Sugar ray leonard fights. They don't make them like that anymore. The era of Sugar Ray Leonard. Final stage of career

The period from 1970 to 1980 in world boxing can safely be called the golden era. It was during these years that many great fights took place. Moreover, in many cases, fights formed a real confrontation not only in the square of the ring, but also in life. This article will talk about a man named Leonard Ray, a boxer whose name is forever inscribed in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Birth

“Sugar” (the athlete’s nickname) was born on May 17, 1956. His place of birth is the city of Rocky Mount, located in the American state. He was the fifth child in his family. In total, besides him, there were six more children. Your childhood future champion spent in Wilmington.

Amateur career

Leonard Ray began boxing on the advice of his older brother in 1969. He had his first amateur fight in 1972. During his time as an amateur, the boxer was able to twice win the most prestigious world tournament called the Golden Gloves. This happened in 1973 and 1974. Moreover, in one of the finals, Leonard Ray was able to defeat the future world champion among professionals, Hilmer Canty.

In 1976, our hero took part in the selection for the Olympics in Montreal. As a result of these fights, the following were defeated: Ronnie Shields (he later became the world champion in the junior welterweight), Bruce Curry. On themselves Olympic Games ah Leonard Ray wins gold, defeating Ulf Karlsson, Valery Limasov, Clinton McKenzie, Ulrich Bayer, Kazimierz, Szczerba, Andres Aldama along the way.

Going pro

Sugar Ray Leonard first entered the ring as a professional in February 1977. His first mentor for so long high level became Angeldo Dundee, who trained Mohamed Ali himself. This turn of events immediately attracted the attention of the public to the young and promising boxer.

First title

At the end of 1979, a fight was organized and fought between two undefeated boxers - an ambitious and aggressive challenger, whose name, you guessed it, was Sugar Ray Leonard, and the youngest champion in boxing history - Wilfred Benitez. The fight took place for the WBC welterweight title. As a result, Ray knocked out the champion in the final three minutes.

Confrontation with the Panamanian

After winning the belt, Leonard made only one defense, knocking out Dave Green. And then six months later he entered into a duel with the best boxer on the planet at that time, regardless of category. Experts considered the Panamanian to be the favorite. However, bookmakers had a different opinion. By the way, regarding the financial issue, Duran was owed “only” 1 million dollars, while Ray received over 7.5 - an amount that no one had ever earned in boxing before him.

Many believed that Ray would try to outbox the experienced and assertive Panamanian. But, as the battle showed, everything turned out to be wrong. Boxer Ray Leonard accepted an invitation to fight "to the bone", which put himself at a very disadvantage. Still, Ray put up real resistance to Duran. And in the end, he lost on points, and with a minimal gap. A repeat fight awaited both boxers.

Revenge

Another battle between two magnificent fighters foreshadowed something unusual. Their second meeting was a real event in the boxing world, which turned out to be historical.

During the fight, Sugar was calm and relaxed, which allowed him to completely control the course of the fight. At times, Leonard simply openly mocked the champion. Ray didn't fight Duran this time. He, as they say, boxed - he pulled from side to side, dodged, threw multi-punch combinations, sharply broke the distance, which forced the Panamanian to punch the air. In addition, Duran was also too exhausted, because before the fight he carried out a simply monstrous weight loss, losing 17 kilograms. Round after round, Ray increased his advantage. This led to the Panamanian refusing to continue the fight in the 8th round, saying to the sign the phrase: “No mas.”

On the top

After that there were more interesting fights. Ray Leonard moved to the first in 1983 average weight, where he was able to knock out WBC champion Ayub Kalul. However, Ray still returned to the welterweight category. In the fall of 1983, he met with another champion, Thomas Hearns. This fight allowed Sugar to unify the welterweight belts. During the fight, Ray lost on points, but was still able to knock out Hearns in the 14th round. After this fight, Leonard was diagnosed with vision problems, as a result of which he was forced to leave the sport for 4 years, and then return contrary to the doctors’ instructions.

Sugar Ray Leonard, whose fights were always spectacular, continued his winning streak in April 1987, when he managed to win a split decision in a confrontation against. A year later, he fought with light heavyweight Donny Leilound, whom he was able to knock out in the 9th round. Ray finally ended his athlete career in 1997, losing to Hector Camacho, and by knockout. This defeat was the first and last early in his career.

