Sugar Ray Leonard vs James Toney and Bernard Hopkins (160lbs)

[James9753]

How would Ray Leonard have done against Toney and Hopkins at 160lbs, if we go by the performance Leonard had against Hagler?

[gilgamesh]

Toney probably represents a tougher stylistic challenge to him. Hopkins' biggest flaw seemed to be in dealing with exceptionally fast guys, and Leonard was certainly exceptionally fast.

[DrDuke]

Hopkins is more likely to lose, Toney is more likely to win for sure.

[elmersalsa]

Both of them beat the great Sugar Ray Leonard. Not because they had better technical skills, but because of the weight class. Leonard wasn't that great above 147lbs.

[SenorPipino]

I like Leonard in both bouts while recognizing, as elmersalsa points out, that Leonard was hardly at his best at 160.

But I think Leonard's speed and caginess overcomes both.

Toney looked somewhat impotent against fine boxers Jones and Nunn (until he pulled it out late).

Other talented boxers such as Johnson and Griffin twice gave him headaches.

Hopkins seemed lost in how to deal with the smart Jones in their first fight. He also could be very economical in his offense and the flashier Leonard would do all the eye-catching work.

Not easy fights for Leonard, but he walks away with the decisions.