See Duran's first fight with Viruet. Obviously Leonard was a far superior fighter than Edwin, but not when he was fighting like that. As far as I'm concerned, we saw the best of both men in the first fight. Duran emerged victorious and showed his superiority. I don't buy the apologist's whole "Leonard fought the wrong fight" cliche, especially when those same people turn a blind eye to the circumstances of the rematch and their consequences on Duran. And I laugh silly at the people who claim Leonard was in any way "green" in that fight. Watch Leonard's fights (Price, Ranzany, Benitez, and Green) leading up to Duran and tell me with a straight face that he was green.
Definitely. Leonard looked simply sensational against Ranzany, Price, and Green. I didn't really see any evidence of Duran being out of shape for the rematch though, since you brought it up.
Well, as far as conditioning between the two fights in Montreal and New Orleans, only Duran was different. Leonard was in great shape for both fights, however, he applied two different game plans amongst the two fights. Point is, even a well tuned 145 pound "Montreal" Duran would prolly drop a 15 rounder to "New Orleans" Leonard based on style and fight plans. Duran basically beat Leonard in Canada cuz Leonard fought Duran's fight. If Leonard got off from the getgo with boxing, circling, in and out and applying angles, Duran would fall behind on points and lose tghe decision. Leonard can't KO Duran.... Duran proved he could take the power of Ray..... MR.BILL
The Leonard camp signed for the rematch so quickly because they knew Duran would party his ass off and not be in shape only a few months later. They were correct and made a great tactical decision. And the fact is that Leonard was only leading by a point or two at the quit job. The bottom line is that you had two all time great fighters who would have traded victories in repeated match-ups. Given that both are in top shape, nothing is a given in regards to the results. Still, at that time, my money would have been on Duran.
I've got to take Duran. He was too hungry, too determined. Montreal Duran was so unrelenting in his attack, Leonard wasn't allowed the luxury to box and move. Duran by UD again.
Leonard totally switched-up on his mental and tactical approach for part # 2 down in New Orleans.... Stylewise, Leonard boxed Duran in a manner in which Duran was unable to cope with from a guy who was naturally bigger and faster.... Leonard was really in his zone in round 8 and was in the process of taking over and schooling Duran with boxing.... MR.BILL:hat
:blood Viruet doesn't have close to the footspeed, handspeed or reactions, beating Viruet doesn't prove he can handle Leonard playing the same game Yes Leonard did fight the wrong fight or you could say he adapted to Duran's style. He did adapt his style for the rematch did he not?Duran couldn't get close to him from the beggining or anytime for that matter and I don't see how any version would have the speed of foot to do so
Duran wins again, Leonard "fights the wrong fight" again because Duran pins him at the ropes, takes away his reach advantage, and swarms all over him. This content is protected
Leonard defo wasnt green in the 1st Duran fight, thats just ridiculous I agree with you, he was prime as can be. However he never boxed & used his feet & jab as much as he could have, he traded far too much, when I say use his feet Im not talking like he did in the rematch or vs Hagler, Im talking basic movement to keep out of Duran`s range, he moved more vs fkn Dave Green... those who claim that Leonard tried his best to box smartly but was simply overwhelmed by Duran arent really being truthful with themselves & are giving Duran too much credit IMO. The commentators were even saying SRL was fighting the wrong fight in the early rds, long before it was clear SRL was gony lose.... now that he has lost its seen as a made up excuse that Leonard fought the wrong fight. Duran was in better shape for fight 1 obviously but its his own fault just like it is Leonard`s own fault fighting the way he fought in fight 1.... they went 1-1 in their primes, Leonard lost a close fight & Duran was en route to losing a close fight until he submitted. The Leonard of fight 2 beats any version of Duran IMHO.