Leonard's decision to rematch a less than full strength Duran

Yes. First fight was in June, second in November. He called his promoter and asked for the rematch toot sweet (sic).

 

Nice Steely Dan lyric reference (“prays like a Roman with her eyes on fire” — Josie, 1977). Mad props.

They fought 5 months and 5 days after the first fight. Carlos Eleta, Duran’s manager, said he made the fight 3 months after the first fight because Duran had started drinking heavily (and partying) — by making the fight Duran could get back in the gym before he got too far out of shape. He didn’t. His fault.

Funny thing was, Leonard didn’t rush Duran back into the ring. Duran’s team had always tried to keep him busy with constant fights because of his tendency to get out of shape if he didn’t have a fight coming up. This was his longest layoff since he fought Saoul Mamby in early 1976 after a layoff of 5 months, 16 days.

The longer Leonard would have waited, the worse off Duran would have been. If he had made the rematch for January, you think Duran would have rushed back to the gym as soon as they signed it? He didn’t when they originally signed the rematch. And he would have been in even worse shape when he started camp.

Duran’s camp had two choices — take a guaranteed $7.5M to fight the rematch or turn it down and he ends up having to defend a couple of months later anyway and probably is less motivated and in worse shape and he gets upset by some fringe contender like he did when he fought Kirkland Laing.

The whole supposition of this thread rests on Duran actually stopping the party and starting training as soon as it is signed. And if he had signed more than 2 1/2 months out he would have gotten right into the gym and stopped partying and dedicated himself.

It’s a fantasy.

 

He does admit to that a lot. I don't get it. Although he was so obvious in his fight with Lalonde to weaken him , and get Tommy to 164 for their fight. One thing is saying he won, but to say he scheduled fights earlier or wanted guys to be weaker to me makes himself look worse..

 

From reading hands of stone by Christian guidace there was a feeling in durans team that he would balloon up and party his way out of the welterweight title

They made the Leonard rematch quickly to make sure they didnt lose out on their massive payday

I dont think you can just out right blame Leonard for the timing

 

I think SRL looked at the game differently than most.

To him, everything was part of the fight, and winning the negotiation was part of it. It was mental warfare ... he beat you at the negotiating table and then beat you in the ring.

He wanted it ALL, total domination. Including the mental chess game beforehand, including terms of combat. Rather than run from that or act like it wasn’t true, he embraced it.

I bet if you played checkers with Ray he’d work it out so you played on the board he liked, he’d get to choose red or black, what kind of chairs and table you’d use ... then he’d beat you in the game.

 

Everyone knew Duran ballooned up between fights and Leonard took advantage of it.

I always thought it was too soon for the rematch, but Leonard was always a fighter who looked to have every advantage possible, and utilizing Durans penchant for potato chips against him worked well.

 

Then he did nothing wrong, all Durán had to do was stay in shape, you do realize that both fighters must give the ok for an immediate rematch

 

Well past it at 38

 

Thank you

 

I personally don’t buy it ...I think he quit because Leonard got into his head

 

That’s a bold claim to be the biggest Duran fan on this site ...you are in a deep division lol

 

He’s got some Michael Jordan in him

 

What's Leonard supposed to do - check in with Duran weekly and monitor his weight? He's his opponent, not his trainer!

 

I give tons of credit to Leonard's management team, I read years ago that they had people watching Duran and knew his discipline was gone and he was fat as a cow ,staying drunk. Leonard always did have good management,,Duran? not so much, they should have postponed the fight . But, due to Roberto's lifestyle , probably wouldn't have made a difference.

 

So basically Ray was more professional than Duran.