Life outside of sports

These days, Leonard devotes his attention to young athletes by coaching them. He is also often invited to appear on television. He is writing his autobiography. By the way, in his book “The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring,” Ray wrote several very sensational statements that described him as far from “sugar.” So, by his own admission, he used cocaine, was in a serious car accident in childhood, was subject to domestic violence. Without a doubt, the book will be of interest to all boxing fans.

Sugar Ray Leonard. I present to you exclusive material about training, nutrition, fight statistics, and methods of preparing the great boxer for the most important fights of his career against Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, and Wilfred ( Wilfredo) Benitez.

When it comes to the best of the best, the great one immediately comes to mind. Olympic champion. Best boxer of the decade. World champion in five weight categories. The man who defeated all the best boxers of his era. He had incredible charisma and acting skills. An ideal boxer and an example of a successful person after finishing his career.

Best fights Leonard will be watched by many more generations of boxing fans. However, another side is hidden from their eyes, which Ray always talks about in his interviews - the diet and training that made him a great boxer.

Diet: Ray's height is 178 centimeters. Arm span is 188 centimeters. Leonard began his career as a welterweight ( up to 66.6 kilograms), and reached the light heavyweight division ( fight with Donny Lalonde at catchweight). However, his diet remained virtually unchanged. Only the number of servings of a particular product changed. It was hard to catch Ray in bad shape. Even in the offseason, his body looked lean. This is not possible without a well-developed diet.

Ray woke up at 5 o'clock in the morning and went for a run. About 4-5 miles ( 6.5-8 kilometers). He even ran on Sunday.

Upon his return, Leonard drank a glass of water. That's all. Next, he performed air throws and rested before the main workout. Breakfast came only at 10 am: 5-6 boiled eggs, two toasts, and a glass of milk. Immediately before training, Ray was drinking protein cocktail or just ate some fruit ( banana or avocado) with milk.

The training took place from 12:00 to 13:30. Afterwards, Ray drank several glasses of water, took a shower and took vitamins. Half an hour later the second meal arrived. Lunch consisted of a portion of boiled chicken ( thighs, wings, or breast) and brown rice. Or it was modified into a vegetable stew with chicken. Ray ate food without salt or spices. He cut out sugar and drank a lot of water. After lunch, he drank his usual glass of low-fat milk.

The great boxer allowed himself some indulgences. But he didn't do it regularly. Being in shape and at the peak physical activity, a spoonful of honey or dessert were not critical for him.

Ray always trained once a day unless there was a media showcase. The third meal took place at approximately 18:00. If it was in a restaurant, then Leonard would order a simple cut of vegetables ( red pepper, broccoli, tomatoes), without sauce. And if at home, I ate boiled lentils or beans, washing it all down with a standard glass of low-fat milk. Toast was only included in the first meal. During the day, Ray did not eat flour or starch products. There was always a decanter of clean water near his bed. He drank even at night, always supporting water balance in organism.

There were no secrets in the diet of the great Leonard: natural boiled foods, no sweets or fatty foods, and regular adherence to the regime even during the off-season. This is exactly how Ray ate in preparation for the main fights of his career against Thomas Hearns and Wilfred ( Wilfredo) Benitez. This simple scheme brought him success.

Workout: Ray was the perfect boxer without weak points. He had it all: a powerful blow, excellent movement on his feet, excellent reaction, endurance, and the ability to take a blow. He developed all these qualities from early childhood.

Leonard's standard boxing program:

• Jump rope: 15 minutes ( many people came to watch Ray jump rope using various spins and tricks)
• Shadowboxing without time: 15 minutes
• Sparring: 5 to 10 rounds ( As the fight approached, Ray reached 25 rounds per training with different partners)
• Heavy bag: 4 rounds x 3 minutes
• Speed ​​bag: from 10 minutes without a break

Next, he performed an interesting set: lying down push-ups - 20 times, turned over on his back and did crunches - 20 times. He brought the number of such approaches to 7-8 per workout. If he wished, Ray could perform pull-ups on the horizontal bar. Moreover, he performed this exercise exclusively narrow grip (direct and reverse). Sometimes he asked someone from the audience to hold his legs, and he walked on his hands around the hall in several circles.

After training, Leonard spent 15 minutes stretching. At the peak of his form, he could freely sit on the longitudinal and transverse splits, as well as stand on the bridge from a standing position.

