Leonard was doing hardly any effective work in the rematch. His main strategy was to move and clown so as to frustrate Duran. He was barely even ahead on the scorecards. Duran was simply not prepared for the fight. I won't go as far as to perpetuate the whole "stomach cramps" excuse, but he more or less just was not in the right shape, mentally or physically, for that fight. He gave everything he had of himself, both in the lead up to and during, the first fight. That was the apex of everything he'd worked for in his entire career. Afterwards, with not a care in the world, he more or less partied his ass off, balooning up to over 200 pounds, and then being forced to lose it again within a span of the 5 months that Leonard had strategically put in between the 2 bouts. Leonard himself admits that his strategy was to get Duran into the ring at the most inoportune time as possible. Why do others dismiss this? Given the nature of the bout, and what Duran had to endure to even make the weight, it would seem fairly obvious that this was not the same Duran of earlier that year. Not by a long shot. I think that much was shown by how much he fell off just after the Leonard fight. If he didn't have that fire burning in his heart, he simply wasn't the same fighter.
I've never seen so many excuses about a natural Lightweight making 147 as there are for Duran. Partying, poor discipline, or whatever does not excuse Duran's poor performance. Also, no one forced Duran to sign the contract. Duran had built himself up as the bully personality in the first fight (going as far as insulting Leonard's wife and refusing to shake Leonard's hand afterward) and then Leonard fought a better fight 5 months later while simultaneously mocking him. While I don't think Duran would have got knocked out, there's a major knock against his mental fortitude for quitting rather than taking his (likely) defeat like a true champion, as Leonard did in their first fight. I think Leonard gets a bad rep if only because Hagler, Duran, and Hearns have massive fanbases that defend and build them up, and part of building them up for some posters involves, often irresponsibly, tearing Leonard down.
Duran's win is slightly better for my money, but there's not that much in it. But yeah, Leonard's "adjustments" for the rematch weren't exactly taken out of the Willie Pep defensive boxing manual. Most of it was clowning and crude running stuff, which was enough to do Duran in (and it was a weakness he always had), but let's not pretend Leonard "outclassed" him by taking things to another level. The "Leonard fought the right fight" band are the most pathetic IMO.
even if duran's performance in the rematch was a direct result of being out of shape, who the hell told duran to accept the rematch so soon
DON KING Ray Arcel told King that Duran is no where near ready for this fight in November but King said make him ready.....we've invested to much money......Duran trusted everyone around him & they shafted him, nothing new in that + this was his/there biggest pay day of $9MILLION & as long as Duran got into the ring the purse (which had been paid in advance into a Panamaion bank) would be released immediatly) Duran till this day dos'nt actually now exactly how much King recieved.......A lot of Duran's management & people he trusted betrayed him & cashed in there chips with this fight....nothing new in a fighter being used in this way. Leonards camp insisted on this date or they would fight WBA champ Pipino Cuevas instead......Don King agreed with all the demands.
Thats the size of it Leonard ,and Trainer, gave Duran just enough time for Roberto to eat and drink his way out of shape , then pressed for the rematch ,which was finalised before Duran had time to get back into condition. Having said this, Leonard fought a different fight, he did not let machismo overule his brain. He used his strengths ,quickness and boxing ability , to their best advantage ,no more going to war on the ropes ,he used the ring ,and pot shotted, Duran realised he couldnt catch him and that he was being humiliated,so he quit.
Take that **** encrusted Leonard autographed dildo out of yer arse you fistic know ****-all mug Duran outboxed/out fought & out thought Leonard in Montreal & no matter what transpired in New Orleans a peak & fit Duran beats a peak Leonard.......Montreal proved that H2H.....DURAN wins:deal Go watch the ABC Howard Cossel studio interview with Leonard after Montreal & Leonard freely admits too being out boxed & shocked at Duran's speed...........If yer want to beat the best then fight them at there best........how can you claim glory knowing full well that you opponant in front of you ai'nt in the top shape as to when he thrashed you previously:bbb
Looked to me like Ray was well on his way to a win...and why Duran quit only he will really know...but it doesn't detract from the win. Ray may have said he wanted a quick return bout because he knew of Duran's habits...but he also said he fought the wrong fight in Montreal. What do we choose to believe? Ray is entitled to some credit here...I love it how half the Classic seem to hold Leonard accountable for Duran's lack of shape. Comical.
The weight was definitely a factor, but it's pretty obvious that Leonard from the start fought Duran's fight in Montreal. He went against his natural advantages as a speedy boxer and stayed inside all night while Duran banged and banged away. Sugar proved he could stand toe-to-toe if he had to but the failure to employ the right gameplan cost him the fight. The second fight was a rhythm more expected, with Leonard controlling him from the outside and fighting his fight, not Duran's.
No, Leonard fought how he'd always fought up 'till then in Montreal. Duran got inside because of skill.