I have seen the new documentary on the Leonard attempt to find out why Duran said "No Mas" It was pretty clever of him to try and trap Duran into saying something Leonard wanted him to say. Duran did not play along. In the Second fight Leonard did something he NEVER did before or again. He clamored for a quick rematch. he admits he did this because he knew Duran would not be at 100% ( blown up to 200 lbs) In essence, what I see bothering Leonard about Duran, is that deep down Leonard was afraid of Duran, He KNEW Duran would beat him if they were both at their best. He was afraid. And that is why Leonard is obsessed with Duran. He knows that he chickened out. And when he did beat Duran in the second fight... He refused to give a rematch in any decent given time. I think it is clear. Leonard was afraid... and he cant shake it.
Yeah, there's always been talk about the rematch and how Duran was not ready for it. He says he was rushed into a rematch. I think Duran said he was getting hormone injections to lose weight and he suffered stomach aches and cramps in the fight. It's hard to say if he was scared since he was a professional boxer and took punches for a living. But, I think he may have had a bit of anxiety about fighting him again. Just a bit.
This is the 30 for 30 episode. It is very skewed of course by Leonard. Duran took even the second fights victory away from Leonard. [url] This content is protected [/url] Sugar Ray can never say he truly beat Duran. He knows it. And he is desperate to make Duran say he quit because he was.. what..? Not good enough to beat Leonard? That was not the case. It was Leonard that refused to fight fair with Duran... Leonard knows it.... That unease with him will never go away. Sugar was a great great fighter. Duran was one of the top 10 All time. Its no shame to lose to Duran. Even for a Ray Leonard.
Yes, because he admitted as much. But there's no shame in that, back in the day Duran was a bonafide bad ass. Certainly not a wannabe gangster like several fighters I could mention.
Yeah, he definitely was.Roberto intimidated Ray before the fight, and then beat him in the ring.Ray was so scared of Roberto that years later he ran into Johnny Gill's arms for comfort.
I was shocked Ray leonard took that fight so soon in his career. He was only a professional for about 4 years at that point, going into a fight with guy who had over 70 pro bouts and looked indestructible for the better part of the 70's leading into the matchup.
I seriously doubt Leonard was ever afraid of Duran, they came very close to fighting each other, and trading blows for free one time at a press conference when Duran called Leonard's wife a *****, That's crossing the line as far as I'm concerned, but I saw the movie NO MAS, and Leonard needs to just let it go it's been over 30 years since New Orleans, and even an old Duran with the beer belly has moved on so should Ray.... Both Guy's are mostly remembered for the Montreal fight when they were both at their best anyways... One thing that I don't understand is why did Leonard wait so long 1989 for the rubber match??
What a pointless documentary, it's premise was to solve no mas and all it did was rehash all the old myth Durans camp has share of the blame for the quick rematch. His management team thought he was gonna party away his title and implode before having a big fight His camp took the big chunk too
Leonard was nervous ascitvwasva higebfightbfor him very early in his career but not scared. If he was scared he would not of made the right. I enjoyed the doc. I was happy to see Duran looking trim. I also enjoyed seeing Duran in the ring w Leonard and still looking like a bad ass w absolutely no fear in his own cold, hard eyes. An interesting doc.
Its because he was scared. He could not risk losing to Duran again. He waited so late because he wanted Duran to be faded and old, Just like he pushed for the 2nd fight early. everything he could do to get Duran at less than 100%. The amount of time delayed for the third time proves it in my mind, even Duran mentioned it. He said No mas because he expected a quick rubber match, and he would come more prepared. but, Leonard would not have it..... I think Sugar has such a huge ego.... that he cant admit to himself he was not as good as Duran... he just cant... he even said as a fighter, he could never not think he could beat someone. I think that was in an interview about what would happen if he fought Floyd Mayweather prime for prime. Its also the reason he cant put the 2nd fight to rest. He is forever trying to change reality.
Duran asks Ray why he had to wait a decade for a rubbermatch during the credits (1:18:35) Ray starts stuttering with a dumb look on his face and says "it...ih...it was psy...psycholog...psychological warefare....and because i could" [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFhskEk66F8[/url] Coulda, shoulda, woulda, buuuuut he didn't.
He fought him three times, he beat him twice easily, and the first fight could have gone either way. End of discussion.
Leonard comes across as a bit of a ego maniac slime ball at times so would I say scared no , not scared but would he certainly look for all and any advantages he could get yes definitely .
I certainly would be, and one is not necessarily a coward for fearing a fighter like Roberto Duran. The only difference between a hero and a coward, is that a hero "acts" in the face of danger.. But both have fear.
