Definitely among the all-time greats. Tremendous natural talent, especially his hand and foot speed and boxing ability. Despite being able to out-box most opponents, he often went in for kill. Didn't hurt that he had excellent power and a tremendous chin.

But its that heart that distinguishes him from many other extremely talented fighters (like say, roy jones). He went toe to toe with duran when he didn't have to. his KO of hearns was one of the most dramatic comebacks in boxing history. He almost repeated that in Hearns II. Often great atletes are defined by great moments, and Leonard had more than most: like making duran quit, or coming off the ropes in rd 9 vs. hagler. What heart, what drama.

But the real characteristic that puts him among the all-time was his ability to win while his skills declined. The hagler fight was one of the best thought out strategies in boxing history (probably ali-foremen being the greatest). The greatest athletes in history (ali, Jordan) were able to win with brains and change their style as their skills eroded, something tyson, for example, could not do.