Boxing legend ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard was a fan-favorite fighter who is considered one of the very best of all time.
Best known for his epic fight series with Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns, Leonard has been a part of some of the greatest nights in boxing history.
Leonard would taste defeat for the first time in his career losing his WBC World Welterweight title versus Duran in 1980.
‘Sugar’ had won the belt just seven months prior to the first meeting Duran, after Leonard defeated Wilfred Benitez. However, he would manage just one title defense before losing to his rival via unanimous decision.
The first meeting with Duran was a close affair, however, the 72-fight boxer would get the better of Leonard. Eager to get the loss back, there was a tactical reason why Leonard agreed to fight Duran five months later.
Sugar Ray Leonard says why he wanted quick rematch with Roberto Duran
It is common for fighters to aim for a rematch with their opponents after being bested for the first time. However, Leonard’s desire for a quick rematch was not solely with the intent of revenge.
Instead, there was a more methodological reason for Leonard wanting the rematch “as soon as possible.”
Speaking to DAZN, Leonard said, “I knew that he hung out and partied quite a bit, like I did, but he gained so much weight, so I wanted the rematch ASAP.”
The pair would rematch in November of 1980, just over five months after their first meeting. Scoring an eighth-round TKO, Leonard would be able to get his revenge.
Although the bout had been closely contested, Duran allegedly told the referee he no longer wanted to participate in the fight, saying ‘No Mas’, declaring Leonard the winner.
However, Leonard later debunked the ‘No Mas’ myth.
Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran would have their third fight in 1989
Despite the quick nature of their second meeting, Leonard and Duran would not meet for a third time until 1989, nine years after their first two fights.
This time, the pair would fight for the WBC World Super Middleweight title, which was held by Leonard.
Duran was 38 years old with a record of 85-7 going into the rubber match, while 33-year-old Leonard had a record of 35-1-1.
However, it would be the younger fighter who got the second win in the series. In what was a convincing victory, Leonard won the fight via unanimous decision in Las Vegas.