Micheal Nunn vs Ray Leonard

[Elton John]

Leonard coming off his big win over Hagler hangs around to make a defense instead of pursuing the very weak champion Lalonde. I think Ray has a good chance of turning back Tate in a struggle but Micheal Nunn the most slippery and deceptively dangerous puncher, is another matter.

Is Ray good enough to turn back Mike?

[Idisagree]

I’m not sure that at that time Nunn would’ve been able to deal with Leonard’s experience. I think Leonard would’ve decision Nunn. The experience factor was in huge favor of Leonard. Nunn eventually developed into a great fighter but I don’t think he would’ve been ready for Leonard in 1987.

[Elton John]

you dont need much expereince to beat Ray if you got a hard to deal with slippery style like Nunn. Ray had major problems dealing with this type fighter. Nunn's speed, like Norris', would be too much to deal with. Plus, add to the fact that Nunn was lefthanded, and Ray's experience becomes a moot point

[Elton John]

I’m not sure that at that time Nunn would’ve been able to deal with Leonard’s experience. I think Leonard would’ve decision Nunn. The experience factor was in huge favor of Leonard. Nunn eventually developed into a great fighter but I don’t think he would’ve been ready for Leonard in 1987.

Idissagree, if you have the fight, look at Tate's defense against Nunn. Mike was almost impossible for him to touch. How does experience help Ray out when it didnt help him against Norris?

[Elton John]

I'm not saying I love Micheal Nunn. I'm just saying his style's a bitch

[Totybear]

I’m not sure that at that time Nunn would’ve been able to deal with Leonard’s experience. I think Leonard would’ve decision Nunn. The experience factor was in huge favor of Leonard. Nunn eventually developed into a great fighter but I don’t think he would’ve been ready for Leonard in 1987.

Idissagree, if you have the fight, look at Tate's defense against Nunn. Mike was almost impossible for him to touch. How does experience help Ray out when it didnt help him against Norris?

Because like Norris against Rosenblatt, Mullings and Boudouni Leonard was a shot fighter against Norris. No right minded person (present company excepted) would expect Norris to go the distance with a prime Leonard. Prime for prime Leonard destroys Norris easily, he may not have the power of Jackson but hit hard enough to put Norris away in six after letting the crowd see a show.

Against Nunn at the time, too slick, too quick and too experienced if Hagler couldn't do it no way would Nunn.

[Elton John]

I’m not sure that at that time Nunn would’ve been able to deal with Leonard’s experience. I think Leonard would’ve decision Nunn. The experience factor was in huge favor of Leonard. Nunn eventually developed into a great fighter but I don’t think he would’ve been ready for Leonard in 1987.

Idissagree, if you have the fight, look at Tate's defense against Nunn. Mike was almost impossible for him to touch. How does experience help Ray out when it didnt help him against Norris?

Because like Norris against Rosenblatt, Mullings and Boudouni Leonard was a shot fighter against Norris. No right minded person (present company excepted) would expect Norris to go the distance with a prime Leonard. Prime for prime Leonard destroys Norris easily, he may not have the power of Jackson but hit hard enough to put Norris away in six after letting the crowd see a show.

Against Nunn at the time, too slick, too quick and too experienced if Hagler couldn't do it no way would Nunn.

many experts were of the opinion that there was no way Ray could lose, Having won 5 titles (3 of them questionably), went 11 years without losing and a 3-1 favorite in the fight.

How does that make Leonard a shot fighter?

He was winning wasnt he? And can you even criticize his previous performance? Like saying "his legs were shot". Can't do it if he made a shutout on the cards.

I think it's just sour grapes that this time around it couldnt be leonard playing the role of upstart. That role went to the worthy Terry Norris who i was thoroughly impressed with. I WASNT so impressed by Leonard's performance

face it my man Norris had the speed and power to put ray in his proper place and Ray never had the best chin to begin with. Even kevin Howard, a much smaller man was able to put him down. and what's more, it took him nine whole rounds toget him into trouble! so I dont see what chance Ray would stand with a much more capable man like Norris

Judging Ray in his performance with Kalule, I dont believe Norris would have much problem with either Ray or Kalule. Niether was impressive and lets face it, if Ray were half the fighter you say he is, he'd have had no problem with Norris

Just forget about Leonard ever beating speedsters like Norris or Nunn. In your fantasies and dreams maybe but never in real life

It was the SPEED that beat him!

