Who do you think was better, and who do you think was greater? I think Leonard is clearly the greater fighter, in that he'd rank higher on a list and I can't really see an argument otherwise; but better is very close. Probably give that to 130lb Mayweather, though.
I honestly think Ray was not only greater but the better fighter. Floyd at 130 comes close to prime 147 Leonard, but Ray was even better. And Ray also had to prove his abilities against stiffer competition.
I don't see Floyd being better. He was admittedly amazing at 130, but he lacked the comp at junior lightweight that Leonard had. The Benitez win can't be discounted. Leonard lifted the welterweight title by more-less dominating a great fighter in his prime. Beating very goods like Genardo Hernandez (past his prime) and Chico are impressive, but doesn't really compare to that. Then you add the fact that Leonard switches strategies mid-fight and walks down the biggest welterweight puncher of all time - that's a feat I don't see Floyd matching. And even if the pro-Floyd argument is that Leonard lost in his prime to Duran - okay, he lost a fight to one of the best fighters who ever lived. Floyd (in the eyes of many, including me) dropped a fight in his prime to JLC - a far lesser fighter than Duran. I'm tellin ya, longevity sure did help Floyd Junior. In the early 00s, he was never considered to be on some Leonard level. He lived in Roy's shadow for a good 6 years.
You're posting here about 4 years too late. If you opened this thread a couple years ago, there is one other guy who would agree with you on Floyd being better.
Leonard has held onto his money. He's damn near 70 and still worth hundreds of millions. Let's see where Floyd is at almost 70.
Nothing to worry about. In the unlikely event Floyd ever encounters financial problems his good friend "About Billions" will be there to help.
I actually think Floyd had a stronger case in the greater category than better. At least with Floyd, he was consistently one of the best (or the best) p4p fighters in the world for an awful long time. Basically from 98’ all the way thru 15’, although he was inactive in 08’ and only fought once in 04’, 09-10, 12’. His inferior opposition and the era being weaker is why Ray generally has the edge in this category, but I think you can at least argue it, if you hold a lot of emphasis on longevity. Ray was never the same after 82’, and fought only 5 more times in the decade. With “better” though, I just can’t see it. Floyd was amazing during his peak, Ray during his 79-82 peak was even better, and easily one of the best we’ve ever seen on film.
Longevity absolutely matters. Head to head and comparing "retirements" it still goes to Leonard though. Ray pulled some of that "A side" bullshit but i don't see Floyd ever going up in weight against the likes of Marvin Hagler period, let alone after years of inactivity. Being basically shot and taking on Terry Norris? Not a chance Floyd takes that fight.
I feel like Floyd vs Whitaker is a closer "Better versus greater" question. I just don't see Floyd in Leonard's league.
I can’t see Leonard needing two tries to beat a Jose Luis Castillo either. A guy like that gets lit up something serious against Leonard.
Greater, Floyd has a case on longevity. Better, Pea all day imo. The 89-93 Whitaker was better than Floyd was over any duration.
100% agreed. Floyd was an exceptionnal talent, but imo, his lack of 1 punch power puts him on a slightly lower level than Leonard. Greater is closer due Leonard career being cut short by injuries but I just can't forget Floyd duck job of Pac. And his record, while impressive, is mostly built on past their prime ot weight drained fighter ls.
