SRL still big on Mayweather-Pacquiao

Sugar Ray Leonard knows firsthand how the weight of history can illuminate a boxing career.

Leonard says it's that principle above all else that is now pushing the dial of demand for a Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight.

"It's more than just the money," Leonard said Sunday, speaking in an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles. "Because the money will be there. It's the legacy."

Leonard said the dynamics of the potential bout -- beyond the fact time is running out for both fighters -- has tilted of late, giving Mayweather the likely upper hand.

"They should fight," Leonard said. "Now they're leaning more towards Mayweather. Because at first it was 'We don't know who's going to win the fight' -- like Tommy Hearns and I, like Hagler and I, like Duran and I.

"But that fight would be huge."

Pacquiao next fights Nov. 22 against Chris Algieri, whom some expect to be a worthy opponent. Mayweather has two fights left on his six-fight Showtime deal, after which he plans to retire.

Leonard said mystery still surrounds his second bout with Roberto Duran, the so-called "No Ms Fight" of 1980 in which Duran stopped fighting during the eighth round.

Duran has said he quit because he was suffering from cramps as a result of overeating before the fight.

"He ate too much, a professional fighter? Huh?" Leonard said in the TV studio interview. "I don't think so."

Leonard said the sport was still waiting on a genuine explanation from Duran.

"And eventually we'll get it," Leonard said.

Of course, only Mayweather and Pacquiao can ensure similar mystery doesn't cloud their legacies.

"I think fans are starving for excitement," Leonard said. "Fans are starving for competition, evenly matched fights. But it would be huge."