Roy Jones Jr. left no doubt about where he stands in the fantasy matchup between Floyd Mayweather and Sugar Ray Leonard.
In a recent interview with ATS Fight, Jones declared Leonard the clear winner, citing the Hall of Famer’s aggression and toughness.
“People don’t give Sugar enough credit,” Jones said. “They always say, ‘Floyd would have beaten Sugar.’ No, baby. Floyd wasn’t nearly as mean. Sugar was a dog. Just because his name’s Sugar doesn’t mean he wasn’t vicious.”
Mayweather retired in 2017 with an unblemished 50-0 record, celebrated for his defense, speed, and ring intelligence. He won titles in five divisions, beating stars like Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, and Canelo Álvarez.
His unmatched defensive skills placed him among the sport’s greats. Jones, however, believes Leonard’s relentless style would have exposed gaps Mayweather never faced.
Leonard, a star of boxing’s golden era, also claimed championships in five weight classes. He defeated legends such as Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler, and Wilfred Benitez. His blend of speed, skill, and charisma helped revive boxing’s popularity in the 1980s. Even Leonard once suggested that Mayweather’s perfect record might not have survived in the era of the Four Kings.
Mayweather reacted to Jones’ comments by sharing a video on FightHype that featured Jones’ knockout losses. The clip showed brutal defeats by Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson, Danny Green, and Enzo Maccarinelli.
Silent throughout, Mayweather later flaunted his wealth, showing off his cars, yachts, and lavish lifestyle. The display drew mixed reactions, with some calling it petty and others labeling it classless.
Jones offered his view as a student of boxing history. He argued that Leonard’s relentless style would have overwhelmed Mayweather’s defense. The debate highlights how subjective the concept of greatness remains in the sport.
Mayweather walked away undefeated, while Jones thrilled fans during his peak from 1993 to 2003. His historic heavyweight title win over John Ruiz capped a remarkable run. Many believe that had Jones retired then, his legacy might rival Mayweather’s.
Instead, Jones fought on and suffered losses that dimmed his record, though his prime brilliance still sparks debate.
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