On YouTube, former 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist and two-division champion “Sugar” Ray Leonard named his top 10 boxers, with #1 being a complete surprise!
No. 10 was former middleweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, 62-4-2 (52), who he called the hardest puncher he had faced.
9 was former four-division champion Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran, 103-16 (70), who upset Ray, who Duran’s fight, not his own, in their first meeting.
No. 8 former five-division champion, Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, 61-5-1 (48), who he said had the scariest right hand he came up against. Surviving his best shots gave him the confidence that he could take a good shot.
No. 7 former four-division champion Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, 40-4-1 (17), whom he contacted after some of his shows, calling him, he had the best skills of the 90s.
No. 6 former world featherweight champion Willie “Will o’ the Wisp” Pep, 229-11-1 (65) was impressed with his defensive skills and feints and footwork that spoke to him about his skills.
No. 5 former heavyweight champion Joe “The Brown Bomber” Louis, 66-3 (52), what he mentioned was how his technical skills impressed him, also how a champion should carry himself outside the ring.
No. 4 Henry “Homicide Hank” Armstrong, 149-21-10 (99), on his training routine and combinations, watching his films before his own fights.
No. 3 two-division champion “Sugar” Ray Robinson, 174-19-6 (109), who he named himself after, surprising him the most, who he took a lot of heat for not saying he was #1.
No. 2 former three-time heavyweight champion, Muhammad “The Greatest” Ali, 56-5 (37) for another one he took a lot of heat for not naming #1.
No. 1 former champion Benny “The Ghetto Wizard” Leonard, 90-6-1 (71) who he took a lot of heat from, even some asking him who he was. Ray said he was the perfect lightweight champion, making him No.1.
Last updated on 12/05/2025
