‘The Brawl in Montreal’ was set for June 20, 1980 at Olympic Stadium in Canada, and it would be the first time I saw a closed-circuit fight live. I was in Dallas, Texas for the month of June 1980 for residence airline training for a new job, and took a bus transfer to the Tarrant County Coliseum in Fort Worth to see the bout. Happy to pay the $20 to see one of my favorite boxers Sugar Ray Leonard in action, it was a memorable night from start to finish. Ray decided to go toe-to-toe with the ‘Hands of Stone’, and was beat up and mauled on the ropes for much of the fight. By the time Ray decided to box, it was too late, and he lost a unanimous decision, and with it, his title to Duran.
Roberto was not my type of fighter at all, and I could hardly wait for the rematch if it happened. After Leonard briefly mulled retirement, a return bout with Duran was set for November 25, 1980 at the Superdome in New Orleans. Vowing to box this time, Leonard promised a different outcome, and nothing could have stopped me from seeing it live.
This time I made the hour or so drive to Convention Hall on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, and took my $35 seat on the floor of the cavernous arena. Ray had to win in my book, or his career would be at a standstill, and Duran would go on to challenge the other welterweight champ, Thomas Hearns. Leonard didn’t disappoint at all, and outboxed Duran from the opening bell. He also landed hard shots to Roberto’s face, and was in total control this time around. I cheered his every move, and when he taunted Duran in the 7th round, I loved every second of it.
Shockingly, after Ray landed a punch to Duran’s side, he turned to referee Octavio Meyran and raised his hand, saying that he was done. A few moments later, he repeated the gesture, and the amazing had come true! Duran of all fighters, had quit! He made up some crap about having stomach aches, but it was utter nonsense. Leonard had embarrassed and outboxed him, proving he was the better fighter. It is still one of the highlights of my 40 plus years as a boxing fan.
Roberto returned to Panama a loser, and his own country wanted nothing to do with him. He would have to prove himself again, and that road to redemption was a long and tough one. Known for his machismo, his having quit was unforgiveable to many boxing fans, and it tarnished his career for a long time.
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