The Unthinkable: Duran vs Leonard 2

A completely different Duran than the one from the first fight. I believe that was more of a determination of the outcome than anything Leonard did.

 

Up to Duran vs Leonard 2, wouldn't Esteban DeJesus been considered the toughest fighter Duran had faced, being De Jesus had actually beaten Duran, where young SRL had failed?

 

The result of the second fight was preordained when the fight was signed with Duran partying and weighing 195 pounds. Only the way it ended couldn't have been predicted. Duran should have had a tune up fight to get back in shape but his management wanted the money and thought even if he loses it will set up a third fight.

 

Agreed, everything I've read on this says Duran didn't want the fight, not then, its too bad Roberto didn't tell his management where to go.

 

Copy that

 

DeJesus beat Duran in his fight one, SRL got his butt kicked in fight 1....remember SRL's shameless little 'grin" at the end of Fight 1 knowing he had lost. No one thought Duran would quit....handing SRL the 2nd fight with the scores close. The only big fighters who really beat Duran badly "mano y mano", were Benetiz & Hearns.
Fight scores of SRL v Duran, at time of 'no mas"

• Judge: Mike Jacobs 68-66
• Judge: Jean Deswert 68-66
• Judge: James Brimmell 67-66

 

In a sense Duran robbed Ray Leonard of the opportunity to beat the real Roberto Duran. At his best. Ray got the win and deserved it. That is why Leonard made that lame documentary a few years ago. No Mas probably bothers Sugar Ray more than Duran at this point. Duran had moved on with is life.

Duran is my favorite fighter but I think had they rematched by in top condition mentally and physically Leonard would have won a close fight. He was the better overall Welterweight.

 

That's a compelling theory. It especially makes sense because of how outrageously Duran disrespected SRL and his wife. Eating and drinking himself out of contention and then waiving off the fight as if he were disgusted and bored with it rather than continuing to the final bell I'm sure were, in Ray's eyes, gestures of further outrageous disrespect. Psychologically, Ray probably needed not just to get the "W" but to beat Duran and beat him badly.

I can't decide whether I agree with you that the best SRL beats the Duran of Montreal. I know the accepted lore is that SRL intentionally fought Duran's fight out of vengeful pride. I don't know that I disagree with that version, but I do know that at most I only agree with it partially. I believe that the Duran of Montreal would have had a lot of success imposing his fight on SRL no matter what plan SRL entered with. Having watched the fight more times than my wife could reasonably be asked to tolerate, I think that, even if SRL planned to slug it out, he didn't plan to ONLY slug it out and was often forced into it. I think that always makes for a cruel night for Ray even if he tilts the cards in his favor.

At his best moments, Duran was very, very special (often in some very, very dark ways), and Montreal may be the best example of that. As he ate and drank his way up the divisions, his special moments became fewer and farther between, and SRL possessed an extraordinary degree of excellence and reliability. I just think there were instances where Duran was more than just excellent; he was sublime -- or maybe possessed!

 

Good post. I would never could Duran out when he was focused and in top condition. He was a once in a lifetime talent. Overall he was the greatest fighter I have ever seen live. It`s possible that strategy aside Ray learned and grew by going 15 rounds with Duran. The revenge factor has to be considered as well. So much of boxing is mental. Leonard had so much talent himself and something to prove that second time around.

It would have been a blazing fight.

 

Completely agree.