Duran of Montreal vs Leonard of the rematch

I didn't score it that thoroughly, just had MAB as a clear winner.

 

Physically speaking, SRL was in the same tip-top shape for both fights of 1980 with Duran. That is factual.. Meanwhile, Duran was not the same physically for both fights... Duran barely made weight for the rematch and was heavy right up to the weigh-in... Duran was weak, but still capable of kicking someone's ass in the ring, just not SRL's ass...

Leonard totally switched-up on tactics down in New Orleans. Leonard showed more bounce and spring in his legs over the first 4 rds of the rematch than he did for all 15 rds in Canada, plus Ray never allowed himself to be pinned on the ropes, either...

Duran would not have beaten Leonard in Canada had Ray boxed and jived like he did in New Orleans...

In truth, Duran only beat Leonard in Canada by a close shave verdict... Had Leonard opted to stick and move more and not stand and trade, Leonard prolly could've picked-up a couple of key rds and at least retained his crown on a draw...

Leonard could've won in Canada had he applied the proper tactics and strategy against Duran.....

MR.BILLbbb

 

Yes, green in that he did not know the whole game, and a Ray Leonard who does not know the whole game is not 100 percent Sugar Ray Leonard. He learned from the first fight to fight his fight always.

 

Addie, no I didn't say I am not an advocate for Duran's ATG credentials, I said I am not an advocate for him being 1-5 ATG. There is a difference. He is great, but not 1-5-which would be a fact if he beat the Hearns,Benitez,Hagler and Leonard rematch. 1-5 is a pretty lofty position to be in.

 

Again I said Duran was not 1-5 ATG because he didn't beat any other greats except Ray Leonard. Barkley beating Hearns is offset by all the greats Tommy beat. The fact is Tommy beat Cuevas when he was champ, Benitez for his second title at 154 ( a guy who outpointed Roberto) and then stopped Roberto in what should have been a unification. Then he beat Virgil Hill 11 years after his first title, beating him at 175 pounds. A guy who was undefeated and had 10 title defenses. If Duran moved up and beat a guy 30 pounds over his first weight title -who was undefeated and had 10 title defenses you tell me. I don't think he did.

 

I agree, I also think that he always won before stepping in the ring by getting a out of shape boxer (Duran) or a ship worn boxer (hagler) in the ring. :good:good:good

He did KO a prime Hearns when all things were equal and got a draw in the rematch, even though SRL was past prime and Hearns was still prime.

Duran > SRL > Hagler > Hearns

 

I actually knew Duran would beat Barkley the moment I heard the fight was signed. That is the truth. A year or two before Barkley fought Hearns he was really an ESPN fighter. He lost to Robbie Sims and Sumbu Kalambay, and was knocked down by Olajide. I cannot see how beating Barkley is really the same as beating an ATG like Leonard did. I like Barkley, but to say that win was great is overrating it. It was a good style matchup for Duran. Also after Duran, then Barkley lost a few months later to Nunn rather easily and then a year later to Benn in a first round stoppage. Barkley's only real claim to fame is that he beat Hearns. He is a gutsy fighter and I like his style and heart, but fact is he really is known for beating a legend,

 

Duran out of shape against Leonard in the rematch, then he said he was out of shape for Benitez and then Hearns. Anytime Duran fought great fighters he was out of shape.

 

Duran could not deal with lateral movement or speed. Barkley had neither. He stood in front of Duran and that was Duran's fight. A perfect style for Roberto.

 

That is overrating Barkley a little The 6-1 monster could not beat Kalambay before Hearns and Nunn and Benn after. Knocked out in one round against Benn.

 

Just that clip right there shows why Duran could beat Barkley. Barkley throws that second jab short and then leaves his arm down and Duran counters. When did Duran ever counter like that with a legend? Tommy would have double jabbed at the same time and landed both times with speed and landed his right hand and dropped Duran. Easily. Benitez would not have been hit. Barkley was right there for Roberto. Duran was lucky to get a perfect style for a title fight. Look at this clip you put up here. Do you see Duran posing for a a couple of seconds against Barkley. With Hearns he did that same thing and got hit clean. Had Duran fought Hearns on this night he would have been stopped early again. It is the same Duran, just with a guy who was not great.

 

Yeah I see your point there, do you think he would have beaten Hagler if he was in shape?

How do you think Hearns would have gone with a prime Benitez, do you think he goes the distance?

 

The rules are different for Duran. He does not have to beat the greats like other guys. All he has to do is go the distance with them and he gets credit for a win.

I think Benitez at 154 was his best weight in many weights. Fighting two legends and going the distance with both. More experience and confortable. He easily outclassed Duran at 154 when Duran fought at 154 as far back as 1978. Compare that to Hearns and Benitez and Ray fighting at 154 later.

 

re-read the thread.

 

watch the hagler fight, and leonard I.