Ray Leonard 146 lbs beat Wilfred Benitez 144 lbs by TKO at 2:54 in round 15 of 15
Date: 1979-11-30
Location: Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Referee: Carlos Padilla
Judge: Harry Gibbs 136-134
Judge: Art Lurie 137-130
Judge: Ray Solis 137-133
WBC World Welterweight Title (2nd defense by Benitez)
Promoter: Bob Arum (Top Rank)

Notes
Benitez was the World Boxing Council Welterweight Champion, and Leonard was the WBC No. 2-rated welterweight contender.
The fight was televised live in prime time on ABC. The telecast also included Undisputed World Middleweight Champion Vito Antuofermo's draw with Marvin Hagler and Marvin Johnson's knockout of Victor Galindez to win the WBA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Leonard was a 3 to 1 favorite.
Benitez's purse was $1.2 million, and Leonard's was $1 million. At the time, this was the richest fight ever between two fighters below the heavyweight division.
Gregorio Benitez, the father and trainer of Wilfred Benitez, wrote an article titled "Why Benitez Won't Win" that appeared in the November 1979 issue of The Ring. "He has not listened to anything I have told him," The elder Benitez claimed. "He would rather be out somewhere—anywhere—than in the gym." Gregorio was so "disgusted" with Wilfred that he said, "Even if they gave me $200,000 to work in the corner, I would not." However, he ended up working his son's corner for the fight and later claimed he didn't really believe Wilfred would lose. "If I say he is going to win, then he no work," he said.
There was a capacity crowd of about 4,600 at the Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion.
Unofficial UPI scorecard: 139-129 Leonard; Unofficial KO Magazine scorecard: 137-128 Leonard.
On ESPN Classic Ringside: Sugar Ray Leonard, historian Bert Sugar said the Wilford Scypion vs. Willie Classen fight, which took place one week before Leonard fought Benitez and resulted in the death of Classen, was probably in the back of Referee Carlos Padilla's mind when he stopped Leonard-Benitez with only six seconds to go. Leonard responded, "I don't question that."

In a close, tactical fight, Leonard would ultimately score a technical knockout with only six seconds remaining in the 15th and final round. Leonard would score the only two knockdowns of the fight, first sending Benítez down on the seat of his pants with a well-timed left jab in the third round. The second would come in the 15th round. With Benítez behind on the scorecards, he fought aggressively though Leonard was able to hold his ground and go toe-to-toe with the champion. With 30 seconds remaining in the round, a Leonard left uppercut sent Benítez down on his knees. Though clearly hurt, Benítez was able to get back up and continue, but after Leonard landed two more punches, the referee would stop the fight and Leonard was named the winner by technical knockout at 2:54 of round 15. At the time of the stoppage, Leonard was ahead on all three of the judge's scorecards with scores of 137–133, 137–130 and 136–134

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