December 2, 2024 • 9 mins
On November 25, 1980, the boxing world was captivated by one of the most controversial and dramatic moments in the sport's history. The rematch between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran, billed as "The Super Fight," was expected to be a clash of styles, wills, and pride. Instead, it became an indelible moment in boxing lore, defined by two simple words uttered in the middle of the eighth round: "No más." This fight was more than just a championship bout—it was a pivotal moment that encapsulated the contrasting personas of two legendary fighters and the high-stakes drama of the sport. Sugar Ray Leonard, born in Wilmington North Carolina, but raised in Palmer Park Maryland, was the golden boy of boxing. A 1976 Olympic gold medalist, Leonard brought a dazzling blend of speed, skill, and charisma to the ring. By 1980, Leonard was already a global superstar, having captured the WBC welterweight title in a thrilling bout against Wilfred Benítez. Leonard’s style was as polished as his smile, characterized by lightning-fast footwork, pinpoint accuracy, and a showmanship that endeared him to fans worldwide. Guided by the wise and tactical Angelo Dundee, who had famously worked with Muhammad Ali, Leonard was not just a fighter but a cultural icon, representing the new face of boxing in the 1980s. Roberto Duran, by contrast, was the quintessential warrior. Known as "Manos de Piedra" (Hands of Stone), Duran was a ferocious and relentless brawler from Panama City Panama. His fighting style was as raw and uncompromising as his persona. A lightweight champion who had dominated the division for nearly a decade, Duran moved up to welterweight to challenge Leonard in 1980. Their first meeting on June 20, 1980, in Montreal was a brutal war, with Duran defeating Leonard in a unanimous decision. That fight, known as "The Brawl in Montreal," showcased Duran’s ability to drag Leonard into his kind of fight, smothering the slick boxer with unrelenting pressure and inside fighting. The victory was the pinnacle of Duran’s career, making him the WBC welterweight champion and solidifying his place as one of the greatest fighters of all time. The rematch just five months later was set against a backdrop of intrigue and psychological warfare. Leonard, deeply frustrated by his loss in Montreal, was determined to reclaim his title and his reputation. In the first fight, Leonard had allowed himself to be drawn into Duran’s aggressive style, abandoning his strengths to trade punches toe-to-toe. This time, Leonard vowed to fight smarter, using his speed, footwork, and tactical brilliance to outbox Duran. Duran, meanwhile, entered the rematch under very different circumstances. After his triumph in Montreal, Duran had celebrated excessively, indulging in food, drink, and the spoils of his newfound fame. By the time the rematch was announced, Duran had to shed a significant amount of weight to make the 147 pound welterweight limit. While Duran publicly dismissed concerns about his conditioning, insiders speculated that his training camp was far from ideal, and questions about his mental and physical preparation loomed over the fight. The promotional buildup to the fight was intense. Leonard, a master of mind games in his own right, sought to regain the psychological edge. He spoke confidently in interviews, hinting at a new strategy that would neutralize Duran’s aggression. Duran, ever brash and defiant, dismissed Leonard’s comments, promising to impose his will once again. The fight was set for the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, and the buzz surrounding the event was immense. Over 25,000 fans packed the venue, and millions more tuned in on closed-circuit television, eager to see whether Leonard could exact revenge or if Duran would once again assert his dominance. When the opening bell rang, the contrast between the two fighters was immediately apparent. Leonard came out with a strategy that was as dazzling as it was effective. He used his speed and footwork to keep Duran at bay, dancing around the ring and landing sharp jabs and combinations before darting out of range. Leonard’s movement and angles frustrated Duran, who struggled to close the distance. Leonard also employed psychological tactics, taunting Duran with exaggerated feints, playful gestures, and even winding up his punches like a pitcher. These antics not only entertained the crowd but visibly irritated Duran, who was unaccustomed to being outmaneuvered and mocked in the ring. Duran, for his part, attempted to mount his usual pressure, but his punches lacked the snap and intensity that had defined his performance in Montreal. Leonard’s strategy of staying on the outside and forcing Duran to chase him was working to perfection. By the third round, Leonard was firmly in control, dictating the pace of the fight and landing clean shots while taking little damage in return. The crowd, initially divided in their support, began to rally behind Leonard, cheering his every move. A
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
On November twenty fifth, nineteen eighty, the boxing world was
captivated by one of the most controversial and dramatic moments
in the sport's history. The rematch between Sugar Ray Leonard
and Roberto Duran, billed as the super Fight, was expected
to be a clash of styles, wills, and pride. Instead,
it became an indelible moment in boxing lore, defined by
(00:21):
two simple words uttered in the middle of the eighth
round noms. This fight was more than just a championship bout.
