Roberto Durán quit his boxing match against Sugar Ray Leonard, famously known as the "No Más" fight, primarily due to embarrassment rather than physical ailments.
The highly anticipated rematch, held in 1980, saw Durán unexpectedly turn his back and utter "No Más" (Spanish for "No More") to the referee in the eighth round, abandoning the fight. While common speculation often pointed to stomach cramps or exhaustion, the true reason, as clarified by those close to him and by his opponent, was more psychological.
Key Reasons for Durán's Quitting:
- Embarrassment, Not Physical Ailment: Durán's manager, Carlos Eleta, explicitly stated that the decision was not spurred by stomach cramps or any physical incapacitation. Instead, Eleta indicated that Durán quit because he was deeply embarrassed by his performance and inability to cope with Sugar Ray Leonard's fighting style. Leonard's agile footwork and strategic taunting had seemingly frustrated Durán, a renowned aggressive brawler, to the point of psychological surrender.
- Sugar Ray Leonard's Strategic Dominance: Leonard himself claimed credit for having forced Durán to give up. He took immense satisfaction in this outcome, stating, "I made him quit... To make a man quit, to make Roberto Durán quit, was better than knocking him out." This perspective highlights the mental and strategic pressure Leonard exerted, which ultimately led to Durán's unprecedented decision to stop fighting.
The "No Más" incident remains one of boxing's most debated moments, largely due to the unexpected and uncharacteristic nature of Durán's surrender, stemming from a profound sense of embarrassment rather than physical defeat.
