“No Mas” Boxing Fight

Iconic Boxing Fights

When we talk about iconic boxing fights one can just say a name and a fight will immediately come to mind. This is the case for Sugar Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran II also known as “No Mas” (No More) fight. This fight has gone down in history as one of the most controversial fights of all time. We may never know the true reasons behind the ending of the fight. But we can only put the pieces together and make sense out of it.

“The Brawl in Montreal”

Sugar Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran I took place on June 20, 1980. The fight was named after the fact that it was Leonard’s first time back to Montreal since he won Olympic gold in 1976. Sugar Ray Leonard walked into the ring undefeated at 27-0. This was the second time he was defending his WBC welterweight belt. Duran on the other hand had just moved up to the walterweight division. He had vacated his WBC and WBA lightweight titles in 1978. Roberto Duran walked into the ring 71-1 a veteran after his long career in the lightweight division. His reputation as a knockout puncher earned him the name “Manos De Piedra” (Hands of Stone).

There was much hype built before the fight. Both boxers were super stars with very different fighting styles. Roberto Duran was a brawler and Sugar Ray Leonard was an agile sharpshooter. They both literary had their countries backing them up. In the upcoming months before the fight the fans could not wait with the many headlines and banners everywhere. Duran did a good job getting under Leonard’s skin with many insults. Ultimately prompting him to say he was going to “kill” Duran in the ring. Leonard promised to stand his ground and brawl it out. Duran will go on to out land Leonard 315 to 273 winning the fight after 15 rounds by unanimous decision. Leonard was devastated after his first career lost and losing the welterweight belt. He had fought to his opponents strengths.

Post-Fight

After the fight both fighters were interviewed with polar opposite responses. Leonard responded to some of the questions, “He threw his best”, “I threw my best. The best man came out on top.” A not so humble Duran pointed to his crotch and called Leonard names in Spanish. He then went on to say “I knew I was going to beat him”, “I’m more of a man than he is”. Even though Leonard had immediately thought about retirement he soon found himself in Hawaii with the energy to fight again. He kept getting encouragement from local folks who would run into him often saying “You’ll beat him next time”. He woke up one morning and started training.

Duran on the other hand had gone back to Panama where he was already a hero. He was greeted at the airport by over 700,000 fans. He had become a more than a hero or a super star. Duran had become a legend. He did not waste time with the partying spending over $100,000 in the next couple of months. He spent time in New York partying, drinking and gaining nearly 50 pounds in weight just below the 200 pound mark. Leonard’s team moved fast and requested a rematch just 5 months away.

Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Roberto Duran II

Many boxing fans have said that Roberto Duran should have never accepted this rematch. He was in no condition to fight. Only his ego seemed to be in shape. With a record payday Duran was guaranteed $8 million and Leonard $7 million. After all he could not turn the offer down. The fight took place on November 25, 1980 and was opened by Ray Charles with “America the Beautiful”. It was after in a glorious moment that he said to Leonard, “Kick his ass”. Leonard went to work right away using lateral movement and his jab. Duran followed trying to head hunt Leonard throwing full power punches. But he was unable to pin him to the ropes.

Duran soon found himself mouth open. By the seventh round Leonard started mocking Duran sticking his chin out asking him to knock him out. Roberto Duran couldn’t. Leonard started to absorb Duran’s punches more and more. He kept taunting Duran. Duran seemed frustrated and more than the punches the psychological damage was working. It was on the 8th round just 30 seconds away from the bell that Duran turned around and raised his right hand walking away. Duran said to the referee “No Mas” (No More). This would be the last time a fighter was paid before a fight. His move left millions of fans watching confused and eventually furious. The world could not believe that brawler and macho man Duran had just quit. Leonard realizing Duran had just quit began to celebrate his victory.

https://youtu.be/VpEJK4Bbc9U

The Unanswered Question

So, Why did Roberto Duran quit? Initially all the attention shifted to a should injury. Eventually in the locker room stories began to emerge of stomach cramps. Duran went on later to explain changing the story multiple times of having eaten a steak to drinking hot coffee or tea. Whether it was that he had cramps, dropped weight too fast, was embarrassed by his performance, frustrated or just didn’t have the energy to continue fighting we may never know. Duran found himself fighting Sugar Ray Leonard for the third time 9 years later where he lost again by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. One can only make sense of what really happened that day making him quit.