In June of 1980, I was in Dallas, Texas for a month of resident training at an airline training school operated by the now defunct Braniff Airlines. While there, I made arrangements to see the June 20, 1980 bout between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran from Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada. I hopped a bus that took me from Dallas to DFW Airport, then took a transfer to the Tarrant County Coliseum in Fort Worth to watch the closed-circuit broadcast of the fight.
This was the first time I had been to a fight shown live on big screens at an arena. The atmosphere in the arena was racially charged that Friday night in Fort Worth, and the same was true around the country. In fact, several people were shot and killed over the results, with many blacks angry at Leonard losing. I personally am color blind, and root for my favorite fighter simply because I like them. Ray was a huge favorite of mine, and plunking down 20 bucks was worth every cent to see him take on the challenge of the rough Duran.
Leonard shocked everyone by standing toe to toe with Duran, and was hurt badly by a stiff left hook in the second round. He admittedly was buzzed for three rounds, but stayed in the trenches with the tough Panamanian most of the night. Duran fought a dirty and foul-filled bout, but referee Carlos Padilla let him do whatever he wanted all 15 rounds with Ray. Duran hit Leonard low, on the hips, heat butted him and did whatever he wanted illegally with no repercussion. Ray held his own, fought courageously, and even outboxed Duran the last two rounds to show he could do it.
At the sound of the 15th round bell, I was nervous and was pretty sure Ray had lost. What was first announced as a split decision win for Duran, was later changed to a unanimous one, and despite his fouls, was well-deserved. Sugar Ray made no excuses, while Duran was the prick he was always win after winning, and made me develop total disdain for the guy.
As I ran back to catch my bus, the memories of the night flooded my mind. It had all been so exiting, and as I look back at that ‘Special Night in Texas’, in June of 1980, I knew I was a boxing fan for life from that point one.
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