30 for 30: Duran - Leonard

[TitoFan]

If there's another thread on this, Mods please feel free to merge.

I just caught the last half of this hour and a half ESPN documentary, and promptly programmed the DVR to fully record the next available repeat. It was a wonderfully made documentary, IMO, and it took me back to both of their memorable fights. There was plenty of footage and original commentary on both fights. It was cool hearing Howard Cosell calling the fights.

But the most unexpected pleasure was seeing both of them together again... in a boxing ring even. It may have seemed a bit corny to some folks, but I found it awesome and even a bit chilling in a good way. At the end they shared a hug, and it made me think if only we had seen Ali and Frazier do that before the great Smokin' Joe died.

ESPN sometimes gets accused of doing some tacky shit.... but I thought this special was spectacular. Hell.... even got to see a little of Christie Brinkley back in the day (and now also). I didn't know she was such a boxing fan.

Anyway, I highly recommend it to any boxing fan. Some may think it put Duran in a bad light because of the "No Mas" incident. But we all know that Duran went on to humongous and glorious things after that fight. Seeing both of these old guys (Leonard seems the better for the wear) chatting it up together was heartwarming, especially after all the bad blood they had.

[IamInuit]

If there's another thread on this, Mods please feel free to merge.

I just caught the last half of this hour and a half ESPN documentary, and promptly programmed the DVR to fully record the next available repeat. It was a wonderfully made documentary, IMO, and it took me back to both of their memorable fights. There was plenty of footage and original commentary on both fights. It was cool hearing Howard Cosell calling the fights.

But the most unexpected pleasure was seeing both of them together again... in a boxing ring even. It may have seemed a bit corny to some folks, but I found it awesome and even a bit chilling in a good way. At the end they shared a hug, and it made me think if only we had seen Ali and Frazier do that before the great Smokin' Joe died.

ESPN sometimes gets accused of doing some tacky shit.... but I thought this special was spectacular. Hell.... even got to see a little of Christie Brinkley back in the day (and now also). I didn't know she was such a boxing fan.

Anyway, I highly recommend it to any boxing fan. Some may think it put Duran in a bad light because of the "No Mas" incident. But we all know that Duran went on to humongous and glorious things after that fight. Seeing both of these old guys (Leonard seems the better for the wear) chatting it up together was heartwarming, especially after all the bad blood they had.

I still got her first SI swimsuit issue packed in a box somewhere. I still cant believe Billy Joel was....

Lucky bastid.

Cant get ESPN where I live but I'll find this and watch it online.

[Ron Swanson]

I thought it was very poorly done there's just so much more to it other than the typical ESPN contrived emotion but I still loved it. As a Duran fan I've tried to buy all the excuses but no mas. It's so clear that being more of a man than Ray was essential to Roberto. He simply knew he wasn't going to win and he wasn't going to give Ray the opportunity to beat on him. I wish he would just say "I didn't have it that night, that night he was the better man" but he just won't give that ti Ray. Oddly I've always hated Ray because he seemed to have it all given to him. Over the years I've softened on that and I'm getting close to considering myself a fan.

[Violent Demise]

I thought it was very poorly done there's just so much more to it other than the typical ESPN contrived emotion but I still loved it. As a Duran fan I've tried to buy all the excuses but no mas. It's so clear that being more of a man than Ray was essential to Roberto. He simply knew he wasn't going to win and he wasn't going to give Ray the opportunity to beat on him. I wish he would just say "I didn't have it that night, that night he was the better man" but he just won't give that ti Ray. Oddly I've always hated Ray because he seemed to have it all given to him. Over the years I've softened on that and I'm getting close to considering myself a fan.

He was wrong. The fight was still within reach. He was only down by 2 points on 2 cards and 1 point on the other. With 4 rounds to go he a chance.

[Ron Swanson]

I thought it was very poorly done there's just so much more to it other than the typical ESPN contrived emotion but I still loved it. As a Duran fan I've tried to buy all the excuses but no mas. It's so clear that being more of a man than Ray was essential to Roberto. He simply knew he wasn't going to win and he wasn't going to give Ray the opportunity to beat on him. I wish he would just say "I didn't have it that night, that night he was the better man" but he just won't give that ti Ray. Oddly I've always hated Ray because he seemed to have it all given to him. Over the years I've softened on that and I'm getting close to considering myself a fan.

He was wrong. The fight was still within reach. He was only down by 2 points on 2 cards and 1 point on the other. With 4 rounds to go he a chance.

Certainly on the cards it was within reach I agree. But that's not really what I'm alluding to. Not trying to steal any glory from Ray when I say this but I think Roberto knew full well he didn't have it all when he entered the ring. I think making weight hurt him. He went out there to give it a shot, when he tired and Ray made it look so easy in the 7th he knew Ray wasn't going away and he was defeated already. His eyes between rounds had no fire. He willed himself out in the 8th but wasn't going to let Leonard make a fool of him. That's why he wanted the immediate rematch. People think that was about the money but he really wanted a shot when he was at his best. You don't need much money to live like a king in Panama. Dude just didn't have it that night. It would have only gotten more onesided.

[Violent Demise]

I thought it was very poorly done there's just so much more to it other than the typical ESPN contrived emotion but I still loved it. As a Duran fan I've tried to buy all the excuses but no mas. It's so clear that being more of a man than Ray was essential to Roberto. He simply knew he wasn't going to win and he wasn't going to give Ray the opportunity to beat on him. I wish he would just say "I didn't have it that night, that night he was the better man" but he just won't give that ti Ray. Oddly I've always hated Ray because he seemed to have it all given to him. Over the years I've softened on that and I'm getting close to considering myself a fan.

He was wrong. The fight was still within reach. He was only down by 2 points on 2 cards and 1 point on the other. With 4 rounds to go he a chance.

Certainly on the cards it was within reach I agree. But that's not really what I'm alluding to. Not trying to steal any glory from Ray when I say this but I think Roberto knew full well he didn't have it all when he entered the ring. I think making weight hurt him. He went out there to give it a shot, when he tired and Ray made it look so easy in the 7th he knew Ray wasn't going away and he was defeated already. His eyes between rounds had no fire. He willed himself out in the 8th but wasn't going to let Leonard make a fool of him. That's why he wanted the immediate rematch. People think that was about the money but he really wanted a shot when he was at his best. You don't need much money to live like a king in Panama. Dude just didn't have it that night. It would have only gotten more onesided.

Yeah it would of got more one-sided. But I don't think it wasn't that he didn't have it. I think it was more that he hadn't prepared right. Duran always felt he could out fight Leonard in his sleep. And that's what he was expecting. A fight. He trained for a fight. He didn't expect Leonard to box him. That's what threw him off. Duran had dealt with boxers before. He knew how to cut the ring off and break a fighter down. But he hadn't train for that going into the fight. Frustration kicked in. And like you said he wasn't gonna let Leonard make a fool of him. Little did he know things would of actually been better for him if he would of just stood in there for the the whole fight

[IamInuit]

I've probably watched Duran/Leonard 1 more then any other fight save Chacon/Limon 4. I'm not convinced that Duran won.