BoxRec

Are there really people who believe Floyd Mayweather could beat Sugar Ray Leonard?

Sugar Ray was bigger, faster, stronger, cracked harder, and had better footwork. The only advantage Floyd has is he's a better defensive fighter.

ThatOne wrote:



Are there really people who believe Floyd Mayweather could beat Sugar Ray Leonard?

Sugar Ray was bigger, faster, stronger, cracked harder, and had better footwork. The only advantage Floyd has is he's a better defensive fighter.

i believe SRL wins, but it ain't that easy ...

Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'

The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down, like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

For me Floyd Mayweather loses to Sugar Ray Leonard as, Sugar Ray Leonard was slicker, better defensive and had the quicker hands. Thomas Hearns would knock Mayweather for me and also He wouldnt beat Roberto Duran as a Lightweight as Welter I am not sure.

Tuan_Jim wrote:Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'

The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down, like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

I think Leonard wins, but maybe not as easily as you feel he would. I think maybe a fight like Benitez/Leonard.

Tuan_Jim wrote:Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'

The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down, like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

Floyd senior would never be a multi division champion in any era.

As good as the great Floyd Mayweather, Jr is, I cannot see him beat none of the Fabulous 4 of Duran, Hagler, Hearns nor Leonard. These 4 were extraordinary fighters. Too extraordinary.

tiny_acres wrote:

Tuan_Jim wrote:Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'

The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down, like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

Floyd senior would never be a multi division champion in any era.

We're in an era where Ricky Burns is, in some people's eyes, a multi division champion.

Need I really name some of the mediocrities who have held one of the innumerable belts in more than one of the innumerable divisions?

Tuan_Jim wrote:
We're in an era where Ricky Burns is, in some people's eyes, a multi division champion.

Need I really name some of the mediocrities who have held one of the innumerable belts in more than one of the innumerable divisions?

Let's face it, if your face fits, the multi-belt situation today means you get endless fvccking shots, as there are endless title opportunities that have to be filled. Saying a decent journeyman of the past would be a champion of sorts today really isn't that much of a stretch.

Floyd Sr. could pick up a WBA regular title or two, I'm sure. Rigoberto Fuckin' Alvarez managed at least one of those (I think, I really don't care enough to check), & Floyd--if he could keep powder-free--would stand Rigoberto on his head, for kicks.

I mean, FFS, Nathan Cleverley was world champion. We can all cavil about the legitimacy of such things & we do, I know, but really we're missing the point: we should be cavilling about what's been done to the fuckin' sport, rather than trying to defend some intricate Dungeons & Dragons-bullshit "proper title lineage" fantasy.

I don't believe that Mayweather Jr could have beaten SRL, but Floyd would undoubtedly have made it awkward for Ray.

I see a similar fight in prospect to the Wilfredo Benitez fight.

Datsue wrote:

Tuan_Jim wrote:
We're in an era where Ricky Burns is, in some people's eyes, a multi division champion.

Need I really name some of the mediocrities who have held one of the innumerable belts in more than one of the innumerable divisions?

Let's face it, if your face fits, the multi-belt situation today means you get endless fvccking shots, as there are endless title opportunities that have to be filled. Saying a decent journeyman of the past would be a champion of sorts today really isn't that much of a stretch.

Floyd Sr. could pick up a WBA regular title or two, I'm sure. Rigoberto Fuckin' Alvarez managed at least one of those (I think, I really don't care enough to check), & Floyd--if he could keep powder-free--would stand Rigoberto on his head, for kicks.

I mean, FFS, Nathan Cleverley was world champion. We can all cavil about the legitimacy of such things & we do, I know, but really we're missing the point: we should be cavilling about what's been done to the fuckin' sport, rather than trying to defend some intricate Dungeons & Dragons-bullshit "proper title lineage" fantasy.

Great post, Rigoberto beat Ishida (by SD) for the interim WBA title. I don't know if that is better, that it was an interim title, or worse because it was an INTERIM title!

tiny_acres wrote:

Tuan_Jim wrote:Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'

The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down, like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

Floyd senior would never be a multi division champion in any era.

So Floyd Sr couldn't be a multi-title holder in an era when the likes of Carlos Maussa, David Diaz, Roman Martinez, and Chris Algieri were "champions?" Give me a break . . .

dempseyfire wrote:

tiny_acres wrote:

Tuan_Jim wrote:Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'
28-
The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down, like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

Floyd senior would never be a multi division champion in any era.

So Floyd Sr couldn't be a multi-title holder in an era when the likes of Carlos Maussa, David Diaz, Roman Martinez, and Chris Algieri were "champions?" Give me a break . . .

