Terry Norris vs Sugar Ray Leonard - Showtime 2-9-91 - video Dailymotion

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Terrible Terry Norris defends his WBC Super Welterweight Title against former champion and coming out of retirement Sugar Ray Leonard on Showtime Boxing from Madison Square Garden in NYC.

Transcript

00:00:00Welcome live to Madison Square Garden in New York City, a shrine which has featured a veritable

00:00:14who's who of boxing greats, including Jack Dempsey, Joe Lewis, and Sugar Ray Robinson,

00:00:20and which tonight is the scene for Sugar Ray Leonard's much-anticipated garden debut.

00:00:25Hello everyone, I'm Bruce Beck, filling in for Steve Albert, whose mother passed away earlier this week.

00:00:33All of us at Showtime would like to express our heartfelt sympathies, our deepest indolences to the Albert family.

00:00:40Tonight at Madison Square Garden, it's Deed vs. Promise, legend vs. champion, Sugar Ray Leonard against Terry Norris.

00:00:47Sugar Ray Leonard, a five-time world champion, descending to a weight class, 154 pounds, where he hasn't been for 10 years,

00:00:55going back to 1981. Tonight he looks to recapture the 154-pound throne.

00:01:02But tonight he goes up against a man as the challenger, Terry Norris, the current WBC super welterweight champion.

00:01:09Working with me tonight, the fight doctor, Ferdy Pacheco.

00:01:12And Ferdy, so often in Ray's past, he has cheated age.

00:01:16Canning tonight against a fighter who's lightning quick and 11 years his junior.

00:01:20Age is a great factor here. Another great factor is the way that Terry Norris handles his pressure.

00:01:26Will he freeze, will he subject himself to gardenitis, will fighting his idol make him fight a different fight.

00:01:31If so, it's going to be a short night.

00:01:33If he, on the other hand, decides to lay it out with the old man and take him to the cleaners, it's a long night for Sugar Ray Leonard.

00:01:38Well, meeting your idol on a street corner is one thing, but meeting him in a 20-foot square ring is quite different.

00:01:44You know, Ray Leonard was Montreal's 1976 Olympic hero.

00:01:49And at that time, Terry Norris was just nine years of age.

00:01:53It's not enough tonight for Terry Norris just to meet Sugar Ray Leonard in the ring.

00:01:57He wants to conquer his hero.

00:01:59And this, something he calls the opportunity of a lifetime.

00:02:03I think winning this fight will put me, you know, on the top.

00:02:14I'll be a shining star.

00:02:16Leonard once was a shining star, you know, and he's a legend.

00:02:19You know, I'll make my place in history, beating Ray.

00:02:22This super welterweight champion is the top gun of the first fighter squadron boxing team based in Campo, California.

00:02:33It's a family affair on this training camp branch.

00:02:36Here, Terry trains with his brother, Orland Jr., a heavyweight contender, under the tutelage of their father, Orland Sr., and trainer, Abel Sanchez.

00:02:46I try to, you know, pull with the rest of the guys and everything, but, you know, you have to, it's not really a team effort here.

00:02:54It's just, once you get inside that ring, it's, you know, it's you, you know, it's, you know, your friends, they can't help you, it's just you, you know, so it's one-on-one, you and your opponent.

00:03:06So, me, you know, I try to look at it that way.

00:03:10Growing up in Texas, Norris was a two-sport star in baseball and boxing.

00:03:16Ironically, a brawl on the diamond alienated him from baseball and launched his pro boxing career.

00:03:22It was apparent from the beginning he had the ring skill to become a top contender.

00:03:26The road to any championship is lined with obstacles that test a fighter's ability.

00:03:36When Norris challenged Julian Jackson for the WBA version of the 154-pound title, he learned that lesson the hard way.

00:03:43But it was that loss that helped Terry build the foundation for his own world championship.

00:04:00It was a dumb mistake, you know, I made a mistake, paid for it, but I rebounded.

00:04:07Three victories later, Norris received his second opportunity at a world title.

00:04:12This time, it was against John the Beast Mugabe for the WBC Super Welterweight Crown.

00:04:18Terrible Terry made no mistakes that afternoon and tamed the beast in one round.

00:04:24In his only title defense, Norris repeatedly floored Rene Jaco en route to a unanimous decision.

00:04:31Now this confident young champion believes he can take advantage of a chink in Sugar Ray's armor.

00:04:41With the Thomas Hearns and the Delon fight, it shows that Ray can't be hit with right hands and drop the right hands.

00:04:51And I think he's vulnerable for the right hand.

00:04:54Right hand by Tommy Hearns.

00:04:56Another one.

00:04:57Another one.

00:04:59Down goes Lear.

00:05:00With a combination from Hearns.

00:05:05Leonard Lear.

00:05:05Leonard Lear's hurt.

00:05:06Gets up, but he is hurting.

00:05:08Get back.

00:05:09Ray is, you know, I guess, you know, trying to hold on to his career, trying to, you know, make a career move to, you know, bring his credibility back up to the top.

