Roberto Duran vs Ray Leonard II

With 16 seconds remaining in the 8th round, Roberto Duran turned away from Sugar Ray Leonard and refused to continue, surrendering the WBC welterweight championship in one of the most unexpected endings to a major title contest. Leonard was declared the winner by technical knockout at 2:44 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on November 25, 1980. There had been no knockdowns, and Duran was still within reach on the scorecards. The ending came after Leonard had frustrated him with movement, quick punches and, increasingly, deliberate mockery.

The rematch followed Duran’s unanimous points victory in Montreal on June 20, when he had taken Leonard’s championship over 15 rounds. Duran entered the return with 72 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws, 56 by knockout; Leonard brought 27 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws, 18 by knockout. Both weighed 146 pounds. Promoted by Don King, the contest carried reported guarantees of $8 million for Duran and $7 million for Leonard. A crowd of 25,038 produced a gate of approximately $3 million, while closed circuit screenings carried the contest to a much larger audience. Before the opening bell, Ray Charles sang “America the Beautiful” in the ring.

Leonard made his change of approach apparent early. Rather than remaining available for prolonged exchanges, he used his jab and moved away when Duran attempted to establish himself inside. The champion continued to advance, but had fewer opportunities to sustain the close work that had been so effective in Montreal. Leonard’s speed was useful chiefly because he combined it with changes of position: he could score, make Duran turn and force him to begin his approach again. Duran nevertheless had productive passages, particularly in the 3rd and 5th rounds, when he succeeded in closing the distance. This was a competitive contest, despite Leonard’s growing appearance of confidence.

The distinction became most conspicuous in the 7th. Leonard lowered his hands, offered his chin and invited Duran to attack, then moved before the champion could make him pay. His most memorable deception involved winding up the right arm as though preparing a bolo punch, only to shoot a left jab into Duran’s face. The performance served a tactical purpose as well as a theatrical one. Duran was being asked to react to feints and invitations instead of setting the terms of the exchanges himself. Leonard continued to score while displaying a freedom that had been much less evident in their first meeting.

There was no decisive blow immediately preceding the withdrawal in the 8th. Duran gestured with his glove and turned away, leaving referee Octavio Meyran to establish that he would not resume. The contest was then stopped. Leonard had regained the championship, but the abruptness of the ending initially overshadowed the result. The phrase “No más” became attached to the fight, although Duran later disputed having used those exact words. Meyran maintained that the champion had told him he wanted no more. Whatever the wording, Duran’s refusal to continue was the act that settled the contest.

After 7 completed rounds, Mike Jacobs and Jean Deswert each had Leonard ahead 68-66, while James Brimmell scored 67-66. Those figures are an important qualification to any account of an overwhelming victory: Leonard had gained the advantage, but Duran had not been hopelessly outscored. Afterwards, Duran attributed his withdrawal to severe stomach cramps. His explanation remained disputed, and Leonard maintained that frustration had caused him to stop. The Louisiana commission initially withheld Duran’s purse, then fined him $7,500 for an unsatisfactory performance before releasing the balance. Leonard’s tactical adjustment had restored his title; the precise reason Duran chose to abandon a still competitive fight remained the subject of argument.

Ultimately, Leonard's control and strategy won the day, and he emerged victorious over Duran in their second encounter.

After the fight, Sugar Ray Leonard commented, "I did everything I said I was going to do, and he couldn't accept it. He was frustrated, confused. I did everything I could to make him go off, like a clock wound up too tight. He got wound up so tight, he blew a spring... I made him quit. To make a man quit, to make a Roberto Duran quit, was better than knocking him out."

Ever since I watched this fight live, I've had a sour taste in my mouth about Leonard's tactics and Duran's state of mind as the fight progressed. I may well be Sugar Ray Leonard's greatest fan. I still consider him the greatest fighter I ever saw live. That said, although he had the right to treat Duran this way due to Duran's treatment of Leonard in Montreal, I also felt he was taking these tactics too far at times.

These opinions come from the fact that I admire both fighters so much. But when it came down to it, Duran crossed the line in Montreal with some of his comments about Leonard's family. I do understand why most will see Leonard's tactics as fair game, and as such, you have to give the man credit for that.

It was a great win, the most controversial fight of its time, and it garnered headlines like no other fight of its era. Let's be honest: the "no mass" saying will forever be etched into boxing history.