2007-03-01 10:19:02 · 13 answers · asked by zebbie g 2 in Sports ➔ Boxing
Zebbie - Ray Leonard retired because of a detached retina, at that time thought to be an injury that kills a fighter's career. He had to retire, so speculating on whether he would have become a better fighter if he hadn't retired I would have to say no. He would have gotten worse. He needed that time off to have the eye surgery and for it to heal, and more importantly to regain his confidence. he only fought six or seven times, I believe, after the detached retina forced his first retirement. So in the years after that he fought sporadically but brilliantly at times.
2007-03-01 11:22:43 · answer #1 · answered by Brent 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe for a little bit - like the next year... but then it would've been downhill, like it was. Leonard came back in '84 for a fight with fairly unknown Kevin Howard, who knocked Ray flat on his back in the 3rd or 4th round. Though Leonard eventually won the result was disputed. By then Leonard was 28 - maybe not old if you're a heavyweight, but the lighter weight fighters peak earlier and lose their skills quicker.
2007-03-01 17:43:13 · answer #2 · answered by Havick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zebbie ~
I think he peaked in 1980 right before his second fight with Roberto Duran. He wasn't going to get any better. A fighter has only so long at their peak and it's gone and never reached again. Only Ray Leonard knew Ray Leonard's body, who knew what was going on in his head or body.
Thanks for the question Zebbie.
2007-03-01 10:38:46 · answer #3 · answered by Santana D 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Probably not, maybe he could've had a few more good fights but it was smart for him to get out when he did. He had a detached retina which could've cause permanent damage like blindness. He did get surgery on the eye and had some fights after it, but all in all he made a good choice retiring when he did. His legacy was secure.
2007-03-01 13:45:56 · answer #4 · answered by jdp000109 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so Ray already I feel reached his peak. However he was forced to retire because of his eye. Smart man. But I would have liked to see where he couldv'e got to if it wasn't for the eye.
2007-03-03 00:50:29 · answer #5 · answered by idak13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he got every possible drop of skill and physical ability out of his body against Thomas Hearns in 81. So, no, I think he had peaked. But I do think he could have held onto that level of greatness for another 5 years.
2007-03-01 11:35:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fighters are not wine, they don't improve with age most of the time. Once they reach their peak level of performance, father time takes over and the inevitable occurs. Ray peaked in his fights with Duran and Hearns, by the time he got to Hagler his best was behind him.
2007-03-01 10:49:21 · answer #7 · answered by blogbaba 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
leonard was not a boxer. he was another runner hugger bum just like the mayweathers. the only fight he trully won was against the hit man hearns. everything else he was either given preference or was fighting a pidgoen. duran was a real boxer. even after all the crap he pulled he is still the greatest boxer ever.
2007-03-02 07:55:19 · answer #8 · answered by jm4896@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He would have gotten older not better
Only good Wine get's better with age
2007-03-01 14:20:42 · answer #9 · answered by trebor2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so if I recall he had an eye injury wich made it really hard for him to see in the ring.
2007-03-01 10:30:17 · answer #10 · answered by Rick P 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