Quote Originally Posted by Violent Demise View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Ron Swanson View Post
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.