Leonard-Duran II: What Say You?

[CubanGuyNYC]

Ah poor eye on the ring they've just been made irrelevant now by boxrec adding their personal scoring option. No one's breaking up that boxing info monopoly boxrec has. Although in this case it's good to finally have a central authority on something in boxing.

Agreed. They appear to have a lock.

[QueensburyRules]

Just got done watching Leonard-Duran II. I’m not sure I ever saw it in its entirety, or it was so long ago I forgot what really happened. A lot of people are under the impression Roberto quit because he was being humiliated by Ray. Most wave off Duran’s story that he partied like crazy after the first encounter, put on excessive weight and then rushed to shed the pounds. A minority believe the excuse about an upset stomach caused by eating a steak (or two) right after the same-day weigh-in.

I don’t know if it’s because I knew the eventual outcome, but it seemed to me that Duran had a different energy even before the opening bell rang. He appeared passive. Gone was the infamous fire in his eyes; and in between rounds, Roberto just seemed “off”.

The bout itself was a surprisingly close affair. I scored it for Leonard in the early rounds; but, remarkably, had it 4-2 Duran, going into the seventh. It was in that frame where it appears the legend was spawned. Ray began showboating, making Roberto look a little befuddled. Leonard took the point home, but it wasn’t exactly a big round, either; it was just memorable for the antics. I had Ray up again in the eighth; and would probably have had the fight even after that, if it hadn’t been for the history that would unfold.

Although I’ve seen, heard and read about the moment many times over the years, it was still stunning. There literally appeared to be no reason for Duran’s “No Más” (Roberto has maintained over the years he never uttered those words). Leonard had not even struck a blow just prior to Duran quitting, and the bout was close by any standard.

Here we are, almost 40 years later, and I’m even more perplexed as to what really happened. I always thought Duran was hanging on to an excuse, but now I’m not so sure. He may very well have been telling the truth. It’s either that, or Roberto threw the fight intentionally. I don’t see any other plausible reason. He surely wasn’t being embarrassed or outclassed, as most seem to think, or remember...or think they remember.

- -"No mas"was made up by the officious blowhard Cosell.

What Duran said was "I'm not fighting this clown" with a dismissive wave of his hand.

He had eaten 2 full steak dinners after the weighin and was desperate to relieve that load after chasing chickens around the ring.

Today there'd be an immediate rematch, but not then.

[CubanGuyNYC]

- -"No mas"was made up by the officious blowhard Cosell.

What Duran said was "I'm not fighting this clown" with a dismissive wave of his hand.

He had eaten 2 full steak dinners after the weighin and was desperate to relieve that load after chasing chickens around the ring.

Today there'd be an immediate rematch, but not then.

There’s debate about what Roberto actually said, if anything at all. But it seems fairly certain he didn’t say, “No más.”

I’ve heard Duran himself say he ate a “hot” steak with a cold beverage after the weigh in, and that it didn’t agree with him. Some sources say he ate two steaks. Not even sure it was a full dinner. Whatever the case, I do believe this had something to do with his decision to quit.

[The plunger man]

You're a clown. Where in that video does it mention even a tentative date for the rematch?? Of course Duran knew there would be a rematch at some point, as I stated earlier, in his own words he thought it would be later. Notice how Cosell was trying so hard to discredit Duran while being a luggage carrier for Leonard.

muppet he knew Leonard would exercise the rematch and he New he would need to stay in shape.
If he can’t he is not a dedicated boxer and athlete ****stick.
Yeah Duran was partying and gorging but he also weighed in at 146, Ray Arcel never made excuses and said he was in shape.
The point is gumbo Duran knew he had to face Leonard again and he knew Leonard would want an immediate rematch and in the words of Duran ....yeah just pay the money lol.
W ankers like you who try and make excuses for paid professionals and world champions.

[JK1700]

Weird fight, you’ve got to respect Leonard for switching it up and getting in Durans head, unlike the first fight where Duran did that to him. Whether Duran wasn’t in shape or was just frustrated is not the point really and doesn’t matter. The point is he quit so I don’t have any sympathy for all the crap he gets about this fight. He basically went around beating his chest all the time then straight up quit like a punk even though he was in the fight and barely taking any punishment. Legendary fighter don’t get me wrong, but I’m not willing to give him a pass for that.

[JK1700]

muppet he knew Leonard would exercise the rematch and he New he would need to stay in shape.
If he can’t he is not a dedicated boxer and athlete ****stick.
Yeah Duran was partying and gorging but he also weighed in at 146, Ray Arcel never made excuses and said he was in shape.
The point is gumbo Duran knew he had to face Leonard again and he knew Leonard would want an immediate rematch and in the words of Duran ....yeah just pay the money lol.
W ankers like you who try and make excuses for paid professionals and world champions.

Exactly it’s Durans responsibility to be in shape and ready to fight. It’s not like it’s Leonard’s fault that he wasn’t disciplined and took the easy way out as soon as the fight got tough. These fanboys will make every excuse in the book for their favourite fighters even if it makes zero sense. Like we’re supposed to not count it because Duran could’ve been in better shape, that’s his fault. They don’t give SRL a pass because he fought like an idiot the first time, so don’t give RD a pass for outright quitting which was shameful regardless of any “reason” people try to use to justify it.

[TonyGe]

Maybe you’re right about that. Perhaps Roberto didn’t want any part of it. It’s the prevailing sentiment. I just didn’t see any reason for him to feel that way, on the outside looking in. I thought Duran was doing just fine.

And you’re right again. Who would’ve thought Roberto would salvage his career after that debacle? It’s a life lesson for all of us.

He's one of the best fighters I've ever watched that's for sure.

[QueensburyRules]

There’s debate about what Roberto actually said, if anything at all. But it seems fairly certain he didn’t say, “No más.”

I’ve heard Duran himself say he ate a “hot” steak with a cold beverage after the weigh in, and that it didn’t agree with him. Some sources say he ate two steaks. Not even sure it was a full dinner. Whatever the case, I do believe this had something to do with his decision to quit.

- -My dining info comes from the then NY commish at the weighin and in the dressing room whose name escapes me, maybe Randy Gorden?

Duran charged into the dressing room for a beeline to the pot where the sound and fury produced can only be describe as Duranesque!

[lilmac99]

You're so puerile it's just laughable. Your comment and the way it's written in particular is representative of what the minds of the trashiest low IQ people spew out with no thought.

were youi trying to insult me..Ray crushed duran deal with it!!!

[Skip Bayless]

Duran got frustrated and quit, it’s that simple. He couldn’t land a punch 2nd fight that’s why he quit like a biatch

There was nothing physically wrong with him, ask the excuses he was making after the fight about stomach problems were just excuses