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As participants in perhaps the greatest welterweight fight of the last 30 years, “Sugar” Ray Leonard and Thomas “Hitman” Hearns gave their opinions to the media concerning tonight’s “Sugar” Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. welterweight clash.
Sugar Ray Leonard, Seven-Time World Champion
On Mayweather vs. Mosley:
“I see this fight as rather intriguing. I know a lot of people are leaning toward Floyd Mayweather Jr. Most of the time fights don’t live up to expectations. But fights like this, with Mosley and Mayweather, are highly anticipated.
“I truly believe that this fight here, these two guys will indeed live up to expectations, because whether they say it or not, it is about bragging rights. Yeah it’s about the money. Everyone wants the money, but for the guy who wins, it’s bragging rights.
“I have yet to see him [Mayweather] hurt, knocked down or whatever. On the other hand I see Sugar Shane Mosley as a guy who could penetrate his impeccable defense. I had a premonition the other night and I saw a knockout by someone. I am not a guru, I am not a psychic, but I did see a knockout.”
On Leonard vs. Hearns:
“I remember that time so vividly in my mind. It was a fight for the undisputed welterweight crown. I trained very very hard. This fight was very special because Tommy’s dominance in the division was just amazing in the way he just annihilated people.
“He didn’t just knock guys out. He flattened guys. I guess I wasn’t concerned about his punching. But at one point I recall, he hit me with a good shot, with a right hand, and I realized I could take a shot. That’s why I became more aggressive.
“It was a fight of survival. Tommy brought the best out of me and I brought the best out of him. It was one of the fights that took me to the limit. It required every ounce of me physical, mentally, psychologically, and spiritually. It took all of those factors to beat Tommy Hearns.
“This happened to be a decade, an era, where guys like Ali, Frazier, Hearns, and myself surfaced. It was just meant to be.”
Thoughts on the fantasy match-up of Hearns vs. Mayweather:
“Tommy is a freak of nature for a welterweight. He’s big, strong, powerful, has a big heart, and I don’t think anyone could beat Tommy Hearns…except me.I don’t see Mayweather-Mosley matching our fight. It’s a fight that’s been talked about for decades. I think it will be a great one though.”
On Mayweather calling himself the best:
“For Mayweather to make that statement, fighters have to believe they are bigger and better than anyone.”
On the state of boxing and the history of the sport:
“There is no comparison at all. Back in the day, fights were highly anticipated. There were more personalities. There were more superstars in boxing. It bothers me that we don’t have an American heavyweight champion. To me it is a dark period right now.
“Boxing is a resilient sport. The amateur foundation has diminished significantly. Amateur boxers are going to be champions years later, and there needs to be more support and sponsorships for the amateur programs.
“Fear is an intricate part of my makeup but not fear in the way you define it. When I fought, it wasn’t fear per se, it was concern. You want fear because that’s what going to make you react to anticipated punches. There is a balancing act but fear is a thing you have to deal with.”
Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, Six-Time World Champion
On Mayweather vs. Mosley:
“Mayweather will try to dominate with slick punches. He may do well. Shane is going to try to test and see if Mayweather can take a shot. We have to see if he can. Shane has the ability to punch and Floyd will have to be smart and slick.
“This is going to be a very good fight. I think it is going to be a very competitive fight. It is going to be a chess match. I think Mayweather should do well with that style. I think Shane is going to try to test that and see how well he can get that shot in.
“I don’t see it being the same as me and Ray. We set the standard and it’s going to be tough to top what we did. I am proud to know Ray Leonard. Ray brought the best out of me and I think I brought the best out of him. It’s going to be a great fight this Saturday night, but don’t look for the same thing as happened in our fight. That was a different era.
“Shane has the ability to punch, and I think Mayweather is going to have to watch out for that.”
On Leonard vs. Hearns:
“As far as me and Ray Leonard, our fight was so huge that no one knew what the outcome would be. Ray said he has never danced before. I know he danced a few times when we fought.
“I believe in giving the fans what they paid to see. It wasn’t about holding back or saving something for tomorrow or the next time. This is a moment. This is what you have to give them right now. You have to give your best. Knowing his ability, I had to learn how to do things with my hands up and my hands down. I just kept making it that much easier for me.
“That was something that was meant to be. It wasn’t something that we planned. The public wanted to see the match ups. You had to take on the next upcoming opponent. We weren’t able to pick and choose who we wanted to fight. We didn’t duck anybody even though we wanted to. That is what made our era so important.”
Thoughts on the fantasy match-up of Leonard vs. Mayweather:
“I think that Floyd would have been too small for us. We were big welterweights. Floyd is a small guy. I am not saying because he is small he wouldn’t be able to do it, but it would have been very difficult. I think Ray knows more about that than I do.”
On Mayweather calling himself the best:
“The confidence thing is fine with me. It is good for him to have a great deal of confidence. There shouldn’t be anything Shane can do to bring him down.”
