What if? Floyd Mayweather vs 1981 Ray Leonard

Ray was 5-10 ,with great speed ,footwork ,and had very good power at 147. A lot of ppl remember him for running around the ring against Hagler ,but keep in mind he was 13 pounds out of his natural weight class ,coming off a 4 year layoff ,plus Hagler was just the naturally bigger man. Nobody was going to hurt Hagler . Ray would have the height ,and strength advantage over Floyd. I think the advantage for Floyd is i think he is a better counterpuncher then Leonard. He can counterpunch immedietely off his defense better . Ray puts his punches together much better without just pot shotting. In your opinion who wins this fight?

Floyd would have to fight in this matchup. Leonard was as gifted a boxer as Floyd is, but Leonard could also be a killer.

I give a big edge to Leonard in this match with a high likelyhood of a Leonard KO of Floyd.

Floyd might be to gifted of a defensive fighter to get knocked out ,but if there is a fighter that could KO him ,it would be Leonard.

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Originally Posted by RayLeonard82

Floyd might be to gifted of a defensive fighter to get knocked out ,but if there is a fighter that could KO him ,it would be Leonard.

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I cant argue with you on that. But I think Floyds pride would be put on the line, cuz with Rays speed and size advantage Floyd would get hit. It would be interesting to see how he would respond when faced with a fighter of equal skills.

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Originally Posted by RayLeonard82

Floyd might be to gifted of a defensive fighter to get knocked out ,but if there is a fighter that could KO him ,it would be Leonard.

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Id pick Hearns to KO him more definetly.... I do think Leonard would win, just more likely to be a close decision imo.

I agree about Hearns ,that is a very bad matchup for Floyd. If Tommy doesnt respect your punching power ,he will be looking to KO you early.

I really think Ray Leonard would stop Floyd around the 8th. Better offensive fighter and was bigger naturally. This would really tell in this fight IMO.

I think Mayweather would be too skilled for Leonard... Hearns outboxed Leonard, and he wasn't as fast as Mayweather or as smart in the ring. I think Mayweather's defense is the biggest factor in this fight.

Hearns is a different matchup for Leonard because he was 6-1 with long arms ,snapping jab and a big right hand. Part of him building up that early lead was Ray was trying to stay away from that big right hand of Tommy's. With Floyd ,i think Leonard would be aggressive from the start like he was against Benitez ,and Andy Price. He wouldn't have much respect for Floyd's power.

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Originally Posted by Taeth

I think Mayweather would be too skilled for Leonard... Hearns outboxed Leonard, and he wasn't as fast as Mayweather or as smart in the ring. I think Mayweather's defense is the biggest factor in this fight.

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it was hearns height that gave leonard trouble he couldnt really get on inside mayweathers height would be no problem because he is 5 foot 8 and leonard is taller than floyd i pick ud for leonard and plus hearns hit alot harder than mayweather and leonard wouldnt have to worry about mayweathers power

I honestly can't think of a more skilled fighter than Mayweather, not saying Ray Leonard wasn't as skilled, but certainly disagree with the opinions stating Floyd would be stopped by Ray. I don't see why people still haven't realized that Floyd is as tough as they come. Much like Ali who was known for his finesse, he was underappreciated as being a tough S.O.B., and Floyd is the same way. He's not just some feather fisted priss who's afraid to get hit, or even moreso, who can't take a hit. He's simply too good to be hit most of the time, and when he is, he's rarely hurt, and certainly never close to being stopped. Floyd definately isn't nearly as powerful as Hearns but he's tougher and a better boxer(and most importantly, supremely conditioned and NEVER fades toward the end of a fight), and I feel that would be more than enough for him to outpoint Leonard.

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Originally Posted by clean

I honestly can't think of a more skilled fighter than Mayweather, not saying Ray Leonard wasn't as skilled, but certainly disagree with the opinions stating Floyd would be stopped by Ray.  I don't see why people still haven't realized that Floyd is as tough as they come.  Much like Ali who was known for his finesse, he was underappreciated as being a tough S.O.B., and Floyd is the same way.  He's not just some feather fisted priss who's afraid to get hit, or even moreso, who can't take a hit.  He's simply too good to be hit most of the time, and when he is, he's rarely hurt, and certainly never close to being stopped.  Floyd definately isn't nearly as powerful as Hearns but he's tougher and a better boxer(and most importantly, supremely conditioned and NEVER fades toward the end of a fight), and I feel that would be more than enough for him to outpoint Leonard. 

