Super welterweights: Sugar Ray Leonard vs Mike McCallum

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2 great complete boxers. Looking at the record of how he did at 154, I pick McCallum by decision or late KO.

I don't know how you could pick a KO against Sugar Ray, when he had a titanium chin.

Nobody KO's SRL when he was still young enough to be in the ring.

I do agree, that McCallum may have been able to take him on points at light middle though, but only MAY of.

I can envisage Sugar Ray outboxing him over 15 rounds, like Kalambay did.

Sugar Ray on points for me.

[Victor*KC]

Leonard by easy UD Only 1 he has a chance against is Duran

[Victor*KC]

Leonard easy UD The only 1 he might beat is Duran

[The Great John L]

Interesting matchup because it’s one that could have – should have – happened but didn’t. And there’s a reason for that.

McCallum would have made SRL very uncomfortable with a pressing attack to the body. It would have been SRL early, with the Body Snatcher taking charge by the middle rounds and pulling out a close but unanimous decision.

The Body Snatcher. Gotta love that nickname…

[Ambling Alp]

John L - I guess I'm not exactly sure what you mean by the statement that a McCallum-Leonard fight could have and should have happened? Are you implying that Leonard ducked McCallum? Or are you saying that the fight should have happened in the mid 1980's but didn't because Leonard was out of action because of his eye problems?

Are you thinking of a specific point in time McCallum would have beaten Leonard? Or are you saying hypothetically McCallum at his best would have beaten Leonard at his best?

[The Great John L]

John L - I guess I'm not exactly sure what you mean by the statement that a McCallum-Leonard fight could have and should have happened? Are you implying that Leonard ducked McCallum? Or are you saying that the fight should have happened in the mid 1980's but didn't because Leonard was out of action because of his eye problems?

Leonard could have fought McCallum during his second career (after Hagler), but I’m sure McCallum was considered not worth the risk because he was not a well known fighter and would have been risky. In fact, he probably wasn’t ever really considered because he wasn’t a big name. If you want to say that means I think he ducked him, then you may say that, but boxing is a business and fighters pretty much always choose the path to the biggest paydays, and McCallum wouldn’t have been a big payday.

Interestingly Hearns, Leonard and Duran all managed to not get in the ring with McCallum and I think that might be more than coincidence. Too much risk for a so-so payday.

Are you thinking of a specific point in time McCallum would have beaten Leonard? Or are you saying hypothetically McCallum at his best would have beaten Leonard at his best?

McCallum at his best would have been too much for Leonard. He was a naturally bigger man and would have presented a very difficult style for SRL. Certain;y not a mismatch, but I’d go with McCallum 7 or 8 times out of 10.

[Ambling Alp]

After the Hagler fight, Leonard only showed flashes of his what he once was. McCallum may have been able to beat Leonard then, though thats hard to say since McCallum had so much trouble with Kalambay.

I can't see MccCallum at his best beating Leonard at his best. Leonard had it all, smarts, heart, speed, chin, boxing ability and an underrated punch. McCallum was a very good fighter, but Leonard would able to beat him.