Why did SRL come back to fight Norris ?

Yes, he thought it would be an easy fight. Norris was just an anonymous paper champ at the time. He was 26-3. He'd made one defense of his belt. He'd already been knocked out. Whereas Leonard had knocked out one of the light heavyweight champs. Norris was several divisions below that.

Leonard was a 3-1 favorite. Everyone thought it would be an easy night's work. Most of the talk was still about Leonard fighting Michael Nunn, which had been discussed for a couple years. Norris was seen more as a tuneup, like when Leonard stopped Kalule. Pick up another belt and get another KO before a big fight.

So little was thought of Norris it was Leonard's first non-PPV fight since Kevin Howard in 1984. If I recall correctly, it might have even been on a Showtime free weekend, meaning everyone got it even if you didn't subscribe.

Just didn't work out at all.

 

Spot on doublechin...kalule type scenario...another belt...a good win to line up another big fight....

In 1990 Ray had basically tried desperately through intermediaries to set up a rematch with Marvin Hagler

That failed Marvin had just had a hit film Indio in Italy and had moved on long sickened by Rays dirty mind games.

He really didnt want Nunn unless it was $$"s....in the end he procrastinated too long...and Norris became his Michael Nunn......Ray"s Vietnam...

I know in seeking out a opponent Ray considered briefly exciting WBO Middleweight champion Nigel Benn just after he beat Dewitt and Barkley....

By that point in Rays mind his options were dwindling.....

MW"s ....
Nunn : Not same money after Barkley/Starling fights.
Other champions Duran ,McCallum,Benn didnt appeal or were nonstarters (Duran)
Nothing whatsoever at Super Middle ..nothing at Light Middle...except a 26-3 Norris knocked face first the previous Summer.

Benn ended up losing.....Julian Jackson wasn"t considered at that time...Marlon Starling was the best welterweight in the world...but on paper had too many losses and wasnt a big enough name he couldnt sell...none of Benn/Jackson or Starling were big enough for Ray....

Mark Breland meeting Ray at 154 in summer 1990 (instead of Aaron Davis) Id have liked that though Ray would have knocked him silly ..Breland didnt have Norris"s speed or skills...and Ray would have got inside and brutally slayed him.

 

Leonard thought it would be easy and so did many others. I had been following Norris since his 4th pro fight, maybe 5th,and knew he was going to beat Leonard easy. Good skills, very fast, good punch, I was surprised he didn't stop Leonard.

 

Hearns managed his money badly I know that. He says so himself. Ray has done well with his money, and he was much more marketable than Tommy because of his personality and because he won in situations Tommy did not against Tommy himself, and Hagler. .

 

it was probably a smart move. Tommy losing to Ray because he was weak would be harder for him than losing to Barkley to be honest. Somehow Leonard was the toughest for many guys to lose to. Maybe it was the way he rubbed things in.

 

He probably thought he could reach Norris's chin. Otherwise it was nice of Terry to carry him like that.

 

A one too many Cherrypicker for SRL that severely went south very quickly.