When you match these two guys up you have to look at both their quality of oppositions and by that alone you'd have to go with Leonard. Hearns, Duran and Hagler (all in their PRIMES) all who would stop Floyd, Leonard beat SOUNDLY.
Budini wrote it best about it taking Leonard a few rounds to figure out the quickness and Roll but after that, Ray with the heavier hands beats Floyd down.
Totally different class of fighters. Leonard stop Floyd before the 14th.
Thanks Rocky
This question is hard to answer.
1. Mayweather isn't a real welterweight. Maybe now he is at this age, because he's reached his older maximum size and bone density. This is the biggest I've seen mayweather at 147. But Mayweather certainly wasn't a typical welterweight when he was even 30. So, it's hard to say. Leonard ended his career at light-heavyweight/supermiddleweight. Mayweather is 36 and he's still around 147-152.
2. Because of the size difference, it's hard to fairly compare the two.
3. Whoever anyone picks to win, is usually who they like more as a fan.
4. For Mayweather to even be in the discussion all these years, while he is still active, is a major compliment to Mayweather.
5. The Eye-Test. The Eye-Test says Sugar Ray would be too big on fight night. Without rehydration clauses, he would have an advantage. But, doesn't Floyd usually give up weight, size and height on fight night? The other side of the coin on the Eye-Test-as smart as Sugar Ray was, Floyd actually might be smarter. Floyd has better defense. Floyd has more pure boxing skills. The Eye-Test even makes it hard to call.
6. The level of fighters you are asking about would be more of a chess match than anyone thinks it would be. Sugar Ray would not be flurrying so much and winding up his punches like he did against lesser opponents. I think the punch output would be lower than expected and this fight would be seen more than once, maybe 3 times. That's how close I have it.
7. One thing to think about. Mayweather is better trained (father/uncle) and has better bloodlines. Mayweather's Dad was in the ring with Sugar (on 2 weeks notice) and his uncle was in the ring with Sweat Pea. Floyd Jr. has been raised to beat these guys. Mayweather has the most skills, maybe, we've ever seen. He can deal with all styles and has been taught and groomed since he was a kid to beat fighters like Sugar, Sweat Pea, etc. Mayweather is a mix of all the fighters before him, much like Tyson was.
I gotta agree with the majority on this one, as much as it irks me to be forced to admit this, Sugar Ray Leonard's wins over Hagler, Hearns and Duran put Ray in a class by himself. Floyd isn't in that class, he would have been game, just like Benitez was game, but I think no matter what Floyd could do, Ray could do it better. If Leonard didn't KO Mayweahter, Ray would have won the decision.
Both were very fast, Ray Leonard's combinations were obviously faster and flashier.
Leonard had more power.
Floyd has more correct defense and takes less risks.
Leonard was bigger.
The fight;
First 2 rounds they feel each other out, both land jabs, nothing significant, very boring like the Floyd-Oscar fight.
Middle rounds; i see Leonard having more effect. Floyd has never fought someone as fast as Leonard, Floyd can dodge and shoulder roll men smaller and slower than him, but this technique is ineffective against faster guys. Floyd tries to adapt and begins landing some shots, so Leonard instead of looking to hurt Floyd, focuses on being flashy.
Last rounds; Leonard sets up jabs and throws combinations that look good and win judges hearts.
Large UD win for Leonard. Leonard has the possibility to hurt Floyd can could have kayod him but that was a tough gamble.
Reasons; Floyd at 147lbs and up has a record of 10 wins 3 ko's [including ortiz], his competition has been OK. He didn't fight guys like Paul Williams, Margarito, Cotto or Pacroids when they were ''the men to beat'', he has never EVER fought a universally recognized world champion in his entire career. Much of Floyds success came from the lower weight divisions, but from 140lbs and up he hasn't necesarely fought the best [140lbs he took ghatti over Kostya tzsyu].
Floyd's only fights at 154lbs were against Cotto & Oscar, both were very competitive and 1 was a split UD [none of those guys were ever the best in the division].
Leonard has very few fights but with extremely tough competition, some of his first professional fights were against former top contenders. Leonard also built his career in welterweight and middleweight. Leonard is criticized for dodging a young Hagler and fighting him when he was older.
As Floyd once said; ''a big great fighter always beats a great small fighter''.
It's funny how people say Leonard wins because if Floyd could fight him and he were to beat him, they would make up an excuse for him too.
Floyd Mayweather in his prime vs. Ray Leonard in his prime. I can't pick a winner. It would be a good fight.
I'd say Ray Leonard. Both are fast and extremely agile, but Leonard could hit and I don't think Floyd's shoulder rolls could withstand Ray's vicious flurries. Ray might've difficulty finding his range in the early rounds because of Floyd's quick feet and slick movements, but once he does, he'd stop Floyd by the 11th round.
Ray Leonard easily.
I think it would be a very close fight and I'm a huge fan of them both, but ray might just edge it by a decision based on last minute flurries to take the rounds. Would be an interesting fight.
Ray leonard.. no doubt... fought against way better competition
hi rocky, almost everyone who answered your question selected leonard, i would differ,
i think mayweather could hit harder, more power, thus win.
Leonard, too much speed, power, and intelligence.
