What if? Floyd Mayweather vs 1981 Ray Leonard

Here's the thing with me on this question...& I haven't read through anyone else's responses...so unbiasedly...let me say this...I'm a huge fan of Floyd...& truly I am no fan of Leonard...but I think that he's to fast, too strong, & too skilled...but...& you know me being a Floyd fan...I'm gonna bring out up a BUT ( ;D )...there is the issue of whether or not Floyd's style would cause Leonard problems...Leonard never faced anyone with the defensive skills of Mayweather, IWO.

Floyd is slick & crafty...but in the end...maybe Leonard could work it out...but then again...Floyd has always had an answer for everything that anyone has ever had.

Still...I gotta go with Leonard on this one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by right_cross

This is just my opinion, but Floyd would have to fight in these contests and hes outgunned by both fighters. He wont out speed Leonard, and Hearns power would be his death march.

---

Ah I love the nostalgia, 15 years from now you will all be saying how Floyd is a legend and could of beat the current fighter at the top...Human nature thats all

Again...You cant formulate an opinion on Floyds Quote on Quote unwillingness to fight because of the Baldomir contest....

I mean Floyd Landed over 50% of his punches while his opponent landed less than 13%....Floyd damaged his right hand 1/2 way thru the fight and still pitched a shutout...Myswell say he beat him with one hand tied behind his back... ;D

Floyd could outbox Leonard and Leonard can Outbox Floyd all depends on who executes and adjusts to the other one.....Floyd is definatly Smarter and faster and not as open as Tommy Hearns Floyd can counter Tommy and throw him off his game very easily not to mention Floyd could TKO Tommy as well its not a one way street on that..Defense is the big key and a Muther of an equalizer for Floyd

You Forget Diego trying to stalk Floyd while Floyd is popping Chico and making him wonder what the hell is going on...Tommy is on a whole nother level than Diego but its not Floyds 1st rodeo with a bigger man..

What I have noticed about Mayweather is his punch technique isnt very good compared to the formentioned but I suppose today it hasnt got to be

Sugar Ray fairly comfoftably.

He had all Floyd's attributes, but he was bigger, stronger & he could be devastating when he needed to be.

SRL W12 PBF.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scrap

What I have noticed about Mayweather is his punch technique isnt very good compared to the formentioned but I suppose today it hasnt got to be

---

Gotta disagree with you. Floyd's technique is pretty damned sweet...Floyd just wastes very little punches. Watch Floyd work...really sit down & watch a fight...he does a lot more mind work than any other fighter IWO.

Thinks out his shots before he throws them & works out a gameplan on the way up through the rounds.

IWO, Floyd is a damned fine fighter.

Did I miss something here? Exactly when did Sugar Ray Leonard become the second coming of Gerald McClellan? I have no problem with people saying Ray would win, because that's very much possible, but saying Ray is too strong and would stop Floyd is laughable. Ray Leonard never stopped anyone worth a damn before the 14th round(and no, Duran quit, he didn't get stopped), so people saying he'd KO or TKO Floyd is dumb, just as dumb as a Mayweather fan saying Floyd would stop Leonard. I can't see how anyone can predict knockouts over fighters who have never been close to being knocked out, and further more, against fighters who don't have extremely high knockout ratios to begin with. You people are acting as if Mayweather has gone through all his welterweight fights without being hit one time, it's absurd. He's already taken plenty of shots at 147 and strided on. I admit, I don't know who'd come out on top of this one but one thing I do know for sure, there would be no knockout.

i see it ud for leonard and plus leonard has stopped some good fighters

donnie la londe
wilfredo benitez
thomas hearns
ayub kalule who was 36-0 at the time

there some pretty sweet fighters who he has stopped if u ask me

What did I say? Anyone worth a damn before the 14th. Let's not try to put Donnie and Ayub in the same category with Pretty Boy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smashcrusher

What did I say?  Anyone worth a damn before the 14th.  Let's not try to put Donnie and Ayub in the same category with Pretty Boy. 

