40 year ago, “Sugar“ Ray Leonard vs Roberto “Manos de Piédra” Durán

40 years ago, one of the greatest championship fights between 2 of the greatest pugilists that ever laced up the gloves took place in 🇨🇦 Montreal on a cool crisp night.

“Sugar “ Ray Leonard was the WBC 147 welterweight champ and was looking to step into Muhammad Ali’s title as worlds greatest living boxer.

Another gentleman, Roberto “Manos de Piédra” Durán had something else to say about that.

Durán was the former 135 undisputed Lightweight champ with an incredible record of 74-1( Leonard was 27-0). He was considered by many as the greatest 135 champ ever, but not many gave him a chance against the younger, faster and naturally bigger Leonard.
After 15 brutal rounds, the new Champ was Roberto Durán, in what may be his greatest victory.

He defeated the Golden Boy, Ray took some incredible shots and even made the fight close at the end.

But the rounds he won weren’t nearly as dominant as the ones Durán won

A truly magnificent performance by Leonard and Durán.

Which made the debacle in New Orleans in November 5 months later that much more bizarre.

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