Quote Originally Posted by greynotsoold
I was thinking that Oscar would have an edge in hand speed- certainly in footspeed- while Leonard would be the harder puncher and be the superior in terms of defensive skills. Two "mental" issues weigh in on my pick. First , Oscar does not react well at all when hit hard by an opponent that he percieves as a real threat. I base this on how giddy he was over his blck eye after the Gonzalez fight (Oscar's best), those weird lulls in the Quartey fight , how after the Trinidad fight he gave me so distinct an impression of a man who had just been very very afraid and how he kept saying that their fight plan was that he not get hurt, how he seemed to be unraveling against Vargas, who blew it by looking for one punch instead of putting hands on Oscar, and his loss to Hopkins. Second, Leonard, as much as I disliked him (and Olympians in general) always found a way to win. Leonard by wide decision, maybe stoppage inthe 9-12th range. Oh with one caveat. Had DeLaHoya continued on with Rivero training him, he would beat Leonard by clear decision and he would be undefeated today. That man was creating a work of art and Clancy and especially Emmanuel Stewart should be expelled from the HoF for what they did to destroy Oscar's career and potential. Neither of thos two has a shred of credibility with me since then.

I dont know about that. Steward is a great trainer. Possibly Oscar just didnt click well with him? Maybe Steward got Oscar later in his career and trying to change him didnt work like if he had started with him early on...either way, either (or any) trainer, Oscar Delahoya does not beat Sugar Ray Leonard. No way. Trainers are important but at the end of the day, they aint fightin anyone...you are.