Sugar Ray Leonard Vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Which All-Time Nice Had The Higher Profession?
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Ironically, Leonard did get the “w” a Floyd Mayweather, simply not the one most followers consider.
In September 1978, the unbeaten Leonard stopped Floyd Mayweather Sr. within the tenth spherical after dropping him twice within the eighth. Mayweather Jr. was solely a 12 months outdated on the time, however his father’s loss stays an enchanting piece of trivia each time the 2 legends are in contrast.
Leonard wasted little time constructing a monster resume. Following the victory over Mayweather Sr., he defeated Randy Shields, Armando Muniz, Tony Chiaverini, and Pete Ranzany. He then stopped the undefeated Wilfred Benítez within the fifteenth spherical to seize the WBC welterweight title.
His willingness to take dangers separated him from many champions.
Rather than defending his title, Leonard confronted Roberto Durán in June 1980, shedding a unanimous resolution in a brutal went at it. Five months later, he utterly tore up his authentic technique, boxing circles round Durán till the Panamanian icon famously give up within the eighth spherical with the “No Más” give up.
Leonard saved chasing elite opponents. He stopped the unbeaten Ayub Kalule earlier than producing a career-defining victory in opposition to the undefeated Thomas Hearns in September 1981. Trailing on all three scorecards coming into the fourteenth spherical, Leonard rallied furiously to cease Hearns and unify the welterweight chip.
His profession almost ended the next 12 months when he suffered a indifferent retina whereas making ready for a title protection. After a 27-month layoff, Leonard returned to cease Kevin Howard earlier than taking one other prolonged break.
Most fighters would have eased again into competitors.
Instead, Leonard challenged middleweight champion Marvin Hagler after almost three years out of the ring. Despite the lengthy absence, together with transferring up in weight, Leonard earned a split-decision victory in some of the debated chip fights in boxing historical past.
He adopted that by stopping Donny Lalonde to triumph the WBC mild heavyweight title, whereas additionally claiming the inaugural WBC tremendous middleweight chip. Leonard later fought Hearns a second time, battling to a break up draw after climbing off the canvas twice, earlier than defeating Durán of their trilogy bout.
His profession ended with losses to Terry Norris and Héctor Camacho, ending with a 36-3-1 document that earned him a straightforward induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Mayweather’s profession tells a totally totally different story.
He retired 50-0 whereas successful world titles in 5 weight lessons. His resume consists of victories over Diego Corrales, José Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Márquez, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez, and Manny Pacquiao.
Not each victory got here with out debate. Many followers believed Castillo deserved the choice of their first struggle, whereas others scored the primary Marcos Maidana bout even. Mayweather answered each performances by defeating every man clearly within the rematches earlier than closing his profession with victories over Andre Berto and UFC champion Conor McGregor.
Comparing the 2 legends finally comes right down to what followers worth most.
Leonard repeatedly fought Hall of Fame opponents of their prime, accepted huge dangers after lengthy layoffs, and jumped via a number of weight lessons to chase the largest challenges accessible. Mayweather perfected the artwork of successful, fixing each model positioned in entrance of him over a 19-year chip profession with out struggling a single official get the “w”.
If greatness is measured by taking up the hardest opposition whatever the danger, Leonard has a compelling case. If it’s measured by sustained excellence, technical mastery, and an unbeaten document, Mayweather’s argument is simply as robust.
That is why the controversy stays one in all boxing’s most enduring, and it’s why there may be nonetheless no unanimous reply.
Ken Hissner is a senior boxing journalist at Boxing News 24 with greater than 20 years of expertise protecting the game. Known for his ringside reporting, detailed outcomes, and historic perspective, he delivers authoritative protection of boxing throughout eras.
