I'm sure everyone on here at least knows the majority of the details of No Mas, even if they haven't seen it. But what I'd like to know is, do you think this victory is overrated in favour of Leonard? As far as I can remember, neither fighter did a lot, and the fight was relatively close until Duran quit. Yet some people claim this was a fantastic victory for Sugar Ray. I have no doubts that Ray would've won the fight anyway, but I'd just like to hear some more opinions on this fight.
I remember that the fight was pretty close but Lewonard had another gameplan, he moved much more. However what I think is that makes this fight so spectacular is how Leonard destroyed Duran, taunting him and really made him miss and take punches in the end of the fight before he said those classic words "no mas". Like the commentators said: "if they had put this in a Rocky movie we would not have believed it." It is a great show Leonard puts on against one of the best fighters ever. So yes it is a very spectacular win, in my opinion. The predator
If you do something no one else had done before, it's impressive. It doesn't matter what you liked like until then. He made the "unquittable" Duran quit. That it took him so little real effort to do it should actually make it more impressive IMO.
My view as a fan of both men - Both men fought a good fight, Roberto couldnt get his best & most damaging work done due to Ray`s constant movement, neither man was ever seriously hurt, Duran showed good patience & got in there enough to keep the fight close but I always got the feeling Leonard had control (unlike fight 1) & he was landing the sharper punches. After 6 rds, we had 1 of the best fights in a long time shaping up due to the style clash, 4-2 SRL or 3-3 isnt far wrong. Rd 7 & SRL took the taunting to a new level & won his 1st clear rd, Duran looked bewildered. Rd 8 started a bit slower, neither man taking a risk then SRL gives signs of starting the taunting he did in the previous rd, Duran just turned & said `**** it`... that was that. Leonard deserves full credit as Roberto had never in 70+ fights behaved in this manner.... I think Leonard was on the way to winning a clear but competitive UD, Roberto should at least stayed in there to the bitter end & tried to come up with a different fight plan for the rubber match. The end.
Agreed, but then again i don't think that duran had the same fire and intensity that he had for leonard.
this fight was probably durans biggest mistake but it was also the bravest desicion duran could possibly ever do in his head at that point in time duran thought it would be the most macho thing to walk out of a fight with leonard running and not fighting i dont think Duran was hurt or desperatly losing i just think it was a question of leonard not fighting duran and duran thought it would be honourable to quit
I give Leonard credit where it is due during his career. For sure, he fought a lot of wars, he is one of the best of all time. However, I think he took his 'running away' style too far in this fight. It is an incredibly frustrating fight to watch. I can fully understand Duran's reason for quitting: Leonard was fighting like a *****, and even worse, he had the gall to taunt Duran for it. I've seen a lot of Leonard's fights, and for sure Duran II was by far his most disappointing performance in my opinion. Duran stopped because he though what Leonard was doing was pathetic, not worthy in his eyes to grace the boxing ring. He though men should stand and fight, not keep running away. Leonard most probably had the speed to win on the night anyway, even if he had decided to box 'conventionally'. But I call this one a hollow victory, nothing particularly triumphant.
whatarock was right it was Jose Napoles that why it has smooth as mantequilla above it hes some fighter napoles one of my favourite style wise also StoneRose i dont think duran ever gave an excuse i think he just used Freddie Browns excuse however Christian Giudice says he used the excuse i gave about being the machoist thing toi do
People love Duran so they will downplay the significance of this fight. Leonard made Duran quit, and was winning the fight up until the stoppage anyhow. Great win. Sweet revenge.
Stomach cramps. It's well known that Leonard forced the immediate rematch because Duran had been celebrating his win and his weight had fluctuated badly and Leonard thought he would struggle to get down in weight. Apparently he never said 'No Mas' ('No More') but something along the lines of 'I'm not chasing this clown', because Leonard was running away. To be fair, Duran should've tried to find a way to win. But Leonard frustrated him and was on his way to a points win (although I think Duran had 3/4 rounds on all cards, might be wrong) Good tactics on Leonard's behalf. Duran beating him is more impressive though.