[Idisagree]

That is an unfair assumption. After a year of retirement Leonard came back and it was quite clear that he did not have the legs for that fight. I’m sure the Leonard that fought Duran in 1980 would’ve defeated Norris. Duran had the speed and power to stop Leonard and he couldn’t, Hearns who I consider above Norris in speed, power, and boxing ability could not do it. Norris just fought a completely washed-up Leonard.

[Grimm]

Leonard definitely not in his prime vs Norris.

If Leonard fought Nunn after he fought Hagler I could see Nunn getting the win on that one.

[Totybear]

Idissagree, if you have the fight, look at Tate's defense against Nunn. Mike was almost impossible for him to touch. How does experience help Ray out when it didnt help him against Norris?

Because like Norris against Rosenblatt, Mullings and Boudouni Leonard was a shot fighter against Norris. No right minded person (present company excepted) would expect Norris to go the distance with a prime Leonard. Prime for prime Leonard destroys Norris easily, he may not have the power of Jackson but hit hard enough to put Norris away in six after letting the crowd see a show.

Against Nunn at the time, too slick, too quick and too experienced if Hagler couldn't do it no way would Nunn.

many experts were of the opinion that there was no way Ray could lose, Having won 5 titles (3 of them questionably), went 11 years without losing and a 3-1 favorite in the fight.

How does that make Leonard a shot fighter?

He was winning wasnt he? And can you even criticize his previous performance? Like saying "his legs were shot". Can't do it if he made a shutout on the cards.

I think it's just sour grapes that this time around it couldnt be leonard playing the role of upstart. That role went to the worthy Terry Norris who i was thoroughly impressed with. I WASNT so impressed by Leonard's performance

face it my man Norris had the speed and power to put ray in his proper place and Ray never had the best chin to begin with. Even kevin Howard, a much smaller man was able to put him down. and what's more, it took him nine whole rounds toget him into trouble! so I dont see what chance Ray would stand with a much more capable man like Norris

Judging Ray in his performance with Kalule, I dont believe Norris would have much problem with either Ray or Kalule. Niether was impressive and lets face it, if Ray were half the fighter you say he is, he'd have had no problem with Norris

Just forget about Leonard ever beating speedsters like Norris or Nunn. In your fantasies and dreams maybe but never in real life

It was the SPEED that beat him!

Firstly got to say Elt I love your posts! You are one of the few posters that can give the great Granberry a run for his money.

So using your logic Leonard would never have beaten Mullings, Rossenblatt or Boudouani because these guys owned a peak Norris who was still winning......

In fact if like you,we take out all the mitigating circumstances then clearly Santana can take Norris home and put him on his mantlepeice after two "wins" on the record against him

Like Danny Williams against Tyson, Berbick against Ali, Tarver against RJJ, Joppy against Duran I can assure you Norris thanks god on a daily basis that he wasn't facing a peak Leonard who would easily have toyed with a good champion a few levels below the elite where Leonard recides!

Sorry Elt but I doubt that Norris could beat a prime Curry. He just seemed to be in the right place at the right time!

Regards to your Granberrydad, you guys never have a dull post (well sometimes)!

[Elton John]

Firstly got to say Elt I love your posts! You are one of the few posters that can give the great Granberry a run for his money.

So using your logic Leonard would never have beaten Mullings, Rossenblatt or Boudouani because these guys owned a peak Norris who was still winning......

In fact if like you,we take out all the mitigating circumstances then clearly Santana can take Norris home and put him on his mantlepeice after two "wins" on the record against him

Like Danny Williams against Tyson, Berbick against Ali, Tarver against RJJ, Joppy against Duran I can assure you Norris thanks god on a daily basis that he wasn't facing a peak Leonard who would easily have toyed with a good champion a few levels below the elite where Leonard recides!

Sorry Elt but I doubt that Norris could beat a prime Curry. He just seemed to be in the right place at the right time!

Regards to your Granberrydad, you guys never have a dull post (well sometimes)!

there's just one problem with your rebuttal Mr. totybear: you havent proven that Ray can be compared to Ali of 81 or 80 or even '75. The way he was mving about in uno mas is hardly evidence

So once again, can you prove it? or am I just supposed to TAKE YOUR WORD for it?

[cybox]

There was a reaosn this fight was never made due to Leondard feeling he would have had trouble wth Nunn's speed from the southpaw style as well as Nunn had a very dood defense. SAme goes for Roy Jones Jr. Why do you think Roy vacated the WBC 175 lb title instread of fighting Nunn.