When two legends step into the same ring to trade punches, there’s a magical feeling in the air; even watching the video of the fight years later, you can’t shake the sense that this wasn’t just any bout. The first chapter of the trilogy between the great “Sugar” Ray Leonard and Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán is a textbook example: a clash of titans, a battle between unforgettable warriors forever etched in boxing history. Exactly 45 years after that once-in-a-lifetime spectacle unfolded at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium before over 46,000 spectators, let’s revisit the key moments of that great night of boxing.
The Return of the Chosen One and the Arrival of the Killer
Montreal held fond memories for Leonard. It was there, in 1976, that the American star won Olympic gold, making a name for himself on the global stage as a true prodigy. After that brilliant win in the final against unfortunate Cuban Andres Aldama, Sugar began a flawless professional run, culminating in a stunning world title victory over Puerto Rican Wilfred Benítez.
But his return to Montreal for the second defense of his WBC welterweight belt placed him in the toughest challenge of his extraordinary career. Panamanian Roberto Durán, already a dominant force in the lightweight division, stepped into the ring “to kill.” As “Manos de Piedra” made his entrance to a roaring crowd, journalist Dave Anderson turned to heavyweight legend Joe Frazier, who was ringside, and asked if Durán reminded him of anyone. Expecting “Smokin’ Joe” to point to himself, Anderson was surprised when he calmly replied: “Charles Manson,” comparing the fierce Panamanian to the notorious serial killer.
Attacking the Attacker: A Suicidal Tactic?
While oddsmakers slightly favored Leonard, expert opinions were divided. A United Press International poll gathered predictions from 30 journalists: 13 picked Sugar, and 17 sided with Manos de Piedra. Of those 17, only one expected Durán to win by decision. Everyone anticipated the classic duel between a slick technician and a power puncher, and Leonard’s promise to engage in an all-out war was widely seen as mind games.
So when, after a cautious opening round, Leonard actually stood his ground and traded blows without bouncing on his feet as usual, the crowd was stunned. The champion’s surprising strategy played right into Durán’s hands. A true master of close-range fighting, the Panamanian unleashed his finest arsenal, repeatedly shaking Leonard and dominating the action from rounds two to four. His sharp, lead right hands in particular kept Sugar from using his jab—a detail that would define the entire fight.
The Champion Strikes Back but Pays the Price for the Relentless Pace
Just when “Manos de Piedra” seemed destined to impose his dominance, Leonard showed everyone what he was truly made of. Having weathered the storm, the American began to find his range more and more, landing fierce and spectacular punches of his own. His arms flashed with speed, and his sudden uppercuts and hooks caught the Panamanian off guard and left spectators stunned—the champion was back in the fight!
However, the punishing pace both fighters had set began to take its toll around the halfway mark. Leonard’s expression grew tense and concerned, and his work rate visibly dropped. Aware that he needed to conserve energy to last the full fifteen rounds, Sugar began to fight in spurts. Meanwhile, though Durán also lost some of the sparkle and unpredictability he had shown early on, he continued to apply relentless pressure, impressing the judges with his fierce aggression.
The Thrilling Finale and a Lesson Learned
As the fight entered the final rounds, the two greats dug deep and gave everything they had left. The thirteenth round, in particular, was breathtakingly beautiful and thrilling, filled with furious exchanges and nonstop action. Leonard, knowing he was trailing slightly on the scorecards, produced his best moments in the final two rounds, but it wasn’t quite enough to close the gap. The scorecards—narrow but unanimous—rightfully awarded the victory to Roberto Durán.
The judges’ tallies reflected how evenly matched the bout had been, with many rounds scored even. Italian judge Angelo Poletti took things to the extreme by scoring ten of the fifteen rounds as draws, prompting Sports Illustrated to call his card “a monument to indecision.”
As usual, Durán had no time for pleasantries after the final bell. He remained defiantly hostile toward his opponent, even cursing Leonard as Sugar raised his arms in the air, still hopeful of getting the nod from the judges.
Legendary trainer Angelo Dundee didn’t hold back in his criticism of Leonard: “You should never fight to an opponent’s strength. You have to find a way to counterbalance it, and Ray didn’t do that. He tried to outmuscle him. Durán fought like Durán, and Ray followed his lead.” It was a lesson Leonard clearly took to heart—revenge was already on the horizon, and it would come just five months later…