It was a pivotal moment that encapsulated the contrasting personas
of two legendary fighters and the high stakes drama of
the sport. Sugar Ray Leonard, born in Wilmington, North Carolina,
but raised in Palmer Park, Maryland, was the Golden Boy
(00:44):
of boxing. A nineteen seventy six Olympic gold medalist, Leonard
brought a dazzling blend of speed, skill and charisma to
the ring. By nineteen eighty, Leonard was already a global superstar,
having captured the WBC welterweight title in a thrilling bout
against wilfem Benitez. Leonard's style was as polished as his
smile characterized by lightning, fast footwork, pinpoint accuracy, and a
(01:08):
showmanship that endeared him to fans worldwide. Guided by the
wise and tactical Angelo Dundee, who had famously worked with
Muhammad Ali, Leonard was not just a fighter, but a
cultural icon representing the new face of boxing in the
nineteen eighties. Roberto Duran, by contrast, was the quintessential warrior,
(01:28):
known as Manos de Piedra Hands of Stone. Duran was
a ferocious and relentless brawler from Panama City, Panama. His
fighting style was as raw and uncompromising as his persona.
A lightweight champion who had dominated the division for nearly
a decade, Duran moved up to welterweight to challenge Leonard
in nineteen eighty. Their first meeting on June twentieth, nineteen eighty,
(01:50):
in Montreal was a brutal war, with Duran defeating Leonard
in a unanimous decision. That fight, known as the Brawl
in Montreal, showcased Durand's ability to drag Leonard into his
kind of fight, smothering the slick boxer with unrelenting pressure
and inside fighting. The victory was the pinnacle of Duran's career,
(02:11):
making him the w b C welterweight champion and solidifying
his place as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
The rematch, just five months later, was set against a
backdrop of intrigue and psychological warfare. Leonard, deeply frustrated by
his loss in Montreal, was determined to reclaim his title
and his reputation. In the first fight, Leonard had allowed
(02:33):
himself to be drawn into Duran's aggressive style, abandoning his
strengths to trade punches tow to tow. This time, Leonard
vowed to fight smarter, using his speed, footwork and tactical
brilliance to out box Duran. Duran, meanwhile, entered the rematch
under very different circumstances. After his triumph in Montreal, Duran
(02:54):
had celebrated excessively, indulging in food, drink, and the spoils
of his new found fame. By the time the rematch
was announced, Duran had to shed a significant amount of
weight to make the one hundred forty seven pound welterweight limit.
While Duran publicly dismissed concerns about his conditioning, insiders speculated
that his training camp was far from ideal. And questions
(03:16):
about his mental and physical preparation loomed over the fight.
The promotional build up to the fight was intense. Leonard,
a master of mind games in his own right, sought
to regain the psychological edge. He spoke confidently in interviews,
hinting at a new strategy that would neutralize Duran's aggression. Duran,
ever brash and defiant, dismissed Leonard's comments, promising to impose
(03:40):
his will once again. The fight was set for the
Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, and the buzz surrounding the
event was immense. Over twenty five thousand fans packed the
venue and millions more tuned in on closed circuit television,
eager to see whether Leonard could exact revenge or if
Duran would once again assert his dominance. When the opening
(04:02):
bell rang, the contrast between the two fighters was immediately apparent.
Leonard came out with a strategy that was as dazzling
as it was effective. He used his speed and footwork
to keep Duran at bay, dancing around the ring and
landing sharp jabs and combinations before darting out of range.
