Ring 1984: SRL discusses loss to Duran and possible rematch

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mrkoolkevin, Dec 20, 2017.


  1. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

    18,440
    9,567
    Jan 30, 2014
    From an article "Sugar Ray Leonard: 'I'll Be Better Than Ever!'," which appeared in the April 1984 Ring, p. 25.

    "Duran is the only man who ever had any effect on me. He caught me in the midst of becoming better, at a time when I really didn't know just how good I can be. I was unsure of myself in the first fight against him. I didn't really loosen up until the final few rounds. Had I fought like that all fight, I would have beaten him. Now, I'd know exactly what to hit him with. He's very readable. On top of being a stronger fighter now, I'm also a smarter fighter. In my time away, I've studied boxing and all thee guys. I know exactly what it takes to beat each man. I had said I'd never fight Duran again after our second fight in New Orleans. But who ever figured him to come back the way he did? I think he's more than erased him saying 'No Mas!' If he had beaten Hagler, a match between the two of us would have been the biggest thing boxing has ever seen. But next time, I won't just stop him--I'll knock him out!"

    EDIT: He also discusses McCrory, Curry, and Colin Jones:

    "After two or three tuneups, I'll be ready to take back my titles, which have been on loan to Milton McCrory and Donald Curry. I respect both of those guys, but they've had their fun. I'm too strong for either of them. Curry doesn't think I'll be sharp. Wait'll he feels my sharpness. As for McCrory and Kronk, I've already beaten their best man (Thomas Hearns). McCrory had trouble twice with slow, easy-to-hit Colin Jones. I"d chop McCrory right down. I did it to HEarns, so I definitely could do it to McCrory. I'm just too strong for him."
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2017
    mrkoolkevin, Dec 20, 2017
    mrkoolkevin, Dec 20, 2017
    #1
  2. PernellSweetPea

    PernellSweetPea Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,108
    5,694
    Feb 26, 2009
    Ray was in his ego era then, yet Hearns and Duran and Hagler were still active and in big fights while he was not.
     
    PernellSweetPea, Dec 20, 2017
    PernellSweetPea, Dec 20, 2017
    #2
  3. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

    7,803
    13,044
    Oct 20, 2017
    I wish he had remained active after he came back in 1984 rather than re-retiring as he did. There were some good fights out there with Curry and McCrory at Welterweight if he'd stuck around.
     
    Jel, Dec 20, 2017
    Jel, Dec 20, 2017
    #3
    Stevie G likes this.
  4. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

    43,607
    13,010
    Apr 1, 2007
    Sounded like a supremely cocky dude.
     
    Russell, Dec 20, 2017
    Russell, Dec 20, 2017
    #4
    Clinton likes this.
  5. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,714
    3,453
    Jan 6, 2007
    Everyone sometime in life gets a "comeuppance". Post Terry Norris fight, SRL said: "I felt like I was fighting
    my younger self".
     
    Longhhorn71, Dec 20, 2017
    Longhhorn71, Dec 20, 2017
    #5
  6. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    20,176
    6,421
    Jan 22, 2009
    Funny part his egoness said that he would knock Duran out the next time they would fight and even though he won the third, obviously that did not happen. Fantastic fighter, but a ****ing tool. And of course, mentions that he knows how to beat Hagler, but of course, doesn't challenge Marv for three more years, so he would have been more honest if he had just said the way to beat Hagler is to wait until Marv gets old and slow.
     
    Clinton, Dec 21, 2017
    Clinton, Dec 21, 2017
    #6
  7. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    25,073
    8,457
    Jul 17, 2009

    Good points. Ray was unsatisfied with his performance against Kevin Howard but think he eventually realised that it was n't too bad considering he'd been inactive since the Bruce Finch bout two years earlier.
     
    Stevie G, Dec 21, 2017
    Stevie G, Dec 21, 2017
    #7
  8. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

    7,803
    13,044
    Oct 20, 2017
    Exactly. It was a massive overreaction on his part. He was rusty, not shot. I'm pretty sure he would have taken out McCrory if he had had just one more tuneup and then a mid-80s clash with Curry could have been an absolute classic. But what did he decide to do with his talent instead? Spent the next couple of years blowing his money up his nose and getting drunk with sports writers.
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2017
    Jel, Dec 21, 2017
    Jel, Dec 21, 2017
    #8