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

[Mr140]

I don't think Leonard was even prime yet when he first met Duran he was still pretty young guy. I find it funny he fights Durans fight and you could make point that he might of won. But when Leonard fought his way Duran went on to quite always loved Leonard he could box and brawl and had steel chin and when the cards were down he would com from behind to win it. Not to many people can match up to his wins and he won all his huge fights pretty much also a pretty hard thing to do with his line up.

[gest12645]

I agree with the original poster. I remember having Leonard up by 1 point.

[Master]

The only thing i'll add is that for a guy who supposedly fought the wrong fight, he was actually really impressive.

He did fight the wrong fight as the second fight proved.

It was the perception that he was fighting Duran's fight. Agreed it was close.

[johnsebastianmiran]

Leonard made one big mistake and it cost him the fight. He tried to play by Duran's rules in the ring. SR L lost and he lost because he blinked and he was in there with a savvy challenger. I never liked Leonard but he was on the money in their second fight he used the ring like he was supposed to. SR L tried to hustle Duran on his terms if he did what he was supposed to maybe things might have turned out differently but Duran had other plans and no one beats him at his game especially that night in Montreal.

[THE THIRD MAN]

It's interesting that commentators were calling it for Duran by round 12 and that Leonard needed a KO to win in the final rounds? (see Cosell)
I have never heard Leonard complain about the decision, he lost it and then tactically won post fight by receiving a rematch just 6 months later when Duran simply wasn't ready. (He blew up enormously between fights)
Duran should've forced Leonard to wait at least 12 months and had another fight before agreeing to meet again, Leonard was always going to improve after fighting someone like Duran, IMO it was the best thing that happened to Leonard, it may well have been the telling factor in the first Hearns fight when he cameback from the brink of defeat and pulled out an amazing win. You don't fight a decade long champion like Roberto Duran and not learn something. In fact it was Duran who ended up making the mistake in the end.

[Violent Demise]

The only thing i'll add is that for a guy who supposedly fought the wrong fight, he was actually really impressive.

That night he didn't have a choice. Duran was in kill mode. Leonard had no other option. If he didn't fight that way he would of got run over.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

The only thing i'll add is that for a guy who supposedly fought the wrong fight, he was actually really impressive.

That night he didn't have a choice. Duran was in kill mode. Leonard had no other option. If he didn't fight that way he would of got run over.

Exactly! Leonard had balls man, he might of conceded his strategy but he hurt Duran at least 3 or 4 times and clearly was up for a proper scrap. Probably his best fight IMO.

[ICB]

Nope, not even close. Duran bullied him and pushed him around all fight. Leonard just didn't do enough to win. It is Duran's finest moment, he was a clear winner, in fact the scores flatter Leonard. He was beaten before the fight, look at Leonard at the Ref's instructions, he looks unsure, worried and so he should, he was in the ring with a beast and he knew it.

It was close come on it wasn't a wide victory, i think people need to score this again. Yes Roberto Duran was the aggressor but SRL countered very effectively. Hurting Roberto Duran a few times and finishing the fight stronger.

[Beanflicker]

I think you're gonna be alone on this one ICB. I watched an interview with Ray Leonard last night and even he admits he got his ass kicked in that fight (contusions all over his body, pissing blood, ect).

[Mars_ax]

For what it's worth, here are the actual judges scores for the 15 round fight: Harry Gibbs 144-145 | judge: Angelo Poletti 147-148 | judge: Raymond Baldeyrou 144-146.

Duran won by just a point on 2 of the scorecards, and just 2 points on the other, close fight on the cards if you ask me, ICB has a point.

[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.