Ray Leonard vs. Mike McCallum @ 154

[Dog Jones]

Who do you got?

[Xplosive]

Leonard's speed and movement would be too much in the end for McCallum, though Mike def gives him a helluva fight.

[Ramonza Soliloquies]

I've got McCallum. It was never a Leonard looking truly comfortable at this weight, & nothing made you more uncomfortable here than Mr. McCallum.

[cdogg187]

he looked comfortable knocking out Kalule

gimme Leonard on points with the skillfull McCallum giving him a tight argument

[Double L]

McCallum. SRL never fought outside his vintage when it counted.

[Hut*Hut]

Is this prime for prime or late 80s? Very different answer in either case. McCallum in fairly dominant fashion in the later case, Leonard probably finds a way to win in his prime.

[Beyond the Grave]

This fight would of been awesome.

[Trplsec]

Leonard could actually win this fight. But I see far more scenarios in which McCallum wins.

Honestly if the Leonard that attacked Hearns from the outset fought McCallum, Sugar would end up stopped late.

If the Leonard that chose to wage war in a phone booth against Duran fought McCallum, again Leonard is stopped late.

If the Leonard that moved and tried to pot shot Hagler, yet languished on the ropes far too often stepped in against McCallum, Leonard likely is on the short end of a close decision.

However, if the prime Leonard that faced Duran in their second fight that looked like a 147 pound version of Ali with a pinpoint jab and footwork that kept the distance exactly in his favor faced McCallum, I can easily McCallum losing on points. He probably makes it close late as Leonard comes down off his bicycle but still loses.

The problem is that Leonard, although very capable of being slick, loved to mix it up. He had an eqo in his younger prime that wouldn't allow him to fight smart like he did against Hagler. Leonard didn't just want to win, he honestly wanted to beat guys.

And at 154 in his prime, Mike McCallum would be the best opponent Leonard would ever step in the ring with. I thought this would be a great fight back in the 80's and I still think it would have been. Too bad McCallum wasn't as popular an opponent as Donnie LaLonde back in 1988. Oh wait......

[Hut*Hut]

Leonard would definitely fight this on his bike. Only way for him to win. But using his speed, particularly his foot speed, I think he could find a way to win a very gruelling one - McCallum was about as good and destructive a methodical combination puncher as there ever was, but he was far from fleet footed. If Ray stands with him he loses and has an unbelievably shitty night. At the times this fight might actually have happened a McCallum stoppage win would be likely.

[Double L]

McCallum would ride over SRL like a tidal wave, and he still may not get the decision.

[Xplosive]

McCallum would ride over SRL like a tidal wave, and he still may not get the decision.

Yeah just like he tidal waved Kalambay.

[Ramonza Soliloquies]

Leonard could actually win this fight. But I see far more scenarios in which McCallum wins.

Honestly if the Leonard that attacked Hearns from the outset fought McCallum, Sugar would end up stopped late.

If the Leonard that chose to wage war in a phone booth against Duran fought McCallum, again Leonard is stopped late.

If the Leonard that moved and tried to pot shot Hagler, yet languished on the ropes far too often stepped in against McCallum, Leonard likely is on the short end of a close decision.

However, if the prime Leonard that faced Duran in their second fight that looked like a 147 pound version of Ali with a pinpoint jab and footwork that kept the distance exactly in his favor faced McCallum, I can easily McCallum losing on points. He probably makes it close late as Leonard comes down off his bicycle but still loses.

The problem is that Leonard, although very capable of being slick, loved to mix it up. He had an eqo in his younger prime that wouldn't allow him to fight smart like he did against Hagler. Leonard didn't just want to win, he honestly wanted to beat guys.

And at 154 in his prime, Mike McCallum would be the best opponent Leonard would ever step in the ring with. I thought this would be a great fight back in the 80's and I still think it would have been. Too bad McCallum wasn't as popular an opponent as Donnie LaLonde back in 1988. Oh wait......

I just never caught onto this idea Leonard was so great in his rematch with Duran. Contrary to popular belief, it was quite the even contest until Duran quit. No one dominated anyone, & Duran, having abused his body, was not the same fighter he'd only recently been anyway. Then, he up & quit. Leonard was barely in front when he did.

[Trplsec]

I just never caught onto this idea Leonard was so great in his rematch with Duran. Contrary to popular belief, it was quite the even contest until Duran quit. No one dominated anyone, & Duran, having abused his body, was not the same fighter he'd only recently been anyway. Then, he up & quit. Leonard was barely in front when he did.

Well, I'd watch the fight again then. Leonard clearly made Duran miss far more. He made Duran chase him far more. And Duran was clearly never able to keep his feet set to throw combinations. The fights were only 5 months apart so it's not like Duran had a shit load of time to destroy his body and zap his skills.


I had Leonard up 4-2 in terms of rounds. He clearly employed a style that Duran wasn't comfortable with and it was in stark contrast to their first battle. And it's that style Leonard would need to use to have a chance against McCallum.

The fights were only 5 months apart so it's not like Duran had a shit load of time to destroy his body.

[Ramonza Soliloquies]

Don't need much time when you have the type of demons Duran had. Ask a junkie if five months is long enough to deteriorate significantly, submitting to your vices. Duran is no different with food. Rapid swings in weight are bad for anyone, but for precision instruments, such as boxers, it's no small thing.

That said, Leonard fought smarter & out-right better, but he has this aura of dominating Duran in the second fight, & it just did not happen to my eyes. McCallum was similar in some ways, but a different kettle of fish at the same time. Leonard would run him close, but he just never hit the same heights at 154, even though he had no real reason not to. I think a lot of McCallum at this weight, though --- I'd back him to beat Hearns, too, so it's no knock on my part against Leonard.

[Trplsec]

Don't need much time when you have the type of demons Duran had. Ask a junkie if five months is long enough to deteriorate significantly, submitting to your vices. Duran is no different with food. Rapid swings in weight are bad for anyone, but for precision instruments, such as boxers, it's no small thing.

That said, Leonard fought smarter & out-right better, but he has this aura of dominating Duran in the second fight, & it just did not happen to my eyes. McCallum was similar in some ways, but a different kettle of fish at the same time. Leonard would run him close, but he just never hit the same heights at 154, even though he had no real reason not to. I think a lot of McCallum at this weight, though --- I'd back him to beat Hearns, too, so it's no knock on my part against Leonard.

Well, my thoughts about McCallum are well-documented. In my opinion he is the best 154 pound fighter to ever walk the planet. So me picking him over Leonard or Hearns is also not a slam to either guy.

Both guys COULD beat McCallum at 154, but if they fought 10 times, McCallum wins more than he loses.