May I ask a simple question?
Who did senior beat who was as good as the fighters you mentioned?
The guys resume is weak. Every time he stepped up he lost.28-6 was his record
and the majority of his wins were over scrubs.I lived through his era.He was a journeyman or gatekeeper
at best.

Tuan_Jim wrote:Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'

The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down,
like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

Referring to "most boxing fans, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather as being "stupid" is the most ridiculous comment I ever heard.
Boxing fans are not stupid...they might have a different opinion than yours but to call them "stupid".
All I'm hearing from your post is Leonard would do this and Leonard would do that. Someone might consider that as just stupid rhetoric.
especially when you use Floyd Mayweather "SENIOR" as being some big accomplishment... and use that fight as a determining factor that leonard would do the same
to FMJR. But that's not being stupid...that's just your opinion and speculation on your part.

tiny_acres wrote:

dempseyfire wrote:

Tuan_Jim wrote:Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'
28-
The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down, like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

Floyd senior would never be a multi division champion in any era.

So Floyd Sr couldn't be a multi-title holder in an era when the likes of Carlos Maussa, David Diaz, Roman Martinez, and Chris Algieri were "champions?" Give me a break . . .

May I ask a simple question?
Who did senior beat who was as good as the fighters you mentioned?
The guys resume is weak. Every time he stepped up he lost.28-6 was his record
and the majority of his wins were over scrubs.I lived through his era.He was a journeyman or gatekeeper
at best.[/quote]

It was also a much deeper era. Gatekeepers then would be titleholders now. I honestly don't know enough about his opponents to say how they compared to the group above (although his wins over Barreto and McKnight impressed the Ring enough for them to give him a top 10 ranking at the time he fought Sugar Ray) , but seeing him put up a respectable performance vs the undefeated Leonard and the skills he displayed in that fight, I think he definitely could've beaten the fighters (lb for lb) I mentioned.

RAPIDFIRE wrote:

Tuan_Jim wrote:Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'

The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down,
like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

Referring to "most boxing fans, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather as being "stupid" is the most ridiculous comment I ever heard.
Boxing fans are not stupid...they might have a different opinion than yours but to call them "stupid".
All I'm hearing from your post is Leonard would do this and Leonard would do that. Someone might consider that as just stupid rhetoric.
especially when you use Floyd Mayweather "SENIOR" as being some big accomplishment... and use that fight as a determining factor that leonard would do the same
to FMJR. But that's not being stupid...that's just your opinion and speculation on your part.

A lot of people of today have less awareness of past fighters etc. I have a good friend who loves boxing but I have had to educate hime on boxing history and open his eyes to Hagler, Leonard etc...There are many of todays boxing fans who have very little regard for history so yes in their eyes Mayweather is the best thing since sliced bread.

Why do some of you guys even watch boxing today? I mean if the best pound for pound fighter of the last 15 years doesnt even stand a chance against a p4p great of 30 years ago then it hardly seems worth while watching?

evrenb wrote:

RAPIDFIRE wrote:

Tuan_Jim wrote:Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'

The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down,
like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

Referring to "most boxing fans, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather as being "stupid" is the most ridiculous comment I ever heard.
Boxing fans are not stupid...they might have a different opinion than yours but to call them "stupid".
All I'm hearing from your post is Leonard would do this and Leonard would do that. Someone might consider that as just stupid rhetoric.
especially when you use Floyd Mayweather "SENIOR" as being some big accomplishment... and use that fight as a determining factor that leonard would do the same
to FMJR. But that's not being stupid...that's just your opinion and speculation on your part.

A lot of people of today have less awareness of past fighters etc. I have a good friend who loves boxing but I have had to educate hime on boxing history and open his eyes to Hagler, Leonard etc...There are many of todays boxing fans who have very little regard for history so yes in their eyes Mayweather is the best thing since sliced bread.

My thoughts are that people today that weren't boxing fans during that era we are speaking about most likely do not have the awareness/knowledge about these fighters as you stated...agreed
A generalization was made by the person that posted these comments. I personally am not a Mayweather fan however
I'm sure that there are plenty of Mayweather fans from that era as well. I just would not be arrogant enough to label people as
stupid...appreciate the response and I am fortunate enough to have been able to see boxing as it was during that great error.

Syntax Error wrote:I don't believe that Mayweather Jr could have beaten SRL, but Floyd would undoubtedly have made it awkward for Ray.

I see a similar fight in prospect to the Wilfredo Benitez fight.

That is plagiarism man. Straight out plagiarism.

bigcheese wrote:Why do some of you guys even watch boxing today? I mean if the best pound for pound fighter of the last 15 years doesnt even stand a chance against a p4p great of 30 years ago then it hardly seems worth while watching?

