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  • The Four Kings: No Mas Roberto Duran Vs Sugar Ray Leonard

The Four Kings: No Mas - Roberto Duran vs Sugar Ray Leonard 2

“Hands of Stone” delivered an upset in the first encounter and now it was time to see if Duran could repeat his victory in New Orleans.

Planet Sport continues its fight series rivalry between the Four Kings: Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns.

Despite machismo and an unwavering will to win, Duran was known for his partying antics outside of the ring, something Leonard was aware of.
And boy, did he party.
Leonard had triggered his rematch clause following the first defeat of his career in Montreal to Duran - five months after the first battle - on November 20, 1980.

Having put on a lot of weight from their first encounter, from the lavish lifestyle he had been living since beating Leonard, Duran struggled to get into shape and was out of sorts on fight night.

Refusing to enter a brawl like the first fight, Leonard was much quicker and sharper than his rival and dominated the fight from the opening bell.

Behind on the official scorecards (67-66, 68-66, 68-66), Duran waved his glove in the air with 16 seconds remaining of round eight to quit the fight.

The fight was over in an instant and Leonard had gained redemption.
Leonard had demoralized Duran by continuous taunts in the previous round and with the Panamanian unable to keep up the pace, he quit.

It was alleged Duran had shouted 'No Mas' which translated to no more - something which became universally infamous.
The American was now a two-time WBC welterweight titlist. The aftermath of the result, however, was equally as remarkable to the ending of the fight.

Duran - a 74-fight veteran - made a shocking admission to fans and declared, "I don't want to fight any more, I've been fighting for a long time."

Roberto Duran knocks out Costa Rican Alvaro Rojas in two minutes and 17 seconds of the first round to successfully defend the World Boxing Association championship he'd held since June 1972.

That was it.

Duran hung the gloves up with immediate effect. Well, for nine months before returning to outpoint Nino Gonzalez.

The debate as to whether Duran said 'No Mas' continues to rumble on despite the fighter denying it himself.
Translating Duran, his son Robin said: "From his mouth, he never actually said 'no mas.'
"He waved his hands and the referee said it. First time he saw the referee saying that, he actually thought it was Ray Arcel (one of Duran's trainers) who said no mas."

"It's very hard for a fighter to speak with a mouthpiece on. He just waved his hand and this first time he sees the referee saying that he said no mas."

I never heard him say 'No Mas'

Looking back at the fight - which took place over 40 years ago - Leonard revealed "a day doesn't go by that I'm not asked about the No Mas fight.
"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," Leonard said.
"I heard the crowd laughing," Leonard said. "Then I looked at his face and he was puzzled. He didn't know what the hell was going on. It really, really bothered him.
"It never came up in my mind. It was my brother Roger that kept saying 'Ray, he's quitting!' But I never thought that would happen. That's Disneyland.
"In all due respect to Roberto, I never heard him say 'No Mas,'" Leonard said. "He never said 'No mas' to me, but he told the referee 'no more.'"

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