leanords thoughts on duran

[American_Ninja]

I remember that night in Montreal, Duran entered the ring, when he took his robe off he looked totally different physically than in his previous fight.

I couldn't believe how much he had changed. He was in shape to go 20 rounds. I knew he would win the fight. In the rematch, again he looked different physically. soft was the best description. Leonard looked rock solid. But that's a whole different story.

One thing that sticks out in my mind about Duran, actually 2 things. First, His eyes. If you've ever seen him in person, training, he had the black eyes of a demon, and he looked right through you. The 2nd thing is the sounds he made when sparring. He had a high pitched hmm hmm hmm, that went even higher as he turned up his intensity.

[Left2body]

Dude, right after the Thrilla in Manilla Ali said the biggest overstatement evr in regards to boxing (apart from some I've read here about Tony) "He's the greatest of all times right next to me" or some ****. But then again, he had just been given a terrible beating, so he was definitely not thinking right.

He also said that he was mad tough and ****. Whatever.

You can kinda discount what a fighter says right after a fight because they are almost always gonna try and build up the guy they just beat because it makes them seem better. Its kinda the obligatory "He's a great tough fighter, I just got a little lucky....etc etc.....I will also like to thank God for allowing me to beat up another fellow humanbeing"...LOL.

Anyway I saw Frazier in a show and he was borderline nasty when talking about Ali. There were a lot of antic's that Ali used to promote the fight that I dont believe Frazier ever forgave him for.

[monkeyboy]

Duran is probably my personal favourite fighter of all time. That man just LOVED fighting. When you see someone so gifted but also so suited mentally for any activity it's a thing of beauty.
The fact that he had such a long career just testifies to his will.

[Franko]

That's pushing it a bit too far, he wasn't the same as he was in the late 70's/early 80's, but he was still a terrific fighter.. similar to how Hopkins is now, he's not the fighter he was 5 years ago, but still one of the best.

Marvin Hagler wasn't at his best when he fought Ray Leonard. Leonard knew that and that is why he came back to fight him. I was at a sportsman's dinner a few months back where Leonard was the guest of honour. He talked about Duran in a similar manner to the post on this thread, but he talked even more about how great it was to come back and beat 'Marvellous' Marvin Hagler. He stated that no one gave him a chance against Hagler, but he knew he'd beat him as he wasn't the Hagler of old.
I think coming out of retirement to beat Hagler was a great achievement, however, i still think that the the decision over Hagler is debatable.

[Shanus]

Marvin Hagler wasn't at his best when he fought Ray Leonard. Leonard knew that and that is why he came back to fight him. I was at a sportsman's dinner a few months back where Leonard was the guest of honour. He talked about Duran in a similar manner to the post on this thread, but he talked even more about how great it was to come back and beat 'Marvellous' Marvin Hagler. He stated that no one gave him a chance against Hagler, but he knew he'd beat him as he wasn't the Hagler of old.
I think coming out of retirement to beat Hagler was a great achievement, however, i still think that the the decision over Hagler is debatable.

It was a very close fight, but nowhere near a robbery, you could score it 1/2 rounds either way for either fighter, depending on how you score rounds and who you were watching.. but to say Hagler was way over the hill is an overstatement, that Hagler would still beat any middleweight fighter today.

[kayjay]

Marvin Hagler wasn't at his best when he fought Ray Leonard. Leonard knew that and that is why he came back to fight him. I was at a sportsman's dinner a few months back where Leonard was the guest of honour. He talked about Duran in a similar manner to the post on this thread, but he talked even more about how great it was to come back and beat 'Marvellous' Marvin Hagler. He stated that no one gave him a chance against Hagler, but he knew he'd beat him as he wasn't the Hagler of old. I think coming out of retirement to beat Hagler was a great achievement, however, i still think that the the decision over Hagler is debatable.

You have to give Leonard credit for being honest. Also he admitted that the second Duran fight was bull**** as far as Duran not being ready.

[Franko]

It was a very close fight, but nowhere near a robbery, you could score it 1/2 rounds either way for either fighter, depending on how you score rounds and who you were watching.. but to say Hagler was way over the hill is an overstatement, that Hagler would still beat any middleweight fighter today.

I don't think that Hagler was way over the hill, but he was past his very best by the time he fought Ray Leonard IMO.

[freedom213]

anyone got that 1st fight between Duran and leonard or know where i could dl it?

[shortright]

you lost to a lightweight in your prime, you wouldnt be top ten in my era "floyd mayweather jr"

[hugh grant]

Hagler was no more past his best than SRL was? When you get close matches that go to the score cards you are going to have controversy. Hagler could have been years younger but if it goes to the scorecards it depends how the judges see the fight.
Hagler was a great middleweight. So was Monzon. So is Hopkins. Take your pick of who you think is the greatest.