It has been nearly 33 years since Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran met in their rematch at the Superdome in New Orleans. It was viewed as one of Leonard’s greatest triumphs. But who knew Leonard was more tormented by how their fight known as “No Mas” ended than Duran?
That’s one of the major revelations in “No Mas,” a documentary that will premiere at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday as part of ESPN’s “30 for 30” series. After defeating Leonard by split decision in their first meeting in Montreal in June 1980, Duran agreed to a rematch five months later.
Leonard, who had tried to slug it out with “Hands of Stone” in the first fight, became more of a boxer in the rematch, using quick foot movement , fast hands and clowning tactics to frustrate Duran. In the eighth round, the Panamanian turned his back and told referee Octavio Meyran that he didn’t want to fight anymore.
Howard Cosell broadcasting ringside, called it “the most inexplicable thing I have ever seen in the ring.”
The documentary directed by Eric Drath explores not only the two fights between Leonard and Duran but follows Leonard on a visit to Panama to confront Duran in search for the true reason why he quit during the infamous bout.
Leonard, now 57, reveals he never fully savored the victory because the outcome was more about Duran quitting than him winning. For three decades he has had trouble accepting Duran’s claim that he had stomach cramps rather than give Leonard credit for his psychological tactics and skill in the ring.
While Duran, 62, doesn’t offer much more insight on his reasons for quitting it’s compelling to see the aging warriors come face-to-face again. They profess to be friends these days, but their competitive spirits shines in their eyes when they’re together.
What Duran wants to make clear is he never uttered the words, “No Mas,” insisting it was the referee who first uttered the words. He also wants fans to remember him for more than that fight. “I had many other fights, even more important fights and tougher fights,” Duran said through an interpreter.
In the end, Duran seems more at peace with “No Mas” than Leonard, who through his own battle with alcoholism understands it isn’t easy to admit quitting on yourself, friends and fans.
“The man is saying what he honestly feels is the truth and I take it for what it’s worth,” Leonard said. “Did it bother me? Yes it bothered me for a while for a number of years. But when I finally surrendered that I was an alcoholic, my life was better. We all have to surrender at some point to make things better. So I do accept what he says.”