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i dont know about that statement about mayweather being better boxer than hearns to be honest hearns is one of the most skilled boxers ive ever seen if he had granite chin he would be almost unbeatable ray leonard has great conditioning aswell leonard can do everything mayweather can do but he can do bit more like brawling and he hits harder than mayweather and i feel leonard is shade quicker than mayweather and he would outpoint mayweather

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

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Originally Posted by clean

I honestly can't think of a more skilled fighter than Mayweather, not saying Ray Leonard wasn't as skilled, but certainly disagree with the opinions stating Floyd would be stopped by Ray. I don't see why people still haven't realized that Floyd is as tough as they come. Much like Ali who was known for his finesse, he was underappreciated as being a tough S.O.B., and Floyd is the same way. He's not just some feather fisted priss who's afraid to get hit, or even moreso, who can't take a hit. He's simply too good to be hit most of the time, and when he is, he's rarely hurt, and certainly never close to being stopped. Floyd definately isn't nearly as powerful as Hearns but he's tougher and a better boxer(and most importantly, supremely conditioned and NEVER fades toward the end of a fight), and I feel that would be more than enough for him to outpoint Leonard.

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i dont know about that statement about mayweather being better boxer than hearns to be honest hearns is one of the most skilled boxers ive ever seen if he had granite chin he would be almost unbeatable ray leonard has great conditioning aswell leonard can do everything mayweather can do but he can do bit more like brawling and he hits harder than mayweather and i feel leonard is shade quicker than mayweather and he would outpoint mayweather

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I do know. Mayweather was a better boxer than Hearns. It's fairly clear. Thommy had about 10X as much power at welterweight, and obviously every physical advantage there is except speed.. But in terms of skills, there is no way Hearns was as good a boxer as Mayweather.. He had great boxing ability no doubt.. But hypothetically, imagine if Floyd's right hand was as powerful as Thommy Hearns.. He would have 37 first round KO's. Seriously.

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Originally Posted by clean

I honestly can't think of a more skilled fighter than Mayweather, not saying Ray Leonard wasn't as skilled, but certainly disagree with the opinions stating Floyd would be stopped by Ray. I don't see why people still haven't realized that Floyd is as tough as they come. Much like Ali who was known for his finesse, he was underappreciated as being a tough S.O.B., and Floyd is the same way. He's not just some feather fisted priss who's afraid to get hit, or even moreso, who can't take a hit. He's simply too good to be hit most of the time, and when he is, he's rarely hurt, and certainly never close to being stopped. Floyd definately isn't nearly as powerful as Hearns but he's tougher and a better boxer(and most importantly, supremely conditioned and NEVER fades toward the end of a fight), and I feel that would be more than enough for him to outpoint Leonard.

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cc, couldnt have said it better myself

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Originally Posted by clean

I honestly can't think of a more skilled fighter than Mayweather, not saying Ray Leonard wasn't as skilled, but certainly disagree with the opinions stating Floyd would be stopped by Ray. I don't see why people still haven't realized that Floyd is as tough as they come. Much like Ali who was known for his finesse, he was underappreciated as being a tough S.O.B., and Floyd is the same way. He's not just some feather fisted priss who's afraid to get hit, or even moreso, who can't take a hit. He's simply too good to be hit most of the time, and when he is, he's rarely hurt, and certainly never close to being stopped. Floyd definately isn't nearly as powerful as Hearns but he's tougher and a better boxer(and most importantly, supremely conditioned and NEVER fades toward the end of a fight), and I feel that would be more than enough for him to outpoint Leonard.

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To say Floyd is underappreciated like Ali in terms of toughness is way off. Ali took the best fighters like Frazier, Foreman, and Shavers could offer. Ali's toughness is well acknowledged. Floyd hasnt come close to establishing the toughness of Ali.

No doubt, Floyd is the best technical boxer out there today. No one even touches him in that respect. But at 147, he is outgunned by both Leonard and Hearns. I'd be interested to hear how Floyd gets inside of Hearns looooooong punishing jab, or how he outboxes Leonard.

Floyd would be forced to fight in these contests. No clinic would be put on with these guys. Floyd hasnt even come close to sniffing the level of competition Leonard and Hearns bring into the ring.

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.