Shakur Stevenson of the US today in boxing makes big claims on his greatness but let’s look at why Sugar Ray Leonard would have beaten him.
Leonard of the US also campaigned slightly above him at 147 pounds but Stevenson has been near there and is not a big argument in this.
Leonard beats Stevenson all day long due to;
- Blinding hand speed that made elite fighters look stationary – Stevenson has never faced that level of quickness
- Devastating one-punch power in both hands – Stevenson lacks the knockout pop to keep Leonard honest
- Willingness to engage and trade – Leonard didn’t just outbox you, he beat you up in the phone booth
- Far superior opposition resume – by Stevenson’s age, Leonard had already fought Duran twice, Hearns twice, Hagler and Benitez
- Chin and heart to withstand punishment – Stevenson’s safety-first style suggests he couldn’t handle Leonard’s heat
- Exceptional ring IQ and ability to adjust mid-fight – Leonard solved problems Stevenson hasn’t even encountered
- Explosive footwork that cut off the ring – Stevenson would have no room to execute his hit-and-run game
- Ability to hurt you with the jab alone – Stevenson’s jab is sharp, Leonard’s was a weapon
- Magnetic, aggressive style – Leonard forced the action instead of cruising to safe decisions
- Mental edge and ego – Leonard rose to the biggest moments; Stevenson has often taken his foot off the gas
Too fast, too good a fighter, too strong, too much power, too much heart for Shakur Stevenson.
Ray Leonard is not doing great these days but remains a formidable fighter in boxing history and beats Stevenson any day of the week.
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