Classic Boxing Matchups - Volume I

#1 (1981) Sugar Ray Leonard vs. (2005) Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather

What a matchup this fight would've been! The pretty boy vs. The sugar man. Leonard took after the name of the classy and original 'Sugar' Ray Robinson. Leonard's ability to fight with such a flashy and dashy technique reminded audiences of Robinson's era in years past. Ray Leonard was a wonderful specimen; lighting fast hands, reflexes, B+ jaw, fast feet, awesome punching power and charismatic grace.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. now carries the torch for pound-4-pound greatness. Mayweather is at the top of his game; each fight separating himself even further from today's era of fighters. Floyd himself produces lighting rod capabilities; crowd-pleasing performances, quick hand speed, ring brilliance along with decent power and chin. Floyd seems to get better with every performance and has yet to give a lackluster showcasing of his god-given talent.

Weight Class: Welterweight

"Who'd win?"

(1981) Sugar Ray Leonard vs. (2005) Floyd Mayweather

Ht: 5'10 5'8
Wt: 147lbs 147lbs
Reach: 74 72
Rec: (30-1) (36-0)

Both Leonard and Mayweather are thorough technicians who systematically break down fighters at every inch. Though I give this prediction with a huge lump in my throat; in fear of Mayweather fans waiting for me out in the parking lot. I believe Ray Leonard would've edged Floyd Jr in a 12 round classic boxing matchup.

Ray Leonard UD12 Floyd Mayweather.

#2 (1985) 'Marvelous' Marvin Hagler vs. (2005) Bernard Hopkins

If you were to analyze quite closely in between this 20-year span, it would appear that both Hagler and Hopkins seem very similar in some sort. They're both often criticized harshly and not given much credit for their ring savvy, shrewd business men and the 2nd letter of their last names are both vowels. Hagler shredded opponents up with every ounce of blood & sweat to prove what his supremacy is today. Marvin, a persistent southpaw, would pound away on his opponents until they eventually fell over.

Bernard, 6 months shy of his 42nd birthday never ceases to amaze the boxing public. At an age considered 'too senior citizen like' for the sport of boxing, Bernard recently retired at age 41, with 20-middleweight title defenses and an embarrassing victory over Antonio Tarver at Light Heavyweight. Many couldn't argue this thought; It takes true discipline and craft to fight at such great stature and honor at the ripe old age
of 41. A dream to fight at 41 for any man isn't a grab too far out of reach. The question is can your body sustain such punishment for so long? Bernard's frame could, and he deserves much acclaim for that.

"Enough chatter! Who'd win?"

Weight Class: Middleweight

(1985) Marvin Hagler vs. (2005) Bernard Hopkins

Ht: 5'9 6'1
Wt: 160 160lbs
Reach: 73 73
Rec: (60-2-2) (39-2)

A Bernard Hopkins victory wouldn't surprise me one bit. Hagler was without a doubt a middleweight who would've given any middleweight of any era problems. Bernard himself would've had problems to some extent; it wouldn't have been easy. Marvin's relentless pressure might see to it that Bernard is against the ropes at times. But at the end of the day Hopkins would be too slick, too great defensively and too intelligent to try trading at center ring with a fighter of Hagler's caliber.

Bernard Hopkins SD 12 Marvin Hagler.

#3 (1974) Muhammad Ali vs. (1986) 'Iron' Mike Tyson

We arrive at challenge three; a matchup that has been talked about for ages. Ali's ring science vs. Iron Mike's destruction. In an era of flashy gold chains, creations of inner-city hip hop and muscle cars, Mike Tyson ruled the 1980s. Just 10 years shy of his throne, Muhammad Ali remained 'a never forgotten' image of what boxers saw in the back of their minds as they arose to the top. Ali, floating and pretty as ever. Tyson, destructive and dangerous as ever.

Tyson was 'out for blood,' an instant box office attraction. Many of us remember following in love with him at the first sight of his carnage. He'd instilled fear in just about every fighter that stepped inside the ropes with him. At 5'11 and only 215-220lbs he was one of the smaller heavyweights of the modern era, yet, he seemed to have a punch that could be heard galaxies away. The age-old theory surrounding this future hall of famer when compared to any fighter of yesteryear, "If Tyson catches him, he's gone."

Muhammad himself was a high-praised fighter with his long dancing legs that frustrated his opponents out of rhythm. He was a fighter who could likely be agreed as; athlete of the year, athlete of the decade or athlete of the century. Even those in particular who weren't too fond of this violent sport knew who Ali was. His charismatic ability in and out of the ring gave him an appeal that audiences found difficult to resist. By mid 1974, 10 years after his first title grab from Liston, Ali was boxing's perfect ring scientist. He could figure opponents and come up with an effective strategy to interrupt their gameplan. Not to mention, his own style in return was hard to figure, hard to conduct a gameplan and the most unpredictable.

"So… who'd win?"

Weight Class: Heavyweight

(1974) Muhammad Ali vs. (1986) 'Iron' Mike Tyson

Ht: 6'3 5'11
Wt: 220 220lbs
Reach: 80 71
Rec: (44-2) (27-0)

As physically intimidating as Tyson was in his prime, I am afraid that wouldn't have worked against Muhammad Ali. If Sonny Liston himself couldn't frighten Ali out of his gameplan, Tyson's antics wouldn't have worked either. Without a doubt, the first few rounds may belong to Tyson as Ali momentarily plays possum to figure out a gameplan.
Into to round 5 however, Ali's ring science would kick into high gear and he would figure a way to shut down Tyson's rampage. Mike gets frustrated out of his gameplan and Ali wobbles Tyson around in the 12th enough for a late stoppage.

