Duran explains why he quit (April 1981 Ring interview)

I don't buy what you are shoveling. When a fighter pulls off an upset, he deserves credit, and that's that. What you claim to have predicted 30 years ago, don't mean **** to me.

 

Actually what's straight forward is exactly what Leonard himself said, which was that Duran forced him to fight the style of fight he did. SRL was pretty emphatic about this so l really don't understand why it's even debatable.

 

Awesome post and your summation is right on. Dundee said what you said he did and the fight unfolded just as you said, and SRL himself verified this whole line of thought. Based on the previous 4 fights each fought, prior to this bout, SRL had a higher KO record and their camp considered him the bigger puncher as well as the bigger fighter, but they soon found out they were wrong about that assessment and Duran both hurt SRL in the 2nd and 3rd round and imposed his style during mist of the first.

 

PernellSweetPea losing all credibility as a poster in this thread with some ******ed logic, and it seems Kool Kev hasn't learned from the first time he was schooled on this subject.

 

Good debate here. Just wanted to add that Leonard explains his gameplan and strategy for the first first just before it actually takes place here:

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Leonard also says here that his plan was for Duran to balloon up and lose focus from day 1:

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I have tried to point this out several times and some don't want to accept it.. This was a very calculated and smart strategy from SRL from very early on. He knew exactly what he was doing and when he was in Hawaii as well.. but, everyone is entitled to their opinion

 

you don't have to buy it. I don't care what means anything to you. Those years are like yesterday to me, and I remember that night he fought him perfectly and what I thought before. I knew it. I thought, boy they are giving him the title and against a guy who beat Hearns, as though he could ever beat Hearns. Barkley lost to Kalambay and to Sims and was an ESPN fighter not long before. Duran had a guy who stood in front of him who was an ESPN fighter in recent years and he could not beat him. They gave him the style he needed. A Hearns rematch 5 years after the first one at 154 would have been disastrous for Roberto and so would Nunn or Tate. Or even Olajide. If Duran deserves credit for Barkley. he should be rated as a champ when Ray beat him every round that same year.. And Hearns knocked him cold in 1984 and Benitez beat him easily over 15 rounds. Give someone credit, but also don't give them excuses when other guys beat him fair and square.

 

I know about boxing and lived that era to the point where I know what I am talking about. If people don't think I am credible that is fine. I think the truth is you guys know I am credible because I speak the truth about an era I know about, and I do not buy the myths about Duran and his training or lack of training. If I didn't know what I was talking about and you didn't think I had much to say, you guys wouldn't answer me. I know I know what I am talking about and you guys do too. Duran was a bit overrated, and deep down you guys know it, if you know the sport. It is hard to think anything else, when other people have told you the excuses and stories for years.

 

The evidence is quite blatent. Some exaggerate the training issues but the training issue's are still based on truth not myth. So you allow Leonard the privilege of excuses but not Duran ? You do realise this whole "Leonard fought Duran's fight" garbage is one of the lamest excuses ever. You hear that **** from the tards on the general and casuals on youtube boxing videos. You won't get any credibility on here if you bring that nonsense up. Kool Kev has already been thoroughly schooled on the subject months back but he keeps posting those pointless clips that don't show you the whole picture. It's embarrassing logic.

What's your thoughts on Duran's all time status ?. What's your top 10 of all time ? What do you think of Durans skillset ?

 

Excellent

 

. Those are two exciting fights too. I especially love the body punching Duran does to hurt and beat Castro in the rematch. Castro was tough. I could ser him hanging in through Hearns initial 4 round frenzy and thrn coming on and stopping a tirrd hurt frustrated Hitman. Either way Duran s fights with him were very exciting.

 

which is two rounds longer than when Duran fought Hearns when Hearns stopped Duran when Duran was at the same weight class. I am not sure. Duran did not fight elites at lightweight. My thinking is a guy who moved like Ray could beat Duran if Ray moved up.

 

Castro did not have Hearns speed or right hand power. People are confusing Hearns at 154 with Castro and Moore at 154. Duran was not even knocked out like Hearns knocked him out 17 years later in 2001. It was because Hearns had speed and power. Hearns was trouble for Duran. Wait on the outside and jab and get Duran when he steps in. Had Hearns not been fast it might not have worked.

 

What do you mean Duran didn't fight elites at lightweight ? I take it you mean ATG's ?
Buchanan and DeJesus were tremendous fighters. Buchanan isn't an ATG but he's arguably a top ten great lightweight. Your hard to please if you don't think the likes of Buchanan and DeJesus were elites. Crazy talk lol.

 

true... BUT.... it has to be drawn to your attention that this happened with arguably his best opponent, not any random car, but the ferrari.

why just the ferrari?