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June 20th, 1980 saw a welterweight classic when Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran sensationally defeated “Sugar” Ray Leonard over the course of 15 rounds for the WBC and Ring Magazine titles. Duran won by a unanimous decision after getting inside Leonard’s head during the pre-fight build up and forcing him to go toe to toe. It was a strategy that suited Duran down to the ground.
But their rematch five months later on November 25th, 1980 saw a much different result! This time, Leonard refused to give Duran what he wanted. A tear up reminiscent of their first encounter. No, this time Leonard used his speed, quickness and reflexes to out-move his opponent and catch him with power punches as he came in. Ray used the ring to his full advantage, making a befuddled Duran follow him but without managing to land much of note. In the 8th, Duran signalled to referee, Octavio Meyran, that he no longer wanted to continue fighting. Leonard, seeing that, thrust his arms into the air in victory, conclusively rectifying his earlier loss.
If we saw the opposite, then Ray Leonard’s career would have been in a lot of trouble. His media boy image would have taken a lot of damage and I could see people thinking that he was not as capable as a boxer that the hype made him out to be. Leonard may have even gone into retirement for a while. This is something he did a number of times in his career, anyway. But with that said, I do envision a comeback of sorts eventually. His ego would never have allowed him to walk away completely. A return would have been somewhat quiet and gradual and maybe even at the light-middleweight or middleweight limit.
And Roberto Duran? If his fights with Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler eventually still went ahead at the times they actually did then I still see the same results. Especially the loss to Hearns. The Tennessee former boxer was simply too tall and had a much longer reach that Duran could never have found a solution for, no matter what. But he would always have been remembered as the man who overthrew Leonard. Twice. And that is an honour that would have been very special for his legacy.
Unfortunately, combatants who often relied on speed and quick defensive reflexes often frustrated the Panamanian. Styles make fights. It is well known in boxing circles that British middleweight boxer, Herol Graham frustrated Duran during a sparring match and made him quit.
Duran liked to have a war. And when he was not given what he wanted he got irritated. Leonard must have known that before the infamous “No Mas” incident. Interestingly, even though Duran turning his back is referred to as that title, he never actually uttered the words “no mas” to the referee. He also blamed his loss on a number of things including eating and partying too much in the months between the two battles.
Whatever the actual reason, November 25th, 1980 did not seem to damage Roberto Duran’s legacy too much. He went on to achieve a lot more and is often forgiven for that sudden decision.
You can’t blame people for doing that, really…
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