Duran-DeJesus III

[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.