The ever-humble boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard has named one of his legendary former rivals as the ‘perfect boxer’.
Leonard had an outstanding amateur career which culminated in him walking away from the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal with a light-welterweight gold medal.
He would go on to achieve further success in the paid ranks which resulted in him winning world titles in five weight classes, including the undisputed welterweight championship which he captured with a victory over Thomas Hearns back in 1981.
Another legendary rival that he crossed paths with during his career was Panamanian great Roberto Duran, who handed the American superstar the first defeat of his tenure in June of 1980.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Leonard spoke fondly of Duran as he claims his former foe was good enough to be regarded as the ‘perfect boxer’.
“They didn’t give Duran the credit he deserved. He was a little guy who got into the ring with the big guys and was still knocking them out. He was an incredible boxer – maybe the perfect boxer.”
‘Hands of Stone’ defeated Leonard by unanimous decision when they locked horns in the first bout of their trilogy, claiming the WBC world welterweight title in the process.
Leonard got his revenge in their rematch just a few months later however, forcing Duran to quit in the 8th round of what would go on to be known as the ‘No Mas Fight’ which took place at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Their third and final encounter came in December of 1989 and it was Leonard who prevailed once again, defeating Duran by unanimous decision to successfully defend his WBC world super-middleweight title.
