Leonard vs Benitez: The Staredown Showdon 35th Anniversary

[elmersalsa]

On Friday, November 30, 1979, the young Wilfred Benitez of Puerto Rico, 21, defended his crown at upcoming and dazzling superstar Sugar Ray Leonard, 23, a former olympic gold medalist. The fight was at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV. The fight was called by some "The Staredown Showdown" or "The Battle of the Masters".

Leonard graduated that night, stopping Benitez in the last round (scheduled for 15), with 8 seconds left. But he went through hell with The Radar in one of his toughest fights of his career. Both were undefeated fighters.

It was the fight that started it all. It was the first time two boxers outside the heavyweight division class to command a million dollar payday for a super fight.

The fight was warily fought by both men. Both of them were studying each other, maybe too much. The fight was called by ABC Sports Howard Cossell.

Benitez suffered a knockdown in round 3. It was a left jab to the face that embarrassed him more than being hurt. In the 6th round, he suffered a cut by the clash of heads with Sugar Ray. In the eleventh, he was in bad shape after Leonard caught him with a left hook, but Leonard with all his fast hands, could not finish him. When they went toe to toe and for all the marbles in the last round, Benitez was caught by a left hook and got dropped. His forehead was full of blood. Leonard went for the kill and the referee, Carlos Padilla from the Philippines stopped the fight.

Was the fight stopped too soon? Did the clash of heads had an effect on Benitez in the fight? Or Leonard was better?

This is one of the first fights that got me into watching boxing. I remember where I was and everything. It was not as exciting as the Marvin Hagler vs Vito Antuofermo I fight, but, it was entertaining at least. I just cannot believe that it happened 35 years ago. Damn!, that is a long time!

[Broomhall]

On Friday, November 30, 1979, the young Wilfred Benitez of Puerto Rico, 21, defended his crown at upcoming and dazzling superstar Sugar Ray Leonard, 23, a former olympic gold medalist. The fight was at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV. The fight was called by some "The Staredown Showdown" or "The Battle of the Masters".

Leonard graduated that night, stopping Benitez in the last round (scheduled for 15), with 8 seconds left. But he went through hell with The Radar in one of his toughest fights of his career. Both were undefeated fighters.

It was the fight that started it all. It was the first time two boxers outside the heavyweight division class to command a million dollar payday for a super fight.

The fight was warily fought by both men. Both of them were studying each other, maybe too much. The fight was called by ABC Sports Howard Cossell.

Benitez suffered a knockdown in round 3. It was a left jab to the face that embarrassed him more than being hurt. In the 6th round, he suffered a cut by the clash of heads with Sugar Ray. In the eleventh, he was in bad shape after Leonard caught him with a left hook, but Leonard with all his fast hands, could not finish him. When they went toe to toe and for all the marbles in the last round, Benitez was caught by a left hook and got dropped. His forehead was full of blood. Leonard went for the kill and the referee, Carlos Padilla from the Philippines stopped the fight.

Was the fight stopped too soon? Did the clash of heads had an effect on Benitez in the fight? Or Leonard was better?

This is one of the first fights that got me into watching boxing. I remember where I was and everything. It was not as exciting as the Marvin Hagler vs Vito Antuofermo I fight, but, it was entertaining at least. I just cannot believe that it happened 35 years ago. Damn!, that is a long time!

It is a long time ago and yet it seems like yesterday. What a tragic ending Benitez had for such a talent.

[SenorPipino]

Leonard said that he couldn't believe he could miss so many punches against a fighter. Benitez' defensive skills were extraordinary.

Despite Benitez having a less than granite chin, he almost went the distance with SRL, and did go the route against huge punchers Hearns and Duran.

[elmersalsa]

I remember that night like yesterday. I was crying during the fight in how the great Wilfred Benitez was making Sugar Ray miss. I was screaming go after him! Throw those fast punches, Sugar Ray! But then I realized that it was easier said than done when you are fighting a master like Benitez. He really fought good that night. When he fell down in round 15th, I got estatic and excited. Sugar Ray finally becomes world champion. But, he had to earned it that night.

It was one of the best technical and masterful fights that I have seen. The other is Mike McCallum vs James Toney I.

[Nile4000]

Leonard said that he couldn't believe he could miss so many punches against a fighter. Benitez' defensive skills were extraordinary.

Despite Benitez having a less than granite chin, he almost went the distance with SRL, and did go the route against huge punchers Hearns and Duran.

It also helped that Sugar Ray telegraphed his punches.

[SenorPipino]

Leonard said that he couldn't believe he could miss so many punches against a fighter. Benitez' defensive skills were extraordinary.

Despite Benitez having a less than granite chin, he almost went the distance with SRL, and did go the route against huge punchers Hearns and Duran.

It also helped that Sugar Ray telegraphed his punches.

He did throw a lot of wide shots that night, which was uncharacteristic of Leonard.
I think he lost his composure a bit because he was having so much difficulty hit Benitez cleanly.

[man]

i must say that i was disappointed when i saw
the fight for the first time a few years ago. i
couldn't help it, but benitez was short all night.
he never seemed to put any weight behind his
shots, just punched for scoring, not for hurting.