Does Anyone Else Think SRL Beat Roberto Duran In The Brawl In Montreal ?

[THE THIRD MAN]

I watched it again on the weekend, it's Duran's finest moment alright. Leonard simply didin't do enough. He was out of the fight by round 12, he won some rounds for sure, but at best it's a 10-5 or 9-6 result for Duran. The official scoring was close because i believe Leonard was penciled in to win at all costs, he was the prohibitive favouirte going into the fight, many thought he would knock Duran out! He was more marketable for the future, (as far as i know Duran can't speak english) Judge Angelo Poletti's scorecard has been labelled a monument to indecsision (what was bothering him?) it makes me wonder about No Mas even more now? A rematch arranged so soon? Duran blew up some 40 -50lbs post Montreal fight and Leonard knew it. Duran received $8million for the 2nd fight, what was his care factor now? Why did Duran just quit mid fight with two judges scoring 66-68 and one 66-67? that is a close fight. Has anyone thought of the possibility that Duran just didn't want to go through with the sham in the 2nd fight? Or did he simply have the shits?

[Mars_ax]

I watched it again on the weekend, it's Duran's finest moment alright. Leonard simply didin't do enough. He was out of the fight by round 12, he won some rounds for sure, but at best it's a 10-5 or 9-6 result for Duran. The official scoring was close because i believe Leonard was penciled in to win at all costs, he was the prohibitive favouirte going into the fight, many thought he would knock Duran out! he was more marketable for the future, (as far as i know Duran can't speak english) Judge Angelo Poletti's scorecard has been labelled a monument to indecsision (what was bothering him?) it makes me wonder about No Mas even more now? A rematch arranged so soon? Duran blew up some 40 -50lbs post Montreal fight and Leonard knew it. Duran received $8million for the 2nd fight, what was his care factor now? Why did Duran just quit mid fight with two judges scoring 66-68 and one 66-67? that is a close fight. Has anyone thought of the possibility that Duran just didn't want to go through with the sham in the 2nd fight? Or did he simply have the shits?

It's pretty simple, Duran ballooned up to over 200 lbs and partied his ass off on that 1.5 mil after the first fight. I believe he drained himself trying to make weight for the second fight, and also simply wasn't ready for what Ray brought to the dance in the rematch. Duran quit because he knew he wasn't up to the task, and he also knew he was going to be humiliated if the fight continued. That's my 2 cents.

BTW, for what it's worth, despite the close scoring, I agree, Duran was clearly the better man in Montreal.

[Master]

Why was the fight in Montreal? Tax reasons?

[Mars_ax]

Why was the fight in Montreal? Tax reasons?

Leonard returned to the Olympic Stadium in Montreal to defend his title against Duran, because that's where Leonard had won a gold medal, in the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Duran only received $1.5 million for the 1st fight, and Leonard, working for a percentage of the closed-circuit gate as well as a guarantee, received over $9 million, I guess Ray got the last laugh, especially in the rematch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Ray_Leonard

[Manju]

Leonard won even though he lost the fight. Going toe-to-toe was a self-created drama providing a win-win scenario for him. Even if he lost he would gain the rep of a warrior.

I think the saavy SRL knew this and I believe him when he says he contemplated doing the same for the Hagler fight. But Duran was smaller and coming up to Leonard's class, so he made for a better bet.

Leonard's sense of drama is a big part of what makes him great. I can see him manufacturing some.

[Galaxy]

Haven't watched the fight in ages but I had Leonard winning