory fought no doubt though I’m not denying that I just think he did more then enough in his career for us.