Just like nutrition, there are no big secrets in Ray's training. He just does his job regularly. He is a natural talent and was able to develop his best qualities. Simple rules helped him realize his potential and defeat the best boxers of his time: Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, and Wilfred ( Wilfredo) Benitez.

Sugar Ray Leonard is one of the strongest boxers of the 80s, competing in five weight categories (welterweight, 1st middleweight, middleweight, 2nd middleweight, light heavyweight). Multiple world champion in several boxing versions of different years, in different categories, champion of the 1976 Olympic Games, best boxer of 1976, 79, 81.

The boxer's first fight took place on February 5, 1977, the last on March 1, 1997. Ray Leonard's track record includes 40 fights, 36 wins (25 of them by knockout), 3 losses, 1 draw.

A unique sports personality, Ray Leonard entered the world boxing ring “at the right time.” His extraordinary abilities, excellent speed and amazing charisma did their job: the hearts of fans who were deeply worried about leaving the ring legendary Muhammad Ali, again began to beat animatedly at the appearance of a new idol.

Leonard - the fighter of the decade of the 80s - entered it as a champion and left as a champion. Over the years, he was the only one in the history of boxing who managed to become a champion in 5 weight categories!

The athlete gained universal fame in 1976, when the US team won five times for the first time in history. olympic gold at the boxing tournament of the Summer Olympics in Montreal. Leonard also distinguished himself by defeating Soviet boxer V. Limasov in the 1/16 finals, and in the final defeating Cuban Anders Aldamo, who had previously won four matches by knockout.

1977 brought Ray Leonard a gift from his namesake - Ray Robinson (the famous middleweight boxer) - the nickname Sugar (Sugar), which “stuck” so well to the new owner that it became part of his name.

Leonard received his first professional belt (WBC version) in 1979, defeating Wilfred Benitas; but I couldn’t hold him for long. Only one defense followed, after which Sugar met in the ring with the great Roberto Duran and lost to him in a fifteen-round fight.

The boxer bounced back in the rematch, knocking out Duran in the eighth round. Taking the next weight, Leonard victoriously fought local champion Eyoub Kalule, followed by a fight with WBA champion Thomas Hearns, who was knocked out in the fourteenth round.

The next fight almost became Sugar’s last: progressive detachment of the retina of one eye threatened the boxer with blindness and the end of his sports career.

However, despite medical prohibitions, Leonard returned to the ring in 1984: he defeated Kevin Howard and “calmed down” for the next 3 years. The boxer's next appearance in the ring took place in 1987: a fight with Marvin Hagler brought Sugar victory and championship belt in the middle weight category.

Having defended his current championship title four times, Ray Leonard met Canadian Donny Lalonde in the ring. This victory brought Sugar the WBC super middleweight champion belt. Having fought against formidable opponents Hearns and Duran and won two victories, Leonard leaves the ring again. At this moment, the 33-year-old boxer has 38 fights under his belt, including 35 wins (25 by knockout) and a capital of $108 million.

Sugar Ray Leonard's last two "big" appearances in the ring did not bring him any luck. In 1991, he lost a 12-round fight to Terry Norris. And in March 1997, the famous champion fought with Hector Camacho, who knocked him out in the fifth round. This was the first, only and last knockout in Sugar's brilliant boxing career.

Today former boxer trains young athletes, appears on television, and works on his autobiography. Thus, in a book entitled “The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring,” Sugar made several sensational confessions, in some places characterizing him as not at all “sugar.” For example, at one time Leonard used cocaine, was a victim of domestic violence, and survived a serious car accident as a child... The book contains many “exciting” details from the life of a boxing star, and will be of interest to all fans of the famous athlete.

On November 30, 1979, a massacre began simultaneously in Las Vegas and New Orleans. new era in history professional boxing, which lasted ten years and became an integral part of boxing folklore. For the first time in modern history (and by and large, and for the first time in general - if you don’t count short 2-3 year periods), boxing “left” for a long time. heavy weight, turning into lighter, but much brighter weight categories. He will not return to heavy duty until the second half of the 80s, and in full until the first half of the 90s. He will not return until - after a magical voyage to the middleweights - his loyal fans return.

About five outstanding masters who created the basis for a new world order and built it on their fists. Now the meat of the matter begins - their mutual confrontations. Although the champions fought like epic heroes all these ten years, the era itself can be divided into several shorter “eras”, clearly distinguished and separated from each other.

