Leonard-Duran I (1980)

Duran: 8-6-1. Although I did have it 8-4-1 after 13, Duran kinda gave the last two rounds away I feel.

 

I agreed with the wire services that Duran won nine of the first ten rounds. Yes, they were closely contested rounds, but I felt that Duran did indeed have the match sewn up on the cards as they entered the championship rounds. I was paying careful attention to Duran's bruising body attack (the colorless punches which are frequently overlooked) which left SRL's torso discolored, and the fact that Duran demonstrated the superior ring generalship, controlling the tempo and positioning of the two combatants. I don't think Duran dominated the first ten rounds quite as lopsidedly as Holmes did his first ten rounds against Norton, but I still felt SRL had to stop Roberto (or at least deck him), to have a chance at winning after ten. The live wire service reporting during that bout was in sync with Mercante's experienced commentary (supported by Arthur's own background in scoring title fights). As the official scoring revealed, Mercante and the wire services guessed correctly. (As did Duran, after returning to his corner before entering the championship rounds).

SRL was competitive, but even those I knew who were rooting for Ray had Duran taking the scoring.

 

I had Duran by a round, but I've always wondered why no one ever complains about this one. Very close, IMO.

 

Because they got the right winner probably.

 

Close but clear victory for Duran. Can't see Leonard wins this one.

 

Well, ****, I think they got the winner right with Leonard Hagler, but that doesn't stop the endless shitstorm that comes up every time that fight is discussed.

 

Yep. It's a 'bash the media guy' thing. :good

 

Duran not only landed the more meaningful power punches, but he also showed better defense. Leonard done extremely well and held his own through the fight, but Duran was simply more experienced with his aggression than Leonard. He knew the tricks of the trade so to speak.

 

I think Duran edged it 9-6, but I will say one thing Angelo Poletti 3-2-10? Signor Poletti, you are a judge! Scoring two thirds of the fight even is not doing your job properly IMO. Personally I would ban a judge scoring a round even, is virtually impossible for fighters to fight for three minutes and finish dead even.

 

Not to be rude, but anybody who thinks Leonard won that fight can't see what's in front of their front. Duran clearly dominated Leonard. It's really not open to discussion. What should be discussed is how ridiculously close the scorecards were. That was the scandal.

 

The least Leonard should have done, since he was the welterweight, was to keep some of the rounds close. But keeping a round close and winning it are two different things.

 

That Ray was made to miss badly by Duran is a splendid observation to point out. In something of a contrast to their reputations, Duran did indeed look as if he was more in control than the wilder looking Leonard.

 

I've always wondered if it wasn't Poletti's true intention to score ten rounds for Duran. To me, it looked like an interpretive error on Poletti's part. (Then again, I'm not that familiar with his scoring history, so I can't say if he had a predilection for scoring even rounds. If he did though, it seems unlikely that he would have received an assignment like Montreal.)