---

im not putting them in same category but they were decent fighters leonard had more power than mayweather and there speed is pretty equal although i think ray leonard may be shade quicker i still see ud for leonard it would be chess match

Wacko you said it for me, you can see him thinking about it, unfortunatly theres nothing about who can capitalize on it . theres no quality in debt, not his fault. I sound terrible here and remember being told the same thing in the 60s and thinking silly cunt. Ive just got of the phone to a very respected coach and freind and hes just said the same thing. To compete at the highest level he does but the levels have dropped, sad but the truth.Ive become one of those silly cunts

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

i see it ud for leonard and plus leonard has stopped some good fighters

donnie la londe
wilfredo benitez
thomas hearns
ayub kalule who was 36-0 at the time

there some pretty sweet fighters who he has stopped if u ask me

---

He isint Knocking out Floyd plain and simple...... Look!! All those Ko's were against guys that had inferior defenses that pale in comparison to Floyd...Not to mention those are Late round TKO's that were caused by accumalative punches not a proverbial 1 punch KO's...

Floyd is a wizard in the ring and fights probably the smartest that we have seen...Leonard is not luring Floyd into anything, Floyd adapts EXTREMELY WELL probably better than anyone.....This is a tough fight because if these guys both fought it would be new territory....Each of them have never faced anyone quite like themselves....IT'S a damn good matchup

I also like how everyone gets on Floyds azz and calls him a runner and garbage but Willie Pep who is rightfully regarded as one of the best PFP EVER said

"MY FIGHT STYLE WAS......HE WHO HITS AND RUNS AWAY LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY....SO THATS WHAT I DID FOR 29 YEARS....I GOT AWAY WITH IT...."

Willie epitomised what the definition of boxing was all about... ;D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JT Rock

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

i see it ud for leonard and plus leonard has stopped some good fighters

donnie la londe
wilfredo benitez
thomas hearns
ayub kalule who was 36-0 at the time

there some pretty sweet fighters who he has stopped if u ask me

---

He isint Knocking out Floyd plain and simple...... Look!! All those Ko's were against guys that had inferior defenses that pale in comparison to Floyd...Not to mention those are Late round TKO's that were caused by accumalative punches not a proverbial 1 punch KO's...

Floyd is a wizard in the ring and fights probably the smartest that we have seen...Leonard is not luring Floyd into anything, Floyd adapts EXTREMELY WELL probably better than anyone.....This is a tough fight because if these guys both fought it would be new territory....Each of them have never faced anyone quite like themselves....IT'S a damn good matchup

I also like how everyone gets on Floyds azz and calls him a runner and garbage but Willie Pep who is rightfully regarded as one of the best PFP EVER said

"MY FIGHT STYLE WAS......HE WHO HITS AND RUNS AWAY LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY....SO THATS WHAT I DID FOR 29 YEARS....I GOT AWAY WITH IT...."

Willie epitomised what the definition of boxing was all about... ;D

---

i never said he would ko floyd i see 12 round decision for ray leonard and yea if u can go through ur career without getting hit alot well good luck to u i say thats called the smart one  8)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smashcrusher

What did I say? Anyone worth a damn before the 14th. Let's not try to put Donnie and Ayub in the same category with Pretty Boy.

---

im not putting them in same category but they were decent fighters leonard had more power than mayweather and there speed is pretty equal although i think ray leonard may be shade quicker i still see ud for leonard it would be chess match

---

Nobody, not even Leonard in that time was as quick as PBF PERIOD. As quick boxer myself I can honestly say he is faster than anybody else out there, and in terms of one punch probably the fastest guy to ever box(Zab Judah would follow closely but is also bred for fighting and has much shorter arms). Mayweather doesn't always look fast because he doesn't waste his time shoe shinning opponents, but he throws his punches with his full strength behind them, and they are still a blur. Or he will throw a straight right without his body behind it, and still it will be incredibly fast. The slight edge in speed he would have on Leonard IMO makes this fight because both relied on speed more than anything else.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Taeth

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smashcrusher

What did I say? Anyone worth a damn before the 14th. Let's not try to put Donnie and Ayub in the same category with Pretty Boy.

