BoxRec

Lots of fun in this match up born out of a critic's comparison of the greatness of SRLeonard to JCalzaghe.

Leonard famously comes out of retirement to pick off Donny LaLonde after Marvin retires in 88. A very special dual supermid/LH title match was arranged where Ray scores a late round TKO over the flagging LaLonde.

Thus leading to the accolades of Ray as the first 5 division champ. How's about we match him against Superduper Joe, the acknowledged Ring supermid/LH belt holder recently “retired.”

Both near the same height and reach, both touted boxing abilities and fast of hands and feet, both always in superior condition and both with their fair share of supporters and critics. To keep the parameters open, let's not restrict any version of either fighter. Both storied ama careers and presumably turn pro at about the same level. All's fair in this dustup, so pick your versions of who beats who.

I sure don't see this aged, albeit still capable, Leonard overcoming the much bigger, fresher Calzaghe. Speed always hurts speed in the ring, & Calzaghe's nothing to fear from the power of a former Welterweight, much less one who simply cannot match his output at this advanced stage of his career. Leonard was tricky, resourceful & elusive, & he'd steal rounds. He wouldn't make it out the back door with the fight, though.

Calzaghe, 7-4-1, 116-113.

Goodnight, Irene wrote:I sure don't see this aged, albeit still capable, Leonard overcoming the much bigger, fresher Calzaghe. Speed always hurts speed in the ring, & Calzaghe's nothing to fear from the power of a former Welterweight, much less one who simply cannot match his output at this advanced stage of his career. Leonard was tricky, resourceful & elusive, & he'd steal rounds. He wouldn't make it out the back door with the fight, though.

Calzaghe, 7-4-1, 116-113.

- How about a fresher version of Ray?

Joe about the same age of the Kalule-Ray in his first test against Eubank. Neither fighter dependent upon strength for their success. The weight Joe would have would be balanced by Ray's championship experience. It's obvious Ray could make every weight between welt and middle comfortably, so the size differential seems a minor issue since they are about the same height and reach.

BroughtonRulesRefuge wrote:

Goodnight, Irene wrote:I sure don't see this aged, albeit still capable, Leonard overcoming the much bigger, fresher Calzaghe. Speed always hurts speed in the ring, & Calzaghe's nothing to fear from the power of a former Welterweight, much less one who simply cannot match his output at this advanced stage of his career. Leonard was tricky, resourceful & elusive, & he'd steal rounds. He wouldn't make it out the back door with the fight, though.

Calzaghe, 7-4-1, 116-113.

- How about a fresher version of Ray?

Joe about the same age of the Kalule-Ray in his first test against Eubank. Neither fighter dependent upon strength for their success. The weight Joe would have would be balanced by Ray's championship experience. It's obvious Ray could make every weight between welt and middle comfortably, so the size differential seems a minor issue since they are about the same height and reach.

You really don't understand boxing do you?

dempseyfire wrote: You really don't understand boxing do you?

- I understand you and Mr. Evan Holy Field perfectly.

Not much else goin' in your world, but the good news is Mr. Evan Holy Field is gonna continue to pull the plow of unification into the '20s. You poised in line to be his first official blogger documenting every furrow he plows up.

Joe, whilst not as good as Leonard, was good enough for his size to be the major factor here. Calzaghe beats any version of Ray. By the time Leonard was big enough to take this fight he had also lost a beat or 2.

How about Leonard-Hopkins (with a same day weigh in)?

Ezzard wrote: How about Leonard-Hopkins (with a same day weigh in)?

- Pops could make any weight Ray could save welt, so weight not really an issue.

Ray has no experience with the frustration of fighting the likely spoiling style of the aging Popkins, and prime Popkins starting around Roy probably was too strong and active for Ray to beat. Maybe earlier version of each other would have Ray's better ama experience and confidence winning for him as Pops was pretty raw in the beginning.

BroughtonRulesRefuge wrote:

Ezzard wrote: How about Leonard-Hopkins (with a same day weigh in)?

- Pops could make any weight Ray could save welt, so weight not really an issue.

Ray has no experience with the frustration of fighting the likely spoiling style of the aging Popkins, and prime Popkins starting around Roy probably was too strong and active for Ray to beat. Maybe earlier version of each other would have Ray's better ama experience and confidence winning for him as Pops was pretty raw in the beginning.

Pops?