Is it a lock no matter how good you are.. Someone will have your #?

[them_apples]

I somewhat agree with you on what you're saying. However, it was his ability to fight in various modes that made him successful depending on the fighter he fought. He grew as a fighter as he gained experience and fought very smart. I think he does deserve credit for twice avenging his loss to Duran. And, it's not Leonard's fault Duran came in underprepared in the second fight. I don't know about the Cosell thing, but Sugar Ray will tell you himself he used the wrong strategy in the first fight.

I just made a thread on this. It's bull****.

If anything is was more Duran not being in shape than SRL changing his style.

[fight_professor]

Despite the series record Norton/Ali and Marquez/Pacquiao would be good examples.

Deffo.

Love Ali, but truth be told, Kenny probably won that third fight.

[Sugarj]

Yes, yes he did win clearly, It was hardly by a hare's whisker, the fight was obviously competitive but I personally can't see how Leonard came close too winning the fight or even a draw. No way the cards should of been that close.

Going by scorecards though, Leonard was only winning the 2nd fight by 1 or 2 points on all 3 cards by the time Duran quit, you don't think a Duran in the same shape and with the same attitude as the 1st fight would do more then he did while out of shape ?, because that would leave the fight in at least a draw, no ?.

You and myself are not professional judges. Duran rightly won the first fight, but it looked close to me and thats how the three judges saw it. There have been plenty of threads here in recent years about the fight. Most see it as close, but definitely a Duran victory. There are plenty of more knowledgeable historians than you or I that feel that Leonard vs Duran was a close fight. I'm glad the right man won, thats all that matters.

I personally think the dancing elusive Leonard from fight two does decision the Duran from the first fight. It'd be close though.......very close again. We're talking about two of the best pound for pound fighters of all time, close to their primes. But the more elusive, fleetfooted gameplan was vastly superior to Leonard's strategy first time round. I think it'd be enough to clinch a decision.

Remember, the first fight would have been declared a draw (however unfairly to your eyes) if only two judges scored one Duran round even each. Thats how close it was.

[Scott9945]

Deffo.

Love Ali, but truth be told, Kenny probably won that third fight.

And I had Norton losing the second fight by only one point.

[Mintcar923]

I just made a thread on this. It's bull****.

If anything is was more Duran not being in shape than SRL changing his style.

I guess the truth hurts certain people for whatever reason. I mean, it's not very difficult. SRL did ADAPT to fighters and he DID modify his style depending on the fighter he fought. He clearly stood too flat-footed in Duran I and a bit too much later against LaLonde. Whereas in Duran II, III and Hagler he danced and moved. In Hearns I and II he seemed to use both styles. Everyone knows Duran was not in shape for fight II. But, I still believe Ray would've beaten him convincingly even if he was. And, Roberto looked in pretty good shape for fight III. Even though both were somewhat past it at that time I think it still counts.

[Sugarj]

I guess the truth hurts certain people for whatever reason. I mean, it's not very difficult. SRL did ADAPT to fighters and he DID modify his style depending on the fighter he fought. He clearly stood too flat-footed in Duran I and a bit too much later against LaLonde. Whereas in Duran II, III and Hagler he danced and moved. In Hearns I and II he seemed to use both styles. Everyone knows Duran was not in shape for fight II. But, I still believe Ray would've beaten him convincingly even if he was. And, Roberto looked in pretty good shape for fight III. Even though both were somewhat past it at that time I think it still counts.

The other amusing point about Duran 3 is that every one says that Duran was far further from his prime than Ray at that point. its actually arguable that Duran looked better against Berkley than Leonard did against Hearns.

Its also Funny that Leonard never won another fight after Duran 3, whereas Duran fought pretty well for over another decade putting in some decent performances!

Duran did not like Leonard's style when Leonard was more mobile whether it was 1980 or 1989!

[theproof]

every fighter has someone who has their number. mostly in preparation for a fight in sparring making them think they can beat a champion but it's different in an actual fight. i like this thread you put up bro. would like fighters to respond about opponents who had their number by being HONEST!.

[rightsideup]

how close were the duran/ viruit brothers fights? These fighters were defined as cute runners as was camacho. By the way I may be baised but I agreed with Ray Leonard when he said Duran got robbed in the first camacho fight. My favorite fighter is Duran but I think Ray did have some hold on him from a mental point of view after the no mas Debacle. Ray did seem use Duran as a measuring stick though. I really think he saw marvin hagler was not invincible based on Durans performance against him and made a comeback against Camacho based on Durans Performance as well.

[SBleeder]

IAnd, Roberto looked in pretty good shape for fight III. Even though both were somewhat past it at that time I think it still counts.

If by "somewhat past it" you mean "more shot than Ali was against Berbick" then I'd agree with you as it relates to Duran.

[New England]

nope.


it's all dependent on who you fight. if there's nobody out there who can touch you at your weight class then they wont have your number


sure, if you age or head north to fight larger men you might find somebody who has your number, but if you are good enough and your competition (or soft matchmaking) is bad enough it's not going to happen.