Has boxing not advanced at all? Are you not under selling mayweather? There's a juxtaposition right there..

Mayweather by massive points decision bamboozling Raymond from the opening bell with his defensive craft.

bigcheese wrote:Why do some of you guys even watch boxing today? I mean if the best pound for pound fighter of the last 15 years doesnt even stand a chance against a p4p great of 30 years ago then it hardly seems worth while watching?

Just because I've had a filet mignon doesn't mean I don't eat the occasional McDonalds . . although I watch FAR less current boxing than I used to.

I do believe Leonard would win. But not easily. Floyd could compete with anyone in history. Hearns said the same thing.

dempseyfire wrote:

bigcheese wrote:Why do some of you guys even watch boxing today? I mean if the best pound for pound fighter of the last 15 years doesnt even stand a chance against a p4p great of 30 years ago then it hardly seems worth while watching?

Just because I've had a filet mignon doesn't mean I don't eat the occasional McDonalds . . although I watch FAR less current boxing than I used to.

I guess I just have a hard time believing that boxing is the only sport in the world where athletes are getting worse. I understand the guy and his fans and all TBE talk can be annoying, but if people cant recognize the guys talent and admit that he is an all time great than I dont know what to say

RAPIDFIRE wrote:

Tuan_Jim wrote:Really the question is 'are there boxing fans who are very stupid?'

The answer is yes, most of them, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather.

Leonard would roll right over Mayweather. Mayweather has nothing to discourage Leonard, nothing. Leonard would swarm him relentlessly, banging him up and down,
like he did Mayweather Snr, who would be a multi division paper titlist on today's scene.

Referring to "most boxing fans, and they tend to be fans of Floyd Mayweather as being "stupid" is the most ridiculous comment I ever heard.
Boxing fans are not stupid...they might have a different opinion than yours but to call them "stupid".
All I'm hearing from your post is Leonard would do this and Leonard would do that. Someone might consider that as just stupid rhetoric.
especially when you use Floyd Mayweather "SENIOR" as being some big accomplishment... and use that fight as a determining factor that leonard would do the same
to FMJR. But that's not being stupid...that's just your opinion and speculation on your part.

Look, you're talking to a man who re-watches Tony Tubbs vs Greg Page for entertainment, and who paid money to attend Howard Eastman fights, so I'm hardly trying to position myself as some snob scholar of high fistiana.

I have no issue with someone having a different opinion to mine in regards to boxing, if they're applying sound reasoning and rational analysis. But when you begin to compare Leonard and Mayweather, the analysis must expand to some almost dizzyingly vast dimension in order to properly distinguish the two eras they boxed in. One guy was Great in an era with fewer belts, fewer divisions, and where the best fought the best in their young hard physical prime. The other guy is 'Great' in the first era ever where you claim Greatness without proving Greatness in the ring. What you can do now, if talented and well-liked by television execs, is handcraft long unbeaten runs, traverse divisions targeting weaker belt holders, accumulate glittering piles of silverware, and all the while keep an eye out for the 'big name' who's hit 35, or 39, or 40 - or some other stupid age to still be boxing at - and sign that fight, get your big win and serve it up as final proof that you were Great all along, all your previous fights are now elevated, you are clearly a match for any Great in boxing history, and if you don't agree then-how-do-you-explain-my-being-a-5-division-10-time-world-champion-you-rose-tinted-fool? How do you even begin to debate with the boxing fan who has bought into all that?

As Datsue and co pointed out, there's a long long list of ordinary fighters who have been world champions under the current system. Belts are cheap, and multi division champs plentiful. In one Ricky Burns fight, the graphic beforehand showed that with all his 'title defences' he was now 'Scotland's greatest ever boxing champion'. Ken Buchanan had to defend against Ismael Laguna and Hands of Stone. Jim Watt had to defend against Hands of Megaton Death. Great Charley Burley in the sky, Ken Buchanan had to fight in a tropical supernova - and he's a ginger! But Burns with his run of WBO half cadavers is 'Scotland's greatest'. If Burns had been born in 1949, he'd be a forgotten name punctuating the more obscurer passages of KB and JW's records (opinion and speculation).

For all the reasons there are to dislike Leonard, in the ring he has Benitez, Duran, Hearns, and Hagler. That's a scary gang by any man's standard. To look at Mayweather's prime scalps, which are .... Hatton, and, er, Cotto, and, er, Maidana, and his mortal terror of Pacman, and all his stupid belts, and use that to pick him over Sugar Ray Leonard is not speculation. It's something closer to believing in astrology, or fire breathing dragons. There's no sound reasoning you can use to say Mayweather beats anyone of Leonard's level, unless you think a 35 year old Oscar de la Hoya is the vertex of two-handed combat.