Leonard vs Duran 1

[RubenSonny]

That's not actually true. A truly devastating puncher would get a guy out of there before an accumulation of punches could wreak such havoc.

Of the two (Benn and McCLellan) McClellan was the more murderous puncher.

There is a belief that part of what damaged McClellan was him dehydrating to make weight. This was not an issue in his previous bouts because he was dusting guys early.

Sometime after the first Jackson fight, Mclellan said he felt the sensation of water being poured on his head, people in his camp, Don King in particular, knew there was something wrong with him, but it didn't show in his fights after because he blew every out in a round. Also he would spar with HWs which obviously wouldn't help. I find it ridiculous when people give Benn credit for that win.

[joseph5620]

That's not actually true. A truly devastating puncher would get a guy out of there before an accumulation of punches could wreak such havoc.

Of the two (Benn and McCLellan) McClellan was the more murderous puncher.

There is a belief that part of what damaged McClellan was him dehydrating to make weight. This was not an issue in his previous bouts because he was dusting guys early.

The ref(who was terrible) also allowed Benn to repeatedly hit McClellan in the back of the head during clinches. Without even a warning.

[Panamaniac]

...What was the general vibe going into this fight in terms of what fighter the experts were picking and how the fight would go? What was your prediction? Thanks.

To the best of my recollection, Leonard was slightly favored. Not only did I expect Duran to win, I predicted his strategy - that he would cut-off the ring on and bull-rush Leonard, as he did for most of the fight, not unlike what Frazier did to Ali at MSG.

From my perspective, the most remarkable thing about the match had little to do with the action inside the ring, but the overwhelming fan support at the arena for Duran, despite the odds against him and Leonard's Olympic history at Montreal. The resounding cheers for Duran and smattering of boos amid the cheers for Leonard during the introductions portended what was to follow.

Pre-fight Anticipation
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A Microcosm of "The Brawl in Montreal"
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[Hands of Iron]

Duran didn't just work Leonard over on the inside, he outclassed him from all ranges. SRL was knocked across the ring most notably twice - in the 2nd and 4th - on a perfectly timed and measured left hook and a counter right hand over Leonard's jab and both shots were from distance. Always felt Duran won that fight thanks largely in part to his superior defense and counterpunching, ironically. It's no surprise he'd get the better of it in-close, but it's the former that made the key difference. If that fight was really the toe-to-toe slugfest people make it out to be, Duran would've been KO'ed cold. Leonard found him impossibly elusive at points, which says a lot considering how fast he could let his hands go.

[Hands of Iron]

Leonard was a 9-5 favorite.

[Panamaniac]

Did fight fans at the time know of Durans condition prior to the second fight. The interview Panamaniac posted on another thread showed him already overweight and this was only a month after montreal.

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[Hands of Iron]

Cosell was a ****ing prick.

[Anthony342]

That's not actually true. A truly devastating puncher would get a guy out of there before an accumulation of punches could wreak such havoc.

Of the two (Benn and McCLellan) McClellan was the more murderous puncher.

There is a belief that part of what damaged McClellan was him dehydrating to make weight. This was not an issue in his previous bouts because he was dusting guys early.

hmm, interesting. Or, I suppose, a truly devastating puncher could do that kind of damage in a shorter period of time after landing a lot fewer punches.

So, with McClellan being a more murderous puncher, was this fight expected to be a slugfest going into it? Was that what most people were predicting at the time? I got a Benn set somewhere, it's one of the few career sets I still have to watch. Sounds like this is one of his best fights.

[them_apples]

Oh okay. McClellan was the guy that went blind, partially deaf and uses a cane and used to be in a wheelchair. Man, now that's a hard puncher to be able to do that to a guy.

benn was a hard puncher but mccellan I heard fudged his medical exam and also received a lot of blows to the back of the head

[them_apples]

hmm, interesting. Or, I suppose, a truly devastating puncher could do that kind of damage in a shorter period of time after landing a lot fewer punches.

So, with McClellan being a more murderous puncher, was this fight expected to be a slugfest going into it? Was that what most people were predicting at the time? I got a Benn set somewhere, it's one of the few career sets I still have to watch. Sounds like this is one of his best fights.

this isnt true, you could have an incredibly hard puncher but if he cant land right hes not gonna put you away.

Then you could have an average puncher he tags you on the chin when you dont expect it who puts you away just like that.