---

im not putting them in same category but they were decent fighters leonard had more power than mayweather and there speed is pretty equal although i think ray leonard may be shade quicker i still see ud for leonard it would be chess match

---

Nobody, not even Leonard in that time was as quick as PBF PERIOD. As quick boxer myself I can honestly say he is faster than anybody else out there, and in terms of one punch probably the fastest guy to ever box(Zab Judah would follow closely but is also bred for fighting and has much shorter arms). Mayweather doesn't always look fast because he doesn't waste his time shoe shinning opponents, but he throws his punches with his full strength behind them, and they are still a blur. Or he will throw a straight right without his body behind it, and still it will be incredibly fast. The slight edge in speed he would have on Leonard IMO makes this fight because both relied on speed more than anything else.

---

i disagree i think leonard was tad faster in my opinion but its close not much in it

No way in handspeed... absolutely no way. Leonard was about the same speed as Hearns in hand speed or Roy JOnes Jr., but not Mayweather. Also in foot speed you see Leonard plant his feet, and the not be on his toes the same way Mayweather is, and he is nowhere near to as quick at movement foreward or backwards. Mayweather gets in alot quicker, and he moves in with his whole body when he punches. His reflexes are definitely better, and he has alot quicker upper body movement. There is no comparison in the two. If you watch the jab Mayweather can get it out as fast as Leonard's when Leonard is firing it straight out, and Mayweather is bringing it from his knee level. Also the little things like Leonard telegraphs his punches, and Mayweather doesn't at all.

Mayweather by SD.

If you look at the Hearns fights, Tommy was significantly faster with single shots than leonard. He outsped him with his jab and right hand. Leonard was quick, but his footspeed and the fact that he threw so many punches in combination are what sticks in my mind about him.

People also seem to forget that boxing had a marketing machine in the 80s and Sugar Ray was the Delahoya equivalent (good looking, articulate, well-behaved). He was a great fighter, but there seems to be a tendency to just accept the hype about him without asking the same questions that modern fighters get asked. Haggler's admittedly a lot more fearsome that Baldomir but Leonard ran and stole rounds by slapping Haggler's guard in the last 30 seconds(masterful, smart boxing etc.) Mayweather employs similar tactics against Baldomir (boring, cowardly etc.)

A lot of the boxing press have a set against Mayweather. He might well be the obnoxious little turd that they make him out to be. At the end of the day, many of those guys are just subsidized fans that also have inflated ideas of their own importance with much less reason for it.

leonard would mop the floor with floyd. leonard had everything. floyd seems to have everything, but he doesn't have heart. leonard would break him down and crush him mid-late fight.

I usually hate these mythical matchups and don't bother with most any of them because debating is pointless since we will never know but this one I actually like. Leonard is one of the most versatile and resiliant fighters in boxing history so I don't think Mayweather would be able to overwhelm him with anything. I think it could be one of those fights where both fighters give each other different looks throughout the fight. As much as people dislike both of them, they were flat out good. The paralels are amazing. I mean, both are two of the best cerebral fighters of their generation. Both have pinpoint accuracy with a fair amount of pop. Both have footwork second to none, moving inside to outside and side to side. Look at the first five or so rounds of the Leonard - Hearns fight, the side to side movement had Hearns completely off his game. Both are perfect fundamentally, and both have athletic ability to go on top of it. The parallels really are mindblowing and thats as much of a testement to Leonard then anything, the guy was 25 years ahead of his time and maybe more.

So really I think picking a winner would be splitting hairs if you don't beleive in the boxing evolutionary theory then it's a toss up. I mean I think when you break it down to the basics, they're even.

I would be inclined to give Mayweather the advantage because of how just technically perfect he is. I mean, antics aside, the guy is this generations all time great fighter.

