Mythical Matchup: Floyd Mayweather, JR Vs Sugar Ray Leonard

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Divas collide as Money squares off against Sugar Ray in our next mythical matchup. Sugar Ray was boxing’s brightest star in the late 1970’s and early 80’s. Leonard was a flashy boxer with incredible speed of hand and foot. At the same time, he wasn’t afraid to mix it up when circumstances warranted. Sugar Ray was a vicious body puncher, possessed a lethal left hook and was an outstanding finisher. Leonard enters this fight coming off of his historic 14th round TKO victory over Thomas Hearns in September 1981. The 25 year old Sugar Ray has an excellent professional record of 31-1, 22 KO’s.

Floyd Mayweather, JR. is the self-proclaimed Greatest Fighter of All-Time. Whether you believe him or not, Floyd is certainly the most accomplished fighter we’ve seen over the past 20 years. Mayweather was a brilliant defensive fighter who frustrated opponents with his quick, accurate counterpunching. Mayweather enters this fight coming off his 12 round split decision victory over Oscar De La Hoya in May 2007. The 30 year old Mayweather is 38-0, 24 KO’s.

Mayweather,JR Vs Leonard: Who will reign as boxing’s ultimate diva?

Let’s Settle This in the Ring…

Over 70,000 fans have gathered at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas to witness one of the most intriguing and speculated upon mythical matchups of all-time. Additionally, a record 12 million viewers from around the world have purchased this fight on pay-per-view. Mayweather is actually a slight 6-5 favorite according to the Las Vegas odds-makers. However, 36 of the 50 ring experts polled believe that Sugar Ray will reign supreme on this particular evening.

Sugar Ray Leonard makes his way to the ring first. He weighs 146 ½ lbs. and wears black trunks with red trim. Mayweather follows a few minutes later dressed in white trunks with red trim. Floyd weighs in tonight at a slim and ready 145 lbs. Prince wows the crowd with a guitar version of the national anthem and exits the ring to thunderous applause. At 11:04 PM CST, referee Richard Steele calls the fighters to the center of the ring to issue his final instructions. The bell is about to ring for round one.

After all the intense build up the fight begins not with a bang but a whimper. Sugar Ray is more active but completely flummoxed by Floyd’s air tight defense over the first three rounds. The great Sugar Ray Leonard is reduced to just another guy who lands less than 20% of his punches against the wizard that is Floyd Mayweather, JR. From an offensive standpoint, Floyd is hardly setting the world on fire but the punches he does throw are crisp, clean and accurate. This is enough to carry the rounds on the judges’ scorecards.

By the 4th, Sugar Ray looks puzzled and uptight. He stalks intently but neglects to throw punches while Mayweather continues to pile up points. Leonard finally nails Mayweather with a perfect left hook on the point of the chin midway through round 5. An excited Sugar Ray pursues Floyd to the ropes and unloads his full arsenal of combinations looking to close the show. However, Mayweather is able to survive the assault by eluding Leonard’s most dangerous blows with his shoulder roll and clever head movement.

A frustrated and winded Leonard comes out for round 6. Once again, the pattern is set. Mayweather controls the pace and distance and accomplishes just enough to steal the round. Floyd is now comfortably ahead on points and mocks Sugar Ray by raising his arms in victory as he returns to his corner. As Leonard returns to his corner, Angelo Dundee explodes in rage: “Damn it Ray! You’re making this fight harder than it has to be! This guy is too slick. Don’t try to get him out of there with one shot. Be patient! Use your jab! Break him down!”

Leonard follows Angelo’s advice and throws his left jab with greater frequency in round 7. Although it misses far more often than it lands, it succeeds in disrupting Mayweather’s rhythm. By round 9, Sugar Ray has gradually worked his way back into the fight. A more confident Leonard asserts himself with greater vigor in round 10 forcing Mayweather to the ropes and banging him to the body. Floyd tries to counter but his punches are having little impact against the stronger Sugar Ray. Leonard lands a tremendous right which staggers Mayweather late in round 11. A tiring Mayweather holds on while Sugar Ray lands blistering combinations to the body and head. Leonard moves in for the kill in round 12. However, he gets careless and walks into a sharp straight right by Mayweather that buckles his knees.

With 9 minutes remaining, this epic showdown is very much up for grabs. Which man will assert his will down the stretch? Leonard lands a crushing right to the body which doubles Mayweather over. Sugar Ray forces Floyd to the ropes and batters him to the head and body but still struggles to land the finishing blow. Floyd SR desperately tries to encourage Mayweather in the corner: “Floyd you’re greatest of all-time, go out there and prove it! Six minutes! You’re better than this guy!”

Sugar Ray Leonard cracks a tiny smile as he comes out for round 14. Mayweather nails him with a straight right on the chin but Sugar Ray shakes his head in contempt. Leonard stalks Floyd patiently while the crowd excoriates him to finish the show. An exhausted Mayweather retreats to the ropes. Suddenly Leonard uncorks a blistering left uppercut, right cross combination which sends Floyd to the canvas with 0:40 remaining in the round. Mayweather rises at the count of 7 but his legs are just about shot. Sugar Ray traps him in the corner and lands a devastating six punch combination, capped off by an overhand right which leaves Floyd unconscious on the canvas.

Leonard gives credit to Mayweather in his post-fight interview with Max Kellerman: “Floyd is a great champion and so incredibly skilled. This fight was tiring, exhausting and demanding. It might have been the toughest of my career.”

Floyd responded: “I’m not going to take anything away from Sugar Ray Leonard. He’s a great fighter and a great man. I was kicking his ass but I hurt my left hand in the 5th round and if it were not for that I would have knocked him out.

He’s great but I’m the greatest!” Kellerman then looks over at both fighters and says: “Ok guys, do you think a rematch is in order?” Leonard and Mayweather reply in unison: “Yes! But only if the money is right!”