ESPN 1st Take- Sugar Ray Leonard says he would beat Money Mayweather in their primes.

[ykdadamaja]

[Beanflicker]

Of course he's going to say that, he's an all time great and has supreme confidence of his ability in his prime.

Personally, I don't see it. Putting the "who fought the better competition" nonsense aside, stylistically I just don't see it happening. The only one of that era I would give a great chance of beating prime Mayweather is Tommy Hearns (thats excluding Hagler, because PBF never fought at MW).

[Master]

Bean you really are crazy to think that Leonard would not have beaten Mayweather. Sugar Ray was everything Floyd is but with power. He would not be denied.

[Gandalf]

There is something wrong if a top boxer doesn't think he will beat another top boxer. If you don't believe it then you are unlikely to be a top boxer in the first place.

[ykdadamaja]

It would be a 50-50 fight. Sugar Ray could take a punch and turn it up with speed and power... Floyd has never faced a guy with that type of skill, mindset and ability in his entire career.

Sugar Ray said in this interview that Floyd fights like his father, Floyd Sr.. Sugar Ray said he knocked out Floyd Sr.. LOL!!

[ykdadamaja]

The only fighter that could have possibly have been compared to the skill, power, speed and mindset that Floyd has faced in his career at their primes was Ricky Hatton. The best and biggest test Floyd had in his career. The only REAL fight, aside from Diego Corales, I would say Floyd fought the best in the world and beat the best in the world down.

Mosely was a shell of himself. Oscar was on the downside and lacked the speed in his prime. Judah was a fading light of what he once was, if he ever had that mix of intelligence and heart Sugar Ray had. Cotto has the power and determination, but lacked in a bit of skill and ring speed to catch Floyd cleanly and often.

The only other fighter out there in their prime that would have given Floyd, and still will give Floyd, a good test, would be Manny Pacqioua. We will never see that fight ever, apparently.

[SugarBoxing]

It would be a 50-50 fight. Sugar Ray could take a punch and turn it up with speed and power... Floyd has never faced a guy with that type of skill, mindset and ability in his entire career.

Sugar Ray said in this interview that Floyd fights like his father, Floyd Sr.. Sugar Ray said he knocked out Floyd Sr.. LOL!!

SRL would do all thing Oscar did but better. He should have won a SD or UD in 12 Round
15 Rounds would be a KO or TKO for SRL

[ykdadamaja]

It would be a 50-50 fight. Sugar Ray could take a punch and turn it up with speed and power... Floyd has never faced a guy with that type of skill, mindset and ability in his entire career.

Sugar Ray said in this interview that Floyd fights like his father, Floyd Sr.. Sugar Ray said he knocked out Floyd Sr.. LOL!!

SRL would do all thing Oscar did but better. He should have won a SD or UD in 12 Round
15 Rounds would be a KO or TKO for SRL

I could agree with this analysis. People don't seem to want to see that Floyd, at around round 10, turns it down to a snails pace. He almost, but all, shuts it down.

I guess you can say that he is so far ahead on points that he doesn't have to work hard after rounds ten, run around the ring and pot shot and hold. But he does shut it down at about round 10 and cruises to his UD's.

[TitoFan]

It would be a 50-50 fight. Sugar Ray could take a punch and turn it up with speed and power... Floyd has never faced a guy with that type of skill, mindset and ability in his entire career.

Sugar Ray said in this interview that Floyd fights like his father, Floyd Sr.. Sugar Ray said he knocked out Floyd Sr.. LOL!!

Yeah, I'd be hesitant to dismiss either fighter's chances in this one. Although admittedly I would lean toward SRL, maybe as much as 60-40. What's not to like about SRL? Master boxer.... had underrated power.... fought (and beat) a "Who's Who" in boxing.... adaptable style.... unparalleled ring generalship. It would be like two chess grandmasters going at each other.

[Beanflicker]

Bean you really are crazy to think that Leonard would not have beaten Mayweather. Sugar Ray was everything Floyd is but with power. He would not be denied.

You honestly think Leonard has the same kind of craft that Mayweather has? I don't even know how to respond to that.

[Dark Lord Al]

I think a prime SRL at WW , not sure Floyd is at his best at WW.
both great fighters , as for who wins , well who knows.

[Beanflicker]

Just look how much trouble Floyd SR gave Leonard with his defensive style. You all should go back and watch that fight. Watch the trouble Ray had finding a target. Watch how Floyd would duck under Leonard's feared lead right and tie him up on the inside. And while you're watching that, remember that Floyd Sr wasn't 1/10th the fighter that his son was. Sr never won a title. Floyd has won too many to count.

While you're watching, think about how much faster Jr is than Sr. Think about how much more ring generalship he has, how better his movement is, how better his punch selection is.

You watch that and come back and tell me exactly why you think SRL would outpoint Floyd Mayweather.

Do you guys expect him to do with he did to Hagler, Duran or Hearns? People say Floyd never fought anyone like Leonard... well who did Leonard fight who was like Floyd? Tommy was a great puncher with great boxing skills, but he didn't have a chin or the defensive capabilities.

[TitoFan]

SRL fought and beat Wilfredo Benitez, one of the greatest defensive wizards of all time, and an ATG in his own right.

[IamInuit]

It would look very similar to the Benitez fight.

[bigstinkybug]

*It's not enough to say "May is the best in the last 15 years"..he wants it all... truth is, he hasn't fought Paq, can he beat Paq? Let's forget SRL, how about prime Oscar de La Hoya? Prime Sweet Pea? Prime Hearns?... let's just say,he's the best today, that's enough.