don't be absurd. I'm not getting into it because it takes too long. I've broken this down for years on here. Lokk up my posting history if you want my break down, This content is protected
Saying someone fought the wrong fight as an excuse for a lose, is the lamest excuse of all. The better combination of speed. skill, and determination wins, no matter what style you fight. Name any fighters who ever changed their style and changed the outcome of a rematch? It doesn't happen. I have asked this before and people try to name some, but its always garbage. They say things like Ali changed his style for the 2nd Frazier fight. Hogwash he did. I personally think Leonard was better ffighter in the first fight when he lost to Duran, then he was in the 2nd fight. Surprised people don't see this. Both fighters looked great in the first fight, neither looked to good in the second fight. I think they both had trouble getting back to peak in just 5 months after the war they fought in June.
I agree with all this to a large extent. I've probably been guilty of some of that hogwash and garbage too, though.
When I saw this fight,the weekend after it actually happened. I remember thinking that this could be the fight of the decade,and the 80's were only six months old ! By New Years Eve,1989 my opinion remained the same.
I cant believe it was 31 years ago. I remember it like yesterday...Duran hit his peak that night and it was down-hill after no-mas but he still hit some high notes after wins over Moore,Cuevas,Barkley and competitive vs Hagler but being caught cold by Hearns and out-boxed by Benitez...he had some lows but for one of the best 135lbers ever he carried his greatness with him although sporadic at times
If completely agree.If I happened to have been around at the time,and had I happened to be following the sport,I would have been incredibly disappointed to see a much hyped,much anticipated superfight,between the two best fighters in the sport,develop into a glorified wrestling match.Thank god for the rematch,though,eh? Now there was a superfight that actually lived up to it's billing.
I saw it in a pay per view theatre, and it was jammed packed. people were really into it. I always rememeber some obnoxious Leonard fans sitting right infront of me screaming Sugar Ray constantly leading up to the fight. When Duran pummelled Leonard for the first 5 rounds they tried to keep it postive by saying he is proving he can take anything Duran can dish out. ( not a good thing in boxing ). Towards the end of the fight they were totally silent. It was great. I wanted Duran to win very very badly, but thought Leonard was going to. The pay per views were really exciting back them. And that one was the best of them all easily. One of the greatest sporting events ever, with probably the most skill in the ring of any fight ever.
I don't know why Duran quit. If it was because he had to take a poo like Gorden said and backed up, not sure why that would be a lame exuse. I am sure basketball players ans football players have had to go to the locker room because of that. If he had cramps as bad as he said, again not sure why thats a lame excuse. I have seen athletes in other sports have to come out of games for that.
People really need to stop perpetuating this myth that Ray Leonard lost to Duran because Roberto challenged his manhood and made him fight the wrong fight. Seriously.
So Leonard gutting it out for a close loss whilst making a clear tactical error in neglecting to use his best attributes ie superior mobility,speed,size etc is a lame excuse? Then we hear Duran quitting half way through a fight whilst not at all hurt because he reckons he has a tummy ache or needs a **** is perfectly valid??? Then again we've been hearing for years that his losses to Benitez and Hearns don't really count either as he wasn't motivated/didn't train for those guys as they didn't inspire him,yet contrarily he gets himself "up" for the likes of Moore and Barkley as an example of his awesomeness. Duran fans eh?atschatsch
in light of how easily Ray beat Duran in the rematch and rubber match, and how Duran lost easily to Benitez, this looks like it is the case absolutely that it was Ray's fight plan which helped Duran win. If you use speed and you are a legend you usually beat Duran.