Give your take/opinions on fights involving Hagler, Leonard, Duran and Hearns.

:good

 

Hagler/Duran- overrated "close" fight. Duran fought fairly well, but if Duran had won the 15th and then gotten the decision, then it would've been a disgusting robbery. Hagler won by 5-6 rounds.

Leonard/Hearns 1- Great fight in terms of skills and shifts in momentum. I didn't have too much of a problem with the stoppage. Maybe it could've gone on a little longer, but I doubt it would've mattere.

Hearns/Duran- Brutal, brutal KO. I disagree with those that name it one of the greatest 1-punch KOs though, because I don't really consider it a 1-punch KO. Duran was down twice in round 1, already hurt before the final punch. As the commentator said, he was "fighting off instinct".

Leonard/Duran 1- The first fight was a terrific brawl at close quarters. When people say "Leonard fought the wrong fight", while I sort of agree, but it's not because he changed for that fight. It's because he DIDN'T CHANGE for that fight. Leonard usually fought flat-footed. Duran 2 and Hagler were exceptions. Duran was excellent at cutting off the ring as well.

Leonard/Duran 2- Disgraceful quit job by Duran. While some discredit Ray because he and his team offered an immediate rematch knowing Duran would party too much, well, what if Leonard had waited longer and Duran had lost a fight? Then it'd take some luster out when people say "oh he waited until someone else beat Duran before rematching him". I give Leonard credit for outboxing Duran and applying successful mental warfare.

 

I disagree. Morales, Pacquiao, Marquez and Barrera have given us a lot of extremly memorable fights probably more than the 4 guys you mentioned

Morales vs Barrera 1,2,3
Morales vs Pacqiao 1 and 2
Barrera vs Marquez
Marquez vs Pacquiao 1 and 2

 

Hagler/Duran-Duran fought a smart, tactial fight and I think Hagler might have had too much respect for Duran in the bout but he still fought well considering. I scored the fight 10-5 for Hagler. It wasn't as close as the judges had it.

I think Leonard/Hearns I stoppage was a tad premature but Hearns seemed spent. I would have given Tommy another 5-10 seconds to fight back. Better too soon than too late though. Classic fight. I think it was the finest performances both fighters put on in their storied carrers.

Hearns/Duran-Just too much fire power for the bigger, stronger, faster champion. A bit like Frazier/Foreman but even more of a mismatch. We saw the result.

Duran/Leonard 1 and 2-Their first fight was probally my favorite of the 80's. Duran at his absolute peak post 135. Roberto was doing everything. Outsmarted Leonard and got under his skin. Ray fought valantly and showed he could mix it up almost as well as he could use his footwork and box but came up just short.

Their 2nd fight Leonard was clearly winning but Duran was competative. Duran might not have been up completely for this one. Still the most confusing fight as far as me figuring out why Duran said "no mas." I had Leonard winning by 2 points when Duran quit. Roberto should have been more patient, stalked, and cut the ring off more.

 

It was definatly a difference in era. There was a much bigger interesting in boxing as a whole back then. You are talking about a time when being the heavyweight champion of the world was the most coveted title in all of sports and boxing was regularly on network TV. That doesn't really make a difference to me though. I could care less about everyone elses interest in the fight.

 

Should've thrown Hearns vs. Hagler in as well. Hagler kos Hearns same fashion Hearns koed Duran, then Duran hangs in there with Hagler when they fight, I could see how it would be moral victory for Duran.

 

Hagler/Duran -Marvin expected Duran to come at him hard and Duran boxed and Marvin who was expecting to box pretty much sparred Duran and won the fight in the end. Not an exciting fight. Had Hagler been agressive he would have stopped Duran in 7 or 8. Leonard/Hearns. a great matchup. Hearns was still not very experienced but he was great and fast and had he been able to fight the last two rounds and stay on his feet he would have won.
Hearns/Duran. Hearns was too fast and powerful for Duran. Both were champions at 154 and Hearns just proved too skilled for Duran who did not know what to do with the speed of Hearns jab and right hand. Leonard/Duran one and two. Leonard fought the wrong fight in the first fight, and still Duran could not knock him out. Then Ray fights his fight in the next fight and is on the verge of stopping Duran and Duran quits and people basically bought a bad excuse.