1. Sugar Ray Leonard (USA, 25-0, 16 KOs) – Wilfried Benitez (Puerto Rico, 38-0-1, 25 KOs) – November 30th, 1979, Las Vegas for WBC Welterweight.

Leonard approached this fight as a clear favorite (3/1), which was quite unexpected for many experts. Benitez was a two-time current champion world and, almost universally recognized, one of best boxers protective plan on the planet.

Sugar Ray, of course, was also “not whittled by Papa Carla,” as my good friend says - still Olympic champion and, definitely, the best boxer of that team. But for all his talent, for all the ease with which he crushed his opponents, it still seemed that Leonard might lack experience. It was impossible to buy it from contenders and deflated ex-champions, so “Sakharny” compensated for quality with quantity: for example, in 1979, he fought eight more before the title fight, winning six ahead of schedule.

Benitez, on the contrary, was not particularly diligent in his preparation. To such an extent that his father and, concurrently, coach Gregorio Sr. spoke in the press under the headline “Why Benitez will lose,” saying verbatim the following: “He doesn’t listen to me at all, he doesn’t hear a single word I say. It can be found anywhere - just not in the hall. Even if they pay me $200,000, I won’t second him.” But before the fight, it was his father who was in Wilfrid’s corner.

And it’s not to say that Benitez boxed poorly – no, well. But still, from the very first round it became clear that the bookmakers were right. Leonard acted in an attacking manner, but without forgetting about precautions - in other words, he played as white in this truly chess game. He could afford this, since he was not inferior to Benitez either in speed or in reflexes, but he was greatly superior to him in striking power and, more importantly, in training: Wilfried, despite all his excellent defense, was still an intuitive by nature - and Leonard complemented intuition with skill. As a result, the pure techie lost to the techie with bricks in his fists.

Ray's advantage grew gradually, but already in the third round he managed to send Benitez to the floor for the first time: the “flash” happened after a left jab. Benitez responded with an onslaught in the 5th round and hit Ray well with rights a couple of times, but already in the 6th he had a severe cut above his right eyebrow, actually on his forehead, which did not add to his confidence in his abilities.

Leonard was simply better, while Benitez tried his best but lost the fight. They both hit, but Leonard hit a little more often and noticeably stronger. Ray missed a lot - almost more often than in any other fight - what to do if you fight with a radar - but he also hit a lot. By the end of the fight, Leonard's advantage began to grow, although according to the judges' cards it turned out (it turned out incorrectly) that the gap was small (137-130, 137-133, 136-134 after 14 rounds). At the very end, he sent the Puerto Rican to the floor with a left hook. He stood up, but Filipino referee Carlos Padilla almost immediately stopped the fight. Then they blew on the water - a week before, Willi Klaassen died after a battle with Wilford Scipio. So Leonard became the champion and best boxer of 1979.

2. Roberto Duran (Panama, 71-1, 56 KOs) – Sugar Ray Leonard (USA, 27-0, 18 KOs) – June 20th, 1980 Montreal for WBC Welterweight

After winning the title, Sugar Ray made one defense of the belt (knocking out Dave Green) and just six months after winning his title he went to fight Roberto Duran, the best boxer on the planet, regardless of weight at that time and regardless of the moment. Despite the fact that Duran was the favorite among experts (but not among bookmakers), he was owed “only” $1.5 million - by the way, by far the largest fee in his career. After all the calculations, Leonard received more than 7.5 million for this fight - no one had ever earned so much in boxing before him.

It was assumed that Ray would be able to outbox the skilled but aggressor due to pure talent and “physics”. Moreover, for Duran this fight became the first title fight in the new weight after jumping through weight. However, Leonard did not look for easy ways: just as in the fight with Benitez he tried (and was able) to outbox and crush the pure player, and here the American decided to outplay his opponent at his own game. Against Duran this meant cutting, and only a madman could cut with the Panamanian.

Before the fight, New York Times columnist Dave Anderson asked Joe Frazier, who was sitting next to him, who Duran reminded him of. The question was asked with the expectation that Joe would fall for it and begin to compare the Panamanian with himself. " On Charles Manson"Frazier replied.

