Not necessarily. I was never a big fan of Leonard but he was one of the best, possibly the best of his era. That said, Duran took the rematch at a time of Leonard's choosing and was using novel methods to make the weight, having ballooned between fights, novel methods that included laxatives. Some think he quit because he BADLY needed a ****. Toughness isn't part of the thinking in such a situation. Some go so far as to suggest that he began the **** just before he quit.
For the truth behind this story see Randy Gordon's account of no mas. Duran was sabotaged by Leonard's camp taking advantage of his weight because they knew they couldn't win it any other way.
Only the Hearns fight can be counted as legitimate since Ray didn't really beat Hagler and needed a jo-jo guerra type from down south to get him a win when he didn't deserve it. Oh I forgot he was fighting an old man who couldn't fight anymore and couldn't lay a glove on any of his sparring partners. Duran had a case of the shits so where does that leave Leonard? Well, not with much but at least he has that nice win over Benitez and Hearns. And a shiny gold medal that he won at montreal. And the picture in the sock..the kind of story that gives Farhood a big hard on. He can also brag about it to his grandkids the fact that he survived a beating from Terry Norris, a 3-1 underdog. He's a grandfather you know.
You and I have been over this ground at length. No point in rehashing. IMO, Leonard was great but I prefer Duran and IMO, Duran was just a shade greater.
Camacho KO 5 Leonard :!: Hearns W 12 Leonard Hagler W 12 Leonard :yep Norris W 12 Leonard :happy Duran W 15 Leonard :hat
I saw the fight live at the time and actually thought that Duran was slightly ahead when he quit. I saw it in a 5000 seat mmovie theatre. There was no feeling by anyone that Leonard was dominating the fight. At the time it was considered a dull fight with not alot happening between two fighters who reslly didn't want to fight. Now watching it its obvious that Leonatd was slightly ahread but it was still a very close fight. I think some people who judge that Leonard was way ahead do so because they know the outcome so it effects their judgement on the scoring. I believe this happens in most fights when people know the outcome.
This is correct , but this isn't the subject, but still , people can't be giving that many even rounds , if any .
That is the point. It was very close despite Duran being weak and having stomach cramps. Watch the interviews on you tube. A doctor verified Duran's stomache ache. There is video of the corner applying some kind of ice pack and Duran expectd a rematch when he was healthier. It is funny how no one looks down at Marcel Cerdan for quitting with a broken shoulder against LaMotta.