Leonard's movement and angles frustrated Duran, who struggled to close
(04:25):
the distance. Leonard also employed psychological tactics, taunting Duran with
exaggerated feints, playful gestures, and even winding up his punches
like a pitcher. These antics not only entertained the crowd
but visibly irritated Duran, who was unaccustomed to being outmaneuvered
and mocked in the ring. Duran, for his part, attempted
(04:47):
to mount his usual pressure, but his punches lacked the
snap and intensity that had defined his performance in Montreal.
Leonard's strategy of staying on the outside and forcing Duran
to chase him was working to perfection. By the third round,
Leonard was firmly in control, dictating the pace of the
fight and landing clean shots while taking little damage in return.
(05:09):
The crowd, initially divided in their support, began to rally
behind Leonard, cheering his every move. As the rounds progressed,
Duran's frustration grew, Leonard's ability to land and escape without
being caught left the Panamanian champion visibly flustered. In the
sixth and seventh rounds, Leonard's confidence reached its peak. He
(05:31):
began to showboat, sticking out his chin dropping his hands
and daring Duran to hit him. At one point, Leonard
wound up a bolo punch, only to follow it with
a crisp jab that snapped Duran's head back. The psychological
warfare was working. Duran, who thrived on intimidating his opponents,
now found himself on the receiving end of Leonard's mind games.
(05:52):
The dramatic climax came in the eighth round. Leonard continued
to dominate, peppering Duran with jabs and combinations while staying
out of harm's way. Then suddenly, in a moment that
stunned the world, Duran raised his right hand and uttered
the words no Moss, no more. The referee, Octavio Mayron,
hesitated for a moment before waving off the fight. Leonard
(06:15):
was declared the winner by t KO, regaining the w
b C welterweight title in one of the most shocking
and controversial conclusions in boxing history. The crowd erupted in
disbelief and confusion. For a fighter as proud and fearless
as Duran to quit in the middle of a fight
was unthinkable. Fans and analysts immediately began to speculate about
(06:37):
what had led to Duran's surrender. Some suggested that he
was frustrated by Leonard's tactics and realized he had no
chance of winning. Others pointed to Duran's poor conditioning and
speculated that he simply could not keep up with Leonard's pace.
Duran himself later offered conflicting explanations, ranging from stomach cramps
(06:57):
to dissatisfaction with the referee. Regardless of the reasons, the
No Moss moment became an indelible part of boxing history,
forever associated with Duran's legacy. For Leonard, the victory was
a triumphant redemption. He had not only reclaimed his title,
but also demonstrated his ability to adapt and outsmart one
(07:17):
of the greatest fighters of all time. Leonard's performance in
the rematch showcased his brilliance as a tactician and showman,
cementing his status as one of the sport's all time greats.
The fight also solidified Leonard's place in popular culture, as
his charisma and flare resonated with fans far beyond the
boxing world. The cultural impact of the fight was immense.
(07:41):
The No Mass incident transcended sports, becoming a catch phrase
and a symbol of capitulation in the face of adversity.
It was referenced in movies, television shows, and everyday conversations,
underscoring the fight's lasting significance. For Duran, however, the fight
was a blemish on an otherwise agase extraordinary career. While
(08:02):
he would go on to achieve further success, including winning
titles in multiple weight classes, the No Mas fight remained
a controversial chapter in his story. Strategically, the fight was
a master class in exploiting an opponent's weaknesses. Leonard's ability
to impose his style, frustrate Duran, and control the psychological
battle was the key to his victory. Duran, accustomed to
(08:25):
dictating the terms of his fights, was unable to adapt
to Leonard's speed and movement. The fight also highlighted the
importance of preparation, as Duran's lack of conditioning and focus
ultimately proved costly decades later. Sugar Ray Leonard versus. Roberto
Duran III remains one of the most iconic fights in
boxing history. It was a night of high drama, brilliant strategy,
(08:49):
and unforgettable controversy. For Leonard, it was a moment of
vindication For boxing fans, it was a reminder of the
sport's ability to produce moments of unparalleled drama and emotion.