However, Leonard is one of the more resiliant fighters of all time. I mean he had the odds stacked against him behind on the cards versus some all time great fighters and always found ways to win. It's hard to argue against a fighter who ALWAYS wins, whether the decision is disputed or not. So that's something to bear in mind. There is no way Leonard would be in any way overwhelmed thats for certain.

Leonard and this is the crux of the matter, had better oral perception and balance

This thread is like one of those old Lite beer commercials. TASTES GREAT!......LESS FILLING! :laugh:

I still say Floyd falls. Leonard is being underrated technically by some. In this fight, both fighters will have to open up offensively if they want to sway the judges. I give Leonard a big advantage in this scenario. A much better combination puncher than Floyd, and no way Floyd has a, hands down, hand speed advantage over Ray.

I'd lean toward Mayweather by UD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pete shonan

leonard would mop the floor with floyd. leonard had everything. floyd seems to have everything, but he doesn't have heart. leonard would break him down and crush him mid-late fight.

---

Your making yourself sound like a complete jack-a** with this statement....Floyd has no heart???? Do you even know what the hell you were talking about???

Curious to see how your going support that feeble argument.....Really man I dont like to get up on peoples cases but this is so outlandish......Really how the Hell would you know that??

A guy that's preperation is 2nd to none and is arguably the most disicplined and focused in the game right now...You say he has no heart.... ::**

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smashcrusher

What did I say? Anyone worth a damn before the 14th. Let's not try to put Donnie and Ayub in the same category with Pretty Boy.

---

I don't think he is putting LaLonde in the same catagory as Mayweather...But with you getting over your soap box preaching and dismissing everyone elses statements but yours why don't you read the point!!!!

He said good fighters...LaLonde was pretty good...and just in case you forgot...IT WAS AT LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT!!!!!!!!
Floyd lacks KO power at 147 let alone 4 divisions above....
and if you say Floyd can KO a top light heavy then you lose all credibility on any post from here on out.....even PBF most die hard fans would not make that statement

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DaxxKahn

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smashcrusher

What did I say?  Anyone worth a damn before the 14th.  Let's not try to put Donnie and Ayub in the same category with Pretty Boy. 

---

  I don't think he is putting LaLonde in the same catagory as Mayweather...But with you getting over your soap box preaching and dismissing everyone elses statements but yours why don't you read the point!!!!

He said good fighters...LaLonde was pretty good...and just in case you forgot...IT WAS AT LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT!!!!!!!!
         Floyd lacks KO power at 147 let alone 4 divisions above....
and if you say Floyd can KO a top light heavy then you lose all credibility on any post from here on out.....even PBF most die hard fans would not make that statement

---

exactly mate that what i was saying that lalonde and others i mentioned were good quality fights i wernt saying they were in same category as mayweather thanks for understanding cc  8)

Ray would bitch slap Floyd!

#1 Ray could stand and trade with ANYONE

#2 You can't run from Ray Leonard!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

Ray would bitch slap Floyd!

#1 Ray could stand and trade with ANYONE

#2 You can't run from Ray Leonard!

---

Lyle...wer'e trying to talk serious boxing here...not "What I did with my cousins last night in the trailer park." Keep your beer stories to yourself. ;) ;D

"Yins can run from Lyle thuh Crackcuhdile...but chee caint hiduh!"

Rock youre talking about a fighter from a speical period when Boxing had more fans and BoxersOf which I am pretty sure you have no first hand knowledge being a 6 year old at the time

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by right_cross

This thread is like one of those old Lite beer commercials. TASTES GREAT!......LESS FILLING! :laugh:

I still say Floyd falls. Leonard is being underrated technically by some. In this fight, both fighters will have to open up offensively if they want to sway the judges. I give Leonard a big advantage in this scenario. A much better combination puncher than Floyd, and no way Floyd has a, hands down, hand speed advantage over Ray.

---

I have that VLC video watching and watch either guy at 1/8th regular speed and see how long it takes for a punch to actually get out there.