Duran fought like a “crazy man”, giving the fight his all. His intensity and passion contrasted greatly with Leonard's sophistication and calmness. By agreeing to fight “to the bone,” the latter put himself in an obviously losing position. However, Leonard gave Durant a real fight. Only a little was missing: on the judges' cards, Leonard (who threw a little less and hit a little less) lost a point, a point and two more, and some even considered him the winner. He proved a lot. But not everyone appreciated it. Here's what the legendary Angelo Dundee said:

“You should never fight by adjusting to your opponent's strengths. You have to soften him, take away his strong qualities, and Ray didn't do that. He tried to overpower (literally) this guy. Duran was Duran, and Ray danced to his tune."

3. Sugar Ray Leonard (USA, 27-1, 18 KOs) – Roberto Duran (Panama, 72-1, 56 KOs) – November 25th, 1980 New Orleans for WBC Welterweight

A correction was needed, because something caused the failure. Leonard, who managed his own affairs, felt that the odd ("weakest") link was Dave Jacobs, who coached him from his teenage days through Montreal gold to champion title. First, he was against an immediate rematch, arguing that Ray needed a couple of recovery fights. Secondly, Leonard reasonably believed that Jacobs had lost the first match against the legendary 82-year-old coach-patriarch of Duran, Ray Arcel, who had entered the elite before the war and worked with such guys as Max Baer, ​​James Braddock and Georges Carpentier. Another person became solely responsible for preparing Leonard. legendary coach- Angelo Dundee.

The fight, like the first one, turned out to be an Event in the world of boxing. Durant received eight million for it, Leonard - seven. The crowd was pumped up, thanks to “Amerika the Beautiful!” performed by Ray Charles himself. The fight itself showed that no correction was needed at all - only the one in the ex-champion’s head.

Having proven his own strength, Ray began to box in a relaxed manner to win and have fun. As they like to say, “revenge is a dish best served cold.” Leonard's calmness and playfulness gradually turned into outright mockery of his helpless opponent. Now Ray did not fight with Roberto, he boxed with him - he pulled, went in all directions, fired machine-gun bursts and went into range, forcing the Panamanian to catch air. The monstrous weight loss did not add to Duran’s joy - it was rumored that he showed up to the gym with an excess of 17 kilograms compared to his fighting weight.

After short-term “successes” in the 5th round, Duran again began to get nuts in the 6th. In the 7th, Leonard imitated a bolo, while he himself, meanwhile, poked his opponent with a jab - in the best traditions of the “Drunken Master” Emmanuel Augustus. In the 8th, things got worse, and Roberto’s pride could not stand it - he said THIS.

In fact, Duran split his career into “Before” and “After.” And the way he spent the notorious “after”, how the main macho of world boxing was able to return to the top after this universal shame - only added color to his legend, making it more humane. What is there! The episode itself became a legend . But then it all sounded different.

Roberto Duran: “I'm leaving boxing right now! I don't want to fight anymore!"

Ray Arcel: “This is it... I made it... It's terrible. I've worked with thousands of boxers and no one has given up this way. I think this guy needs a psychiatrist more than anyone else."

So Leonard became the No. 1 boxer on the planet.

4. Sugar Ray Leonard (USA, 30-1, 21 KOs) – Thomas Hearns (USA, 32-0, 30 KOs) – September 16, 1981, Las Vegas, for WBC/WBA Welterweight

But there was also Thomas Hearns, moving on a course parallel to Leonard. On the same day that Ray defeated Benitez, Hearns defeated Mike Colbert on points in New Orleans, knocking him down 4 times. In the next 8 fights, his opponents did not hear the final gong: 4 times before the title fight (including ex-world champions Angel Espada and Eddie Gatso), 4 times after a knockout victory over long-time WBA champion Pipino Cuevas, including herself.

Ray also did not waste time, warming up first with Larry Bonds, and then going for the junior middleweight title and defeating the strong WBA champion Ayub Kalule there. But the main fight awaited Leonard at his weight.

The fight with Hearns is undoubtedly the peak of Leonard's early career and, at the same time, one of the three peak fights of this era. For the first time, Leonard fought a fighter who was larger than him in size, inferior in technique and hit even harder - all at once. For the first time in his career, Leonard was an outsider to the bookmakers. Having started as a favorite (8 to 5), he became an underdog closer to the fight (7 to 5).

And, I must say, the fight justified the predictions of those who bet on Hearns. Tall and active, he chased Leonard around the ring throughout the first five rounds. Hearns wasn't hitting cleanly, but he was more active and pressed his opponent, and Leonard was too defensive. “Hit him in the belly!” Dundee egged Ray on, and as soon as he obeyed, things went uphill. But by the 8th round, Hearns got his second wind, and now he was beating Leonard seriously. And he beat him several rounds. Leonard began to lose weight, and hematomas began to cover his eyes.