The nomasphyte continues to be studied, debated, and remembered as
a defining moment in the careers of two of boxing's
greatest warriors.
On November twenty fifth, nineteen eighty, the boxing world was
captivated by one of the most controversial and dramatic moments
in the sport's history. The rematch between Sugar Ray Leonard
and Roberto Duran, billed as the super Fight, was expected
to be a clash of styles, wills, and pride. Instead,
it became an indelible moment in boxing lore, defined by
(00:21):
two simple words uttered in the middle of the eighth
round noms. This fight was more than just a championship bout.
It was a pivotal moment that encapsulated the contrasting personas
of two legendary fighters and the high stakes drama of
the sport. Sugar Ray Leonard, born in Wilmington, North Carolina,
but raised in Palmer Park, Maryland, was the Golden Boy
(00:44):
of boxing. A nineteen seventy six Olympic gold medalist, Leonard
brought a dazzling blend of speed, skill and charisma to
the ring. By nineteen eighty, Leonard was already a global superstar,
having captured the WBC welterweight title in a thrilling bout
against wilfem Benitez. Leonard's style was as polished as his
smile characterized by lightning, fast footwork, pinpoint accuracy, and a
(01:08):
showmanship that endeared him to fans worldwide. Guided by the
wise and tactical Angelo Dundee, who had famously worked with
Muhammad Ali, Leonard was not just a fighter, but a
cultural icon representing the new face of boxing in the
nineteen eighties. Roberto Duran, by contrast, was the quintessential warrior,
(01:28):
known as Manos de Piedra Hands of Stone. Duran was
a ferocious and relentless brawler from Panama City, Panama. His
fighting style was as raw and uncompromising as his persona.
A lightweight champion who had dominated the division for nearly
a decade, Duran moved up to welterweight to challenge Leonard
in nineteen eighty. Their first meeting on June twentieth, nineteen eighty,
(01:50):
in Montreal was a brutal war, with Duran defeating Leonard
in a unanimous decision. That fight, known as the Brawl
in Montreal, showcased Durand's ability to drag Leonard into his
kind of fight, smothering the slick boxer with unrelenting pressure
and inside fighting. The victory was the pinnacle of Duran's career,
(02:11):
making him the w b C welterweight champion and solidifying
his place as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
The rematch, just five months later, was set against a
backdrop of intrigue and psychological warfare. Leonard, deeply frustrated by
his loss in Montreal, was determined to reclaim his title
and his reputation. In the first fight, Leonard had allowed
(02:33):
himself to be drawn into Duran's aggressive style, abandoning his
strengths to trade punches tow to tow. This time, Leonard
vowed to fight smarter, using his speed, footwork and tactical
brilliance to out box Duran. Duran, meanwhile, entered the rematch
under very different circumstances. After his triumph in Montreal, Duran
(02:54):
had celebrated excessively, indulging in food, drink, and the spoils
of his new found fame. By the time the rematch
was announced, Duran had to shed a significant amount of
weight to make the one hundred forty seven pound welterweight limit.
While Duran publicly dismissed concerns about his conditioning, insiders speculated
that his training camp was far from ideal. And questions
(03:16):
about his mental and physical preparation loomed over the fight.
The promotional build up to the fight was intense. Leonard,
a master of mind games in his own right, sought
to regain the psychological edge. He spoke confidently in interviews,
hinting at a new strategy that would neutralize Duran's aggression. Duran,
ever brash and defiant, dismissed Leonard's comments, promising to impose
(03:40):
his will once again. The fight was set for the
Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, and the buzz surrounding the
event was immense. Over twenty five thousand fans packed the
venue and millions more tuned in on closed circuit television,
eager to see whether Leonard could exact revenge or if
Duran would once again assert his dominance. When the opening
(04:02):
bell rang, the contrast between the two fighters was immediately apparent.
Leonard came out with a strategy that was as dazzling
as it was effective. He used his speed and footwork
to keep Duran at bay, dancing around the ring and
landing sharp jabs and combinations before darting out of range.