And

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DaxxKahn

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smashcrusher

What did I say? Anyone worth a damn before the 14th. Let's not try to put Donnie and Ayub in the same category with Pretty Boy.

---

I don't think he is putting LaLonde in the same catagory as Mayweather...But with you getting over your soap box preaching and dismissing everyone elses statements but yours why don't you read the point!!!!

He said good fighters...LaLonde was pretty good...and just in case you forgot...IT WAS AT LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT!!!!!!!!
Floyd lacks KO power at 147 let alone 4 divisions above....
and if you say Floyd can KO a top light heavy then you lose all credibility on any post from here on out.....even PBF most die hard fans would not make that statement

---

Point out where I said Floyd had more power than Ray and then come talk to me. Until then, shut the f@#k up! Thank you and goodbye ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyle

Ray would bitch slap Floyd!

#1 Ray could stand and trade with ANYONE

#2 You can't run from Ray Leonard!

---

If by bitch slap you mean get embarrassed by, I agree, Ray would bitch slap Floyd.

Well Ray only beat Hearns, Duran, and Hagler amongst others....I guess Floyd could have pulled that off as well couldn't he :beat:


In 1981 when Ray beat Hearns I highly doubt that anyone Sugar Ray Robinson aside could have beat him.



Floyd hasn't been tested by a great, he hasn't been in the ring with a great, and his career is damn near over...that is just SAD

Mayweather could have beaten Hearns at 147, and so could have a younger Winky WRight if he fought with his current style. I think Oscar Dela Hoya would have been able to take Hearns' right, and was good enough to take out Hearns. Castill, Corrales, are both greats. The only reason why Duran and Hearns and Leonard and Hagler are considered such greats is they fought eachother... IF they were in individual eras. They would have been considered good, but not great... Hell Hagler wasn't even considered great until he ko'ed Hearns. People thought that his close fight with Duran proved that he wasn't an ATG, and thats why Hearns was going to beat him.

Lyle its that simple cc

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smashcrusher

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DaxxKahn

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smashcrusher

What did I say? Anyone worth a damn before the 14th. Let's not try to put Donnie and Ayub in the same category with Pretty Boy.

---

I don't think he is putting LaLonde in the same catagory as Mayweather...But with you getting over your soap box preaching and dismissing everyone elses statements but yours why don't you read the point!!!!

He said good fighters...LaLonde was pretty good...and just in case you forgot...IT WAS AT LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT!!!!!!!!
Floyd lacks KO power at 147 let alone 4 divisions above....
and if you say Floyd can KO a top light heavy then you lose all credibility on any post from here on out.....even PBF most die hard fans would not make that statement

---

Point out where I said Floyd had more power than Ray and then come talk to me. Until then, shut the f@#k up! Thank you and goodbye ;)

---

I don't think I ever said you did say that did I? But no again ou do not read correctly and understand what people are saying. The power was just a point. A point that witout any real speed advantage and no power advantage Floyd is the underdog...CAN YOU UNDERSTAND NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN YOU READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I don't know who you are telling to shut the F%$# up you little piss ant....Maybe if you weren't so illiterate things would not have to be broken down to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I S*&% out more boxing knowledge in the morning than you do now or could ever hope to have so come back when you grow up and can act like a big boy. Till then head on to a pro wrestling site it doesn't matter what you say in those forums its all bullshit anyway

My apologies to everyone else on the forum about my behavior :(.....

This guy just made me mad talking to me like some low life and then tries to dismiss me like he is someone with any type of authority...

I think Floyd uncle if asked about Hearns at welter would tell Him Son dont go there

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scrap

Lyle its that simple cc

---

Thanks bud, cc back

Floyd is going to go down in history just like Mike Tyson (providing he retires before fighters start figuring him out)...Overrated

Being REAL about boxers is tough to do but if you're going to make the assessment you have to.

Floyd is very fast and talented with his defense but Ray Leonard was just as fast and had power as well....and not to mention he beat ALL-TIME GREATS!!!!

Any way thats my lot been interesting