An artist loses his title to a brawler in a thriller
It was billed, in French-speaking Montreal, as le face a face historique: the historic confrontation, a pairing mentioned in the same breath as Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier, Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn, Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake La-Motta. In one corner, Sugar Ray Leonard, 24, the World Boxing Council welterweight champion, a virtuoso boxer with stunningly swift hands and a made-for-television smile. In the other corner, Roberto Duran, 29, the former lightweight titlist, a Panama City ruffian with manos de piedra (hands...