Duran-DeJesus III

[marbleheadmaui]

Well yea i give a pass to Leonard and Benitez but come on Laing wtf happen there dude.

That Duran was already a couple of years removed from his prime. A prime Duran murders Laing

The problem with that line of thinking is Duran had a whole second prime didn't he? I mean from Laing he went on to beat Cuevas, Moore, go the distance with marvin and beat the Blade!

[Violent Demise]

Well yea i give a pass to Leonard and Benitez but come on Laing wtf happen there dude.

That Duran was already a couple of years removed from his prime. A prime Duran murders Laing

The problem with that line of thinking is Duran had a whole second prime didn't he? I mean from Laing he went on to beat Cuevas, Moore, go the distance with marvin and beat the Blade!

Uh no. Duran's last peak prime was over after the Palomino fight. After that it started leaving him. After the 2nd Leonard fight it was gone. Once it leaves it doesn't come back. After 73 career fights how can it? But just cuz a fighter isn't in his prime doesn't mean he can't be successful. His success later on against Moore, Hagler and Cuevas only point to how great the man truly was. And how strong his will and heart are when motivated. When is the key word. A lot of a past his prime fighters continued success comes from fitness and motivation. Since he can no longer do what he once could and his skills can no longer cover up any mistake he made, he must work harder and stay motivated. It's pretty obvious the Duran that faced Laing wasn't in top shape or even motivated

[marbleheadmaui]

Well yea i give a pass to Leonard and Benitez but come on Laing wtf happen there dude.

That Duran was already a couple of years removed from his prime. A prime Duran murders Laing

The problem with that line of thinking is Duran had a whole second prime didn't he? I mean from Laing he went on to beat Cuevas, Moore, go the distance with marvin and beat the Blade!

Uh no. Duran's last peak prime was over after the Palomino fight. After that it started leaving him. After the 2nd Leonard fight it was gone. Once it leaves it doesn't come back. After 73 career fights how can it? But just cuz a fighter isn't in his prime doesn't mean he can't be successful. His success later on against Moore, Hagler and Cuevas only point to how great the man truly was. And how strong his will and heart are when motivated. When is the key word. A lot of a past his prime fighters continued success comes from fitness and motivation. Since he can no longer do what he once could and his skills can no longer cover up any mistake he made, he must work harder and stay motivated. It's pretty obvious the Duran that faced Laing wasn't in top shape or even motivated

I think you and I use a different terminology. I agree Duran was NEVER again at his PEAK once he left the lightweights. But I'm not sure it is possible for a non-prime fighter to fight a top 5 all-time guy 25 pounds higher to a standstill except by being in his prime. I sort of think bt definition it can't happen. I think Duran's greatness is somewhat the result of being able to compete at a world class level (one definition of prime) for what? 20 years? Marcel to the Blade?

[THE THIRD MAN]

Duran reigned supreme throughout the 70's as a Lightweight culminating with his bullish performance over a somewhat over awed Sugar Ray Leonard in their first fight at WW. That was the final time we really saw the Hands Of Stone at his peak, De Jesus was there as Duran's arch enemy at Lightweight and deserves full credit for not only beating Duran once, but competing like no other fighter could against Duran at his peak.

I just re watched Duran V Leonard 1, check out the pre fight ref instructions, Duran looks totally focused, totally committed to what was about to unfold, Leonard looks almost resigned to the fact he will lose this fight, (look for wry smile) He came out flat footed and IMO not prepared for the tornado that was Roberto Duran. Esteban De Jesus did well against Duran because he was not intimidated or scared of him. The stroke of real genius from Leonard after this fight was obtaining a rematch so soon after the brawl in Montreal, knowing fully well Duran would not be prepared. The biggest mistake of Roberto Duran's career.

[Mr140]

Leonard was dumb in the first fight should of just boxed would of won it like the rematch.

[marbleheadmaui]

Leonard was dumb in the first fight should of just boxed would of won it like the rematch.

Leonard wasn't dumb, he fell into a trap laid by Duran. What happened is all that matters.