Re: Just how good was Ray Leonard?
I've been ripped apart for this before but I'll say it again. I think that Ray Leonard is the closest boxing has ever come to seeing a second comer of Ray Robinson. I really beleive so. He was a great amatuer with blinding speed and great combinations. Unfortunately for Leonard, politcis got in the way. Why he only had 40 fights I'll never know. I know he wanted to protect himself but he could have been one of the all time greats. His win over Hearns is straight from a Hollywood movie. That fight gives me goosebumps like no other. But the fact that he fought so little, and seemed to have it in for him as far as getting BS decisions goes hurt him. He had all the tools in the ring, ALL of them. He was such an entertaining fighter, you watch his combos and they are virtually the same combos Ray Robinson was famous for. But Ray Robinson was a fighting champion who had the benefit of rivalries. Had he fought after 1982, and fought Duran, Hagler or Leonard more then he already did, and won a number of those fights. No question he is top 10 all time in terms of acheivements and in ring ability. But he only has 5 BIG wins (Hagler, Hearns, Duran twice and Benitez) and 2 he didn't deserve (Hagler and Hearns). If he had fought all the way through his prime he would undoubtedly be top 10 of all time imo, but since he didn't he isn't top 10 imo. He is still high up there because of what he could do in the ring, but he didn't do it enough.
Re: Just how good was Ray Leonard?
S R K O Well put, Id go along to a degree with that assesment.
Re: Just how good was Ray Leonard?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondRoundKO
I've been ripped apart for this before but I'll say it again. I think that Ray Leonard is the closest boxing has ever come to seeing a second comer of Ray Robinson. I really beleive so. He was a great amatuer with blinding speed and great combinations. Unfortunately for Leonard, politcis got in the way. Why he only had 40 fights I'll never no. I know he wanted to protect himself but he could have been one of the all time greats. His win over Hearns is straight from a Hollywood movie. That fight gives me goosebumps like no other. But the fact that he fought so little, and seemed to have it in for him as far as getting BS decisions goes hurt him. He had all the tools in the ring, ALL of them. He was such an entertaining fighter, you watch his combos and they are virtually the same combos Ray Robinson was famous for. But Ray Robinson was a fighting champion who had the benefit of rivalries. Had he fought after 1982, and fought Duran, Hagler or Leonard more then he already did, and won a number of those fights. No question he is top 10 all time in terms of acheivements and in ring ability. But he only has 5 BIG wins (Hagler, Hearns, Duran twice and Benitez) and 2 he didn't deserve (Hagler and Hearns). If he had fought all the way through his prime he would undoubtedly be top 10 of all time imo, but since he didn't he isn't top 10 imo. He is still high up there because of what he could do in the ring, but he didn't do it enough.
:coolclick: Good points all the way around...& I don't think that he beat Hagler either.
Re: Just how good was Ray Leonard?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondRoundKO
I've been ripped apart for this before but I'll say it again. I think that Ray Leonard is the closest boxing has ever come to seeing a second comer of Ray Robinson. I really beleive so. He was a great amatuer with blinding speed and great combinations. Unfortunately for Leonard, politcis got in the way. Why he only had 40 fights I'll never no. I know he wanted to protect himself but he could have been one of the all time greats. His win over Hearns is straight from a Hollywood movie. That fight gives me goosebumps like no other. But the fact that he fought so little, and seemed to have it in for him as far as getting BS decisions goes hurt him. He had all the tools in the ring, ALL of them. He was such an entertaining fighter, you watch his combos and they are virtually the same combos Ray Robinson was famous for. But Ray Robinson was a fighting champion who had the benefit of rivalries. Had he fought after 1982, and fought Duran, Hagler or Leonard more then he already did, and won a number of those fights. No question he is top 10 all time in terms of acheivements and in ring ability. But he only has 5 BIG wins (Hagler, Hearns, Duran twice and Benitez) and 2 he didn't deserve (Hagler and Hearns). If he had fought all the way through his prime he would undoubtedly be top 10 of all time imo, but since he didn't he isn't top 10 imo. He is still high up there because of what he could do in the ring, but he didn't do it enough.
Great analysis,valid points.Cool Click!
