Overrated "Great" Fights

You're a damn good poster Sal, but it's either been a very long time since you've seen this fight or you just flat out don't appreciate in-fighting, as what Duran was doing was some of the most impressive work I've ever seen in boxing. Leonard was the one looking to hold on because of Duran's ferocity and clear edge inside, but Duran's skill was so great that he was able to loosen his way out of the clinches and put in effective work nearly every time. I thought it was masterful stuff from Duran, brilliant display of in-fighting technique. When Leonard turned it on it only made the fight that much more exciting. It's probably my favorite fight of all time.

 

The way Duran & Leonard fought that night was remarkable, Duran was almost perfect, his movement, combinations, agression, body punching in round 3-4 are amazing and really got to Leonard. Leonard showed true heart and grit and an ability to mix it with the greatest brawler of all time. The fight swayed this way and that and they both could have fought another 15 round at the end. This fight for once was a super fight that exceeded expectations.

 

... Anyone here live in Washington State? Get over to Sal's place quickly. I think Angelo Dundee broke into his home, overpowered him, and is now writing posts on his laptop.

 

OH YEAH!?

Well...

Well.. Salvador Sanchez was nothing more than a low rent poser!!! YEAH!


How you like THEM apples?





:bart

 

Same. Not even Ferdie Pacheco's hyperbole could ruin the fight for me. It's a masterpiece.

Probably the highest level ever displayed between two fighters (combined) on film.

 

The first time I saw it I actually got a bit bored with it. I was too young and full of beans to appreciate it. But I'll tell you, it is an acquired taste. There are moves that Duran does in there that you just know came right from the minds of those two old birds in his corner and they are beautiful. I'd like to research it someday because some recall fighters and moves from the 30s and 40s. Infighting itself is subtle and tough to appreciate anyway, as you know. In March 1990, everyone in the room with me during Chavez-Taylor were shocked, SHOCKED, when they finally noticed Taylor's face. Chavez was killing him in close, gradually and under the radar.

--Duran's performance was three times as good. The agility, the combinations, the slips and the turns and the angles and the pivots and the counters and the traps, Duran was both mad and masterful in there. It was the greatest fusion of aggression and skill ---"bridled aggression" if you will (bridled with unbelievable, maniacal, skill) that I have ever seen in the ring.

Ironically, Leonard, who was thinking of quitting after that bout, recovered better than Duran. It was Duran who even in those late, great performances that we all love to talk about, was never the same. He never approached that fusion again. Never... and I don't think anyone else ever did. And it required that level to beat the Great Leonard. It is no wonder that Duran would never beat Leonard again... he left that ferocity in Montreal, but took the skill. Duran at his best ....was both. And it required his best to beat Leonard, even if it did not to beat Moore and Barkley.

 

Eubank/BennII is little more than interesting

Gatti/WardII and III were Ok, but nothing compared to Gatti's battles with Ivan Robinson.

Tyson/Douglas had its moments of excitement and of course you had the shock value at the end, but most of the fight was too one sided to be good.

 

Well then don't be shitting on Gatti-Ward I. :bart

 

Hearns-Leonard
Marciano-Walcott
Gatti-Ward
Cotto-Margarito

 

Duran-Leonard I was a brilliant fight. It wasn't quite on the same level as some other great fights for sheer volume of punches and drama. IMO, the quality of Duran's work was clearly the hallmark of the entire fight. His work inside, the third round springing to mind the most for myself, was a sight to behold when he pummeled Leonard downstairs like demon.

And I'm in love with the setup and delivery of his left hook halfway through the 2nd round when he had Leonard all over the place. Beautiful execution of slipping and countering. He circled on the the outside, jabbed to Leonard's body at long range, slipped back to avoid incoming offense, then immediately came back with an overhand right, followed by the left hook/uppercut which had Leonard on ***** Street.

 

Dempsey - Firpo

 

"Duran-Leonard 1" was a good fight with a great decision........ Duran won..... That was upsetting the odds at the time in '80........ Parts 2 & 3 sucked the bone.....

"Hagler-Leonard" was a great achievement for Ray Leonard. But the overall contest was mearly entertaining at best.... No real blood and cuts ever materialized...

I'm not big fans of either "Gatti or Ward," so I was never shocked or creaming my jeans in regards to the trilogy....

I'll think up some more "Overrated" fights in a bit.... Peace.....:deal

MR.BILL:bbb

EXTRA:

"Barrera-Morales" fights 2 & 3 were overrated.... Neither comes close to # 1...

 

The problem with this fight, and a lot of others which have a truly granite chinned fighter in them, is that only one fighter get hurt. Everything was brilliant about this, except Margarito was never bothered by any of Cotto's punches. After a while, seeing clean shots bounce offf his head becomes a bit repetitive.

But I love the story of the fight. Cotto outboxing the slower Margarito, who was struggling to get into his rhythm until half way through the fight. Then after a certain point it became a question of "Will Margarito have enough time to get the job done?" and he did. This basic story of the fight is perfect.

It could have been slightly better, but I think it should go down as a great fight, anyway.