Leonard's movement and angles frustrated Duran, who struggled to close
(04:25):
the distance. Leonard also employed psychological tactics, taunting Duran with
exaggerated feints, playful gestures, and even winding up his punches
like a pitcher. These antics not only entertained the crowd
but visibly irritated Duran, who was unaccustomed to being outmaneuvered
and mocked in the ring. Duran, for his part, attempted
(04:47):
to mount his usual pressure, but his punches lacked the
snap and intensity that had defined his performance in Montreal.
Leonard's strategy of staying on the outside and forcing Duran
to chase him was working to perfection. By the third round,
Leonard was firmly in control, dictating the pace of the
fight and landing clean shots while taking little damage in return.
(05:09):
The crowd, initially divided in their support, began to rally
behind Leonard, cheering his every move. As the rounds progressed,
Duran's frustration grew, Leonard's ability to land and escape without
being caught left the Panamanian champion visibly flustered. In the
sixth and seventh rounds, Leonard's confidence reached its peak. He
(05:31):
began to showboat, sticking out his chin dropping his hands
and daring Duran to hit him. At one point, Leonard
wound up a bolo punch, only to follow it with
a crisp jab that snapped Duran's head back. The psychological
warfare was working. Duran, who thrived on intimidating his opponents,
now found himself on the receiving end of Leonard's mind games.
(05:52):
The dramatic climax came in the eighth round. Leonard continued
to dominate, peppering Duran with jabs and combinations while staying
out of harm's way. Then suddenly, in a moment that
stunned the world, Duran raised his right hand and uttered
the words no Moss, no more. The referee, Octavio Mayron,
hesitated for a moment before waving off the fight. Leonard
(06:15):
was declared the winner by t KO, regaining the w
b C welterweight title in one of the most shocking
and controversial conclusions in boxing history. The crowd erupted in
disbelief and confusion. For a fighter as proud and fearless
as Duran to quit in the middle of a fight
was unthinkable. Fans and analysts immediately began to speculate about
(06:37):
what had led to Duran's surrender. Some suggested that he
was frustrated by Leonard's tactics and realized he had no
chance of winning. Others pointed to Duran's poor conditioning and
speculated that he simply could not keep up with Leonard's pace.
Duran himself later offered conflicting explanations, ranging from stomach cramps
(06:57):
to dissatisfaction with the referee. Regardless of the reasons, the
No Moss moment became an indelible part of boxing history,
forever associated with Duran's legacy. For Leonard, the victory was
a triumphant redemption. He had not only reclaimed his title,
but also demonstrated his ability to adapt and outsmart one
(07:17):
of the greatest fighters of all time. Leonard's performance in
the rematch showcased his brilliance as a tactician and showman,
cementing his status as one of the sport's all time greats.
The fight also solidified Leonard's place in popular culture, as
his charisma and flare resonated with fans far beyond the
boxing world. The cultural impact of the fight was immense.
(07:41):
The No Mass incident transcended sports, becoming a catch phrase
and a symbol of capitulation in the face of adversity.
It was referenced in movies, television shows, and everyday conversations,
underscoring the fight's lasting significance. For Duran, however, the fight
was a blemish on an otherwise agase extraordinary career. While
(08:02):
he would go on to achieve further success, including winning
titles in multiple weight classes, the No Mas fight remained
a controversial chapter in his story. Strategically, the fight was
a master class in exploiting an opponent's weaknesses. Leonard's ability
to impose his style, frustrate Duran, and control the psychological
battle was the key to his victory. Duran, accustomed to
(08:25):
dictating the terms of his fights, was unable to adapt
to Leonard's speed and movement. The fight also highlighted the
importance of preparation, as Duran's lack of conditioning and focus
ultimately proved costly decades later. Sugar Ray Leonard versus. Roberto
Duran III remains one of the most iconic fights in
boxing history. It was a night of high drama, brilliant strategy,
(08:49):
and unforgettable controversy. For Leonard, it was a moment of
vindication For boxing fans, it was a reminder of the
sport's ability to produce moments of unparalleled drama and emotion.
The nomasphyte continues to be studied, debated, and remembered as
a defining moment in the careers of two of boxing's
greatest warriors.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal: Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.