Muhammad Ali TKO12 Mike Tyson

#4(1969) 'Smokin' Joe Frazier vs. (1919) Jack Dempsey

As a fight fan, you couldn't ask for a better matchup! Both Frazier and Dempsey possessed high-energy work rates that you couldn't get out of many fighters in the sport today. Frazier was nasty to deal with; he'd chase you around for 15 rounds and beat on you until all the fans left the arena. His stamina was by far one of the best in the game and his left hook, incredible! Dempsey was just ruthless; he couldn't wait until that bell rung to tear fighters a new one. Every punch he through was vigorous and his cold-eye stare was enough to make a fighter cancel a title shot.

Jack Dempsey, one of boxing's shadowed figures; highly populated love-hate type fans, very few who adapt to his personality and his attitude of kill or be killed. Ironically, in many boxing conversations Dempsey's name is barely mentioned. Perhaps, many boxing fans of the new era feel they are too many years off from what Jack Dempsey once was, a mauler. A 'Manassa mauler' to be exact. He deemed it HIS boxing ring; daring competitors to come close to him and put up any sign of fight. Similar to Tyson, Dempsey was a brawler and could instill fear in a fighter just by eyeing him with his stare. Jack's fight attitude and suicidal punching power was enough to keep any combatant of any era a tad nervous; staring across into his unshifting eyes as the ref gives his final instructions.

'Smokin' Joe sure could smoke! Frazier was typically known as a slow starter who would 'come on' when opponents would 'turn off.' In his era he's battled some of the divisions toughest big men; giving up only 4 losses, 2 to both Ali and Foreman. His stamina, his chin and his blistering left hook was a punch that many fighters couldn't help but obey too. Frazier would pin fighters against the ropes and clock them crazy with left hooks to the body, head and arms.

"Ok, ok. Who'd win?"

Weight Class: Heavyweight

(1919) Jack Dempsey vs. (1969) 'Smokin' Joe Frazier

Ht: 6'1 5'11 1/2
Wt: 190 205lbs
Reach: 76 73 1/2
Rec: (58-4-11) (23-0)

One thing about this contest is for certain; both men are coming to fight! That's the purpose for this classic matchup pick. Both Frazier and Dempsey aren't the kind of guys who back down, dance around or play games. They're not boxers and they don't play chess in the ring; they fight! Blood would spill out all over Madison Square Garden as the two fighters fight tooth & nail. It'd be a quick blaze, both men guns loaded - all out shootout. This is a matchup that Dempsey would've no doubt won by KO. No disrespect to Frazier, but his slow starting pace is tailor-made for a fighter like Dempsey who begins at the first bell. Frazier may have one of the most dominating left hooks in history, but Jack carries one of the most dominating forces known to man in boxing history. Period.

Jack Dempsey KO6 12 Joe Frazier

#5 (1978) Roberto Duran vs. (1998) 'Sugar' Shane Mosley

Nothing soothes the soul like some good ole lightweight attraction. After Shane Mosley made his 1993 debut it wasn't long before Mosley climbed the lightweight ranks, capturing his first title and winning 8 straight defenses all by knockout. 1998 was Mosley's top year at lightweight form. For Duran, yet another vicious mauler from Panama City, Panama, he was simply invincible! He'd pounce on fighters, waiting for them to collapse from his sheer power. Not to mention he may be the only fighter in history to ever compete in 5 different decades!

Mosley was fast, deadly, powerful and strong for 135lbs. He didn't exactly present much of a physical intimidation gig, but his skill level and hand-speed backed up his soft-spoken voice. Arguably one of the best lightweights of his era, there weren't many fighters at 135 who could lick 'Sugar' Shane. Mosley possessed quality skills that saw him just snatch the souls out of fighters who stepped in the ring with him. Those impressive skills backed by his solid defense would've made him an incredible fighter to reckon with in any era.

By January of 1978, Roberto Duran had already racked up an impressive record of 62 victories with only 1 defeat. Forget about the "No Mas" rematch with Leonard, forget about the back to back losses to Hagler and Hearns, Duran was sensational! There's no question concerning his lightweight supremacy and the 'glow' he left the division to remember for many years to come. His punches would cast thunderbolts as he struck with vengeance.

"Who would win?"

Weight class: Lightweight

(1978) Roberto Duran vs. (1998) 'Sugar' Shane Mosley

Ht: 5'7 5'9
Wt: 135lbs 135lbs
Reach: 66 74
Rec: (62-1) (29-0)

Many may disagree, but when you factor in Shane's prowess and technique vs. Duran's aggressive nature you'd come out with an incredible blend of high impact punches being thrown; Shane's sharpness vs. Duran's power. Theoretically it would be a grueling tug of war that could go either man's way. The fact that both fighters can dish out so much and take so much in return would label this matchup an all time classic. Both fighters at their best - slugging away. There's a possibility this fight could be a 3-fight trilogy with one fighter emerging 2-1.

Fight 1: Duran UD12 Mosley

Fight 2: Mosley UD12 Duran

Fight 3: you tell me…

Stay tuned next time for volume of Classic Boxing Matchups.