Word: duran
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...other half of the title--the WBA half-owned by Pipino Cuevas. That was a good idea, but Cuevas wanted no part of Hearns either. Finally, the WBA ordered Cuevas to give Hearns a shot. It was set for August 1980, a few months after the first Leonard-Duran fight...
...press conference following Duran's victory in Montreal, a reporter told Leonard that Hearns would give him a shot at his title after his fight with Cuevas. "Would you prefer to fight Duran again, or will you fight Hearns for the other half of the title?" the reporter asked...
...Duran had to slim down for his rematch with Leonard. After the weigh-in at noon on the day of the fight, Duran gulped some bouillon, then went out for a steak and French fries. Later in the afternoon, he was still intensely hungry, and though his physician advised against it, he ate another steak dinner. The sudden feast after weeks of dieting may have led to the cramps. Said Dr. Nunez: "Roberto wasn't beaten by Sugar Ray Leonard. He was beaten by two sirloin steaks...
...quite. Leonard fought a masterly fight, sidestepping Duran's bull-like charges and refusing to be caught on the ropes. He showed superior tactical skill, never wasting a punch and landing virtually all those he threw. With a 3-in. advantage in reach, he stabbed Duran in the face with a jab of crackling speed and accuracy. He counterpunched furiously when Duran managed to close on him, and though Duran landed several walloping rights, Leonard shook them off and returned the fire. When the fight ended, Leonard summed up: "Duran has heart. He's been a great champion...
...Duran insisted that, satisfactory or not, it was his last fight, and that from now on the hands of stone will never do anything more strenuous than count the estimated $8 million he earned from this fight (Leonard made about $6 million). Said Duran: "I have been fighting for a long time. I have gotten tired of the sport. I am going to retire." As criticism of his eighth-round walkout grew, however, Duran had second thoughts. "I will not retire and I will seek a revenge fight with Sugar Ray Leonard," he said. Lest any paying customers feel cheated...