“You’re wasting this fight, son,” Dundee stated after the 12th round. Hearns led on points by such a margin that only a knockout could have saved Leonard. And being great, if not one of the greatest (those that you can count on the fingers of one hand), Ray was able to do it! In the 13th he finally got to Tommy and he was stormed. A couple of falls weren't even counted as knockdowns, but in the end the referee was forced to count out. Hearns barely finished the 13th round, but in the 14th Leonard finally and irrevocably destroyed him.

That, in fact, was the end of Leonard’s era, but no one knew about it then. He would have one more fight, knocking out Bruce Finch, but in May 1982, during a medical examination shortly before the fight with Drew Stafford, doctors discovered Leonard had a detached retina. We know from the story of Orzubek Nazarov what this can lead to. Ray was within his rights to play it safe, and that's exactly what he did when he announced his retirement. As it seemed then - forever...

His era continued without him and lasted another year while Wilfried Benitez fought.

5. Wilfried Benitez (Puerto Rico, 43-1-1, 28 KOs) – Roberto Duran (Panama, 74-2, 56 KOs) – January 30, 1982, Las Vegas, for WBC Light Middleweight

After his defeat by Leonard, Duran, contrary to his words, did not leave boxing, but took a long (10 months) break from performing. Having won two fights on points, he went to fight the new WBC champion in his third weight.

This weight was third for the Puerto Rican. Its resource, despite the fact that Radar was only 23 years old, was coming to an end. However, he was able to recover, warming up in the middle peasants in 1980. In 1981, Benitez first defeated the dark Morris Hope and then defeated the dangerous Carlos Santos on points.

But his true comeback was the fight with Duran. Unlike Leonard, Benitez could not boast of respectable dimensions, nor with a strong blow. The Panamanian had to be beaten in the style of a matador, trying not to get hit in the open. And Benitez pulled it off, delivering one of the best performances of his career.

6. Thomas Hearns (USA, 35-1, 32 KOs) – Wilfried Benitez (Puerto Rico, 44-1-1, 28 KOs) – December 3, 1982, Las Vegas for the WBC Light Middleweight belt

But the fight with Duran was also the last victorious title fight for Benitez. Next in line was Thomas Hearns. The Puerto Rican performed at a level, but “Cobra” performed at an even higher level.

The fight was not easy for Thomas. I had to adapt to an inconvenient opponent who evaded almost all of his blows. Something else was needed besides an explosive blow and wild strength, especially since in the middle of the fight Tommy was injured right hand. And it was his boxing in the second half of the fight, boxing with literally one left that proved to everyone that Hearns was here not only for the power of the blow.

For Benitez, the defeat, even though it was a majority vote, was the beginning of the end. He will still try to qualify for a title fight with Marvin Hagler at middleweight, but the barrier in front of him will be lowered by the Syrian Mustafa Hamsho. Gradually, Wilfried’s affairs began to go worse and worse, and it all ended very sadly - now Benitez cannot provide for his own existence. Sometimes his mind clears up and it seems that he will begin to understand who he once was, but... And yet, those who do not include Wilfrid on a par with other great “middleweights” of that time are very much mistaken. We will not repeat their mistakes.

SUBTOTAL

The Benitez-Hearns fight closed the first chapter of our era - the chapter of welterweights. Leonard went into what seemed like eternal rest, Benitez began to lose, and Hearns and Duran moved up in weight. There, a new system-forming figure loomed before him, which we will talk about next time.

For now, let’s summarize the interim results. Roberto Duran, Ray Leonard, Wilfried Benitez and Thomas Hearns played a virtual tournament among themselves. If we talk directly about the “Era of Leonard” itself, then the situation is as follows:

The following scoring algorithm is used: 3 for a win by knockout, 2 for a win by other means, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. Leonard's advantage is obvious.

The plate can be “normalized” if we take into account the following two points:

In 1984, Hearns knocked out Duran in 2 rounds - we will talk about this fight in another part of the material;

The most likely outcome (and averaged one too) of the two-match Duran-Leonard series, if it had gone through in one fight, would have been a victory for Leonard on points.

And finally, in terms of fees (summing up the fights between Duran and Leonard, in millions of dollars):