Sugar Ray Leonard destroyed one of the greatest fighters to have ever laced up the gloves, in a performance that’s still revered today.
At his best, the American was nothing short of phenomenal, utilizing his lightning hands and sublime boxing IQ to dismantle almost every opponent that dared set foot in the ring with him.
In his astonishing career, the warrior won world titles in five weight classes and bagged a spot in the Hall of Fame. Leonard also dropped a doorman after the bouncer mocked his famous punch.
But his most famous night came on November 25, 1980, inside the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
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Sugar Ray Leonard made Roberto Duran say ‘No mas’
Five months after losing to Roberto Duran in a hard-fought decision, Sugar Ray Leonard walked to the ring, determined to earn his revenge.
After opting not to use his flashy style in their first encounter, the Carolina boxer went back to his roots, bamboozling his nemesis with his slick skills.
He used his jab to full effect, snapping his opponent’s head back. This prompted Duran to try and implement his physicality, but Leonard pivoted around the target, leaving the Panamanian in a state of disarray.
By the seventh round, the magnificent practitioner of the sweet science was in full flow, showcasing his trademark wind-up punch and nailing his adversary with powerful shots.
Just a round later, Duran had come to the end of his tether, turning his back and quitting, allegedly telling the referee ‘No mas’.
In a truly magnificent display, Leonard had regained the WBC welterweight title and carved out a special piece of boxing history.
Sugar Ray Leonard fought the father of one of the greatest American heavyweights of the 21st century
Duran was one of the many tremendous victories that Leonard had in his magnificent career.
However, long before he became a global superstar, the talented athlete honed his skills as an amateur.
During this period, he went to war with a plethora of fantastic competitors.
Incredibly, Leonard fought the dad of one of the best American heavyweights of the last twenty years.