My Leonard-Duran scorecard:

I don't keep scorecards. I've seen the fight many times, though. The closest I ever had it was during the first watch, when I was a big Leonard fan and was looking for reasons to give him the rounds. Over 10 rounds I had it 7-3 for Duran. Leonard came on strong during the last 5 and ended up losing something like 9-6 or 8-6-1.

Upon rewatching the fight multiple times, it's become clearer and clearer that Duran was Leonard's daddy that night. Last time I scored it I think I had it 11-4, trying not to give even rounds.

In short, one guy put on one of the best performances in the history of the sport, and you gave the fight to the other guy.:-(

 

I remember watching this fight earlier in the year while I was sitting on a plane, keeping score on a napkin, and I had it 10-5 for Duran.

 

The fight was only close on the scorecards because of the last few rounds. Duran was dominating the fight up until he felt he'd won it on the cards and decided to step off the gas, which is when Leonard came on and finished the stronger of the two. That's what closed the gap, but there was absolutely no doubt as to who won. To give that fight to Leonard is a grave injustice and just flat out stupid.

Although Boom_Boom giving the first Ali/Frazier fight to Ali is just as bad.

 

I called it a draw, myself. Duran didn't clearly win the fight sure as Castillo didn't clearly win the first Mayweather fight. Most people had him winning, but it isn't preposterous to have Leonard closely either. It ranges from about 10-5 Duran to 8-7 Leonard. Your logic on Leonard closing the gap implies that if the judges had made one or those earlier rounds even or given one to Leonard, history would be different. A close fight is a close fight.

 

Well yeah, if you're incapable of thinking outside of the box, I suppose that's true. If you see everything in life like a dog (black and white) I'd agree. That isn't my perception, though. I see the gray area.

There are close fights, and then there are fights that are much closer on the cards than needed be for reasons like this. There are countless examples of fights going that way. One guy clearly proves his superiority before coasting toward the end and losing a couple of rounds in the process, which tightens up the scorecard and makes the fight look a lot closer than it really was. Whitaker did this kind of thing often, notably against McGirt in their first bout. I've even heard some people argue that fight in McGirt's favour precisely because of that. I find it ridiculous.

Duran proved his superiority beyond a shadow of a doubt. You're biased if you think otherwise. That is what matters. He also clearly won more rounds, but I'm not gonna go around in circles on that point.

 

It was a good close fight.

 

I had Duran winning by knockout.

 

It's best to watch this fight with the commentary down low as you'll definetley come away with a clearer view of the fight being won handily by Duran. He was superior in all departments & going on a round by round there can only be one winner & that's Duran with ease. How can anyone in all honesty after watching that fight in all seriousness think for one monment that leonard actually won it or even looked like winning it. He was getting the **** beat out of him round after round & outboxed into the bargain. Just study Leoanrds face in some of those mid rounds & see the distress on it as Duran slipped Leonards lead & smashed away at his body. It was Duran that always had the last word in any exchange.

You must take into account that back then Leonard was the goldenboy & media darling & could do no wrong, along with being touted as the next ALI & Duran was most definetly the "Man in Black" anti-establishment bad *******. years ago i've actually tried to close up my scorecard as it's one of those anomalies in a tough hard fought 15 rounder that the card can end up at 12/3, 11/4, 10/5, thus giving the impression that it was an easy nights work for the victor. As we know this was'nt the case but round by round thats how this fight was in the bag for Duran by the 11th.

On the night it must have been a tough job seperating them what with the non-stop action & fight atmosphere so hence it was a close call, but it was unaminous even at ringside. With the luxury of watching it on tape & disc again & again it's obvious to even the blind that duran was the superior, dominant & more effective fighter of the two that night. he nullified Leonard in all departments, out-thought him, out-fought him & out-boxed him.

This is one of the greatest victories by any fighter in the history of boxing when the challenger is 70+ fight 29year old veteran, 2 weighclass above his glory days & overcomes the natually bigger/faster/stronger/younger favorite by employing a combination sheer boxing brilliance in tactical acuman, aggression & defensive nous.

This fight is 10/3/2 to Duran or 10/5 & thats being generous to Leonard. Never ever ever at anytime in this fight did leonard look like the man who was winning it or was going to win it. This fight was won by Duran fare & square, he had to overcome all the disadvantages & he did it!! & he'd always have Leonards number when both fought on an equal, fair & level playing field & Montreal proved witout doubt who that better man was.

Name me another fight where you've ever seen Leonard hounded & harried across the ring like a baby gazelle being pursued by a hungry rabid Hyena!!!!

 

Too many even rounds. Make a decision.

 

For ****'s sake.

 

I was being sarcastic......

 

You need charisma to successfully pull off sarcasm over the internet. You don't have it.