The ‘No Mas’ meeting between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran is one of the most famous boxing matches of all time.
As Duran was able to hand Leonard his first-ever professional loss in 1980, ‘Sugar’ eagerly sought his revenge.
Five months later, Leonard was able to secure a quick rematch with Duran for tactical reasons. Meeting in New Orleans, Leonard was able to get his revenge on his great rival.
Although Leonard denied the myth that Duran muttered the words ‘No Mas’, the legend of the fight still lives on.
After such an impressive showing against Duran, Leonard was able to defend his world title for the first time in his second reign in style.
Sugar Ray Leonard defeated Larry Bonds following ‘No Mas’ fight
Returning four months after his sequel bout with Duran, Leonard took on Larry Bonds in New York, in March 1981.
Bonds went into his first world title fight with a professional record of 29-3, riding a six-fight win streak. However, the title challenger was not able to cause Leonard the problems that Duran did.
It was a largely one-sided affair as Leonard was able to successfully defend his WBC World Welterweight title.
Looking the much faster and sharper fighter, a ruthless combination from Leonard in the fourth round would send Bonds down. However, the title challenger would recover.
Leading the bout through the following six rounds, ‘Sugar’ was able to find a finishing sequence in the 10th round. Stalking Bonds, Leonard landed whipping punches to the body before mixing his shots to the head as well.
The pressure and precision from Leonard was too much for Bonds to handle. Crumbling to the canvas, the fight would briefly resume as Bonds bravely returned to his feet. However, as Leonard picked up where he left off, the referee intervened.
The bout was stopped in the final minute of round 10, as Leonard defended his world title and extended his professional record to 29-1.
Sugar Ray Leonard ended his 1981 with a title unification bout with Thomas Hearns
Following his win over Bonds, Leonard would return to the ring three months later to face Ayub Kalule.
As Leonard defeated Kalule via TKO, Thomas Hearns stopped Pablo Baez on the same event as he was a fellow welterweight world champion.
With both men earning victories, this set up a world welterweight title unification bout between the pair. Leonard’s WBC belt would be on the line when he faced the WBA champion Hearns.
Meeting an undefeated Hearns in September 1981, Leonard would emerge as the winner in their ‘Fight of the Year’ brawl. Scoring a 14th-round knockout, Leonard was able to unify the welterweight titles.