The great Sugar Ray Leonard coming back to face Marvin Hagler is part of boxing’s staple of great history. Atlas discusses below.
It was the anniversary of the fight and respected boxing trainer and coach Teddy Atlas remembered the fight fondly.
Speaking on his podcast Atlas said:
“Yeah I mean it was just a great comeback. Coming back and fighting a guy of Hagler’s caliber. That alone would have been a great thing. But to win it after being away from the ring for over three years. I think it was three years. Somewhere around that time.”
He added:
“And to come back and jump in with a guy who back in those days didn’t have official pound-for-pound listings but would have been if not at the top of that list right there near it. To come back after three years off and not just three years off.”
He went on:
“Because it’s one thing to have time off if you’re a guy who doesn’t depend on reflexes, speed or those kinds of elite talents that get greatly diminished by time off and inactivity.”
Ultimately Leonard pulled off a split decision win at the time in Vegas in 1987.
Bringing an end to what was a seven year run from Hagler at the top of middleweight world boxing back then.
People forget that and also the fact Leonard was coming back from eye surgery and so much time out of the ring.
It shows how special Leonard was as a fighter to this day.
An unbelievable fighter.
One of the greats.
