Sugar Ray Leonard and Wilfred Benitez fought on November 30, 1979, in a highly anticipated welterweight championship fight. Leonard was the reigning WBC welterweight champion and was considered one of the best boxers in the world at the time, while Benitez was a former WBA and WBC light middleweight champion who had moved up in weight to challenge for the welterweight title.
The fight was held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and was watched by a record-breaking crowd of 30,000 people. Leonard started strongly and dominated the first half of the fight, using his speed and quick footwork to land numerous combinations on Benitez. However, Benitez managed to hold on and began to gain momentum in the later rounds, landing some powerful shots on Leonard and causing him to become visibly tired.
In the end, the fight went the distance, with Leonard winning by a unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 145-141, 147-137, and 146-141 in favor of Leonard. Despite the loss, Benitez was praised for his tough and resilient performance, and Leonard was impressed with his opponent's skill and determination.
The fight between Leonard and Benitez is now considered a classic bout and is often cited as one of the greatest welterweight fights in boxing history. It marked a turning point in Leonard's career, as he went on to become one of the sport's all-time greats, while Benitez continued to be a tough and respected opponent throughout the rest of his career.
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