00:05:19And he throws, you know, somebody that's going to, you know, me, a champion that's going to, you know, give him a good fight, you know, that's going to give the crowd a good fight and everything and bring the best out of him.

00:05:32You know, I think that's what he's looking at.

00:05:34But like I said, again, you know, he has made a mistake picking me.

00:05:38People ask me before, you know, when Terry was amateur and Terry was beating everybody.

00:05:44And they asked me, what do you think of Terry and Leonard if they have a fight?

00:05:49Automatically, you know, not just saying because he's my son.

00:05:51I just said, Terry, destroy him because Terry's got the killer heart.

00:05:55Terry's got the instinct of kill instinct.

00:05:58Once I heard Ray, I'm going to take it to the limit to finish him off.

00:06:02There's no mercy.

00:06:04I mean, I'm going to do what I have to do to take him out.

00:06:07Terry Norris as he readies for the biggest fight and biggest payday of his career.

00:06:19And, you know, since this fight was announced in late November, his temperament hasn't changed at all.

00:06:24He's been low-key, confident, and professional throughout.

00:06:28You know, Ferdy, Terry Norris may not be a household name, but that could all change tonight just off the Great White Way.

00:06:35He hasn't any idea.

00:06:37If he can be Sugar Ray Leonard, he's on another orbit and another planet.

00:06:40He can say hello to celebrityhood, goodbye to private life.

00:06:44You know, for the past month, Sugar Ray Leonard has been in and out of press conferences, on and off of television.

00:06:50He has been inundated with questions about his past, about his future, and about his source of motivation.

00:06:55You know, the questions continued over and over.

00:06:57And finally, we look for some fresh insight into the man they call Sugar Ray.

00:07:02We turn to a former broadcaster who knows Sugar Ray Leonard very well.

00:07:15Ray, you've accomplished a lot in your life.

00:07:17You won a lot of major fights.

00:07:19You won a number of titles, endorsements, television work.

00:07:23But would you say that boxing gives you the greatest satisfaction?

00:07:28You know, Ray, I think that for the most part, it speaks for itself.

00:07:32I mean, boxing's given me so many pleasures.

00:07:36And not only financially, but I think as far as venturing out to other aspects of life, business, social.

00:07:45And it's always been a priority of mine, and probably always will be.

00:07:53Ray, do you feel like you're just a boxer in life?

00:07:57I mean, is that what you do?

00:07:58Is that what you want to be known as, a boxer?

00:08:01No, I don't, Ray, because if I did, they would put restrictions on my life and my options.

00:08:07I'm a boxer that happened to use what I've accomplished as a vehicle.

00:08:12And that's been the case all my life.

00:08:15All the accomplishments, the fights.

00:08:18Is there one particular moment that is more satisfying to you?

00:08:25When I look back on my career, I think that, you know, winning the gold medal,

00:08:32beating Benitez, winning the world title,

00:08:34coming back to the game I title from Durant,

00:08:38unifying the title against Thomas Hearn,

00:08:41beating Marvin Hagler.

00:08:42Just going against the grain,

00:08:45I get so much satisfaction out of that.

00:08:50Just doing what I want to do, being non-conformist,

00:08:54going against the grain.

00:08:55Ray, out of all the major fights you've had against Durant,

00:08:58and Hearns, Marvin Hagler.

00:09:01Which one is that shining moment?

00:09:03Was it Hagler?

00:09:05Hagler backing up Leonard,

00:09:07into the Leonard corner,

00:09:08short right uppercut.

00:09:10He's nailing him out, Tim.

00:09:14Right to the chin.

00:09:15That's where he has to put that left hand.

00:09:17Leonard, it's a difficulty hazard.

00:09:18He's going to throw the punch out of this corner.

00:09:20Now he does.

00:09:21Trying to bang his way out.

00:09:23Look at that determination out of Ray Leonard.

00:09:25You're talking about a champion.

00:09:28What a display.

00:09:28He absolutely gritted his teeth.

00:09:31Look at him go.

00:09:32I went up against history,

00:09:34the odds, which were totally insurmountable.

00:09:39Everyone.

00:09:41It was like defiance.

00:09:42Ray, you won the Box of the Decade Award

00:09:44against stiff competition.

00:09:47Larry Holmes, Hagler, Hearns.

00:09:50Was that a special moment for you?

00:09:52It was a wonderful feeling, Ray,

00:09:53you know, to be the recipient

00:09:55of the Mark Edison Award,

00:09:57part of the decade.

00:09:59To be among so many great fighters,

00:10:01Hagler, Larry Holmes,

00:10:03Aguero, Duran.

00:10:05I mean, all those guys

00:10:06were well-deserving themselves.

00:10:10And to be selected

00:10:11as the fighter of the decade,

00:10:13words can't describe.

00:10:15You know, Ray,

00:10:16I have the funny feeling

00:10:16that you are a Mark man.

00:10:18I mean, everyone's shooting at you.

00:10:20Welterweights are,

00:10:21middleweights are,

00:10:22light heavyweights,

00:10:23and probably heavyweights are.

00:10:25That must be stimulating,

00:10:27is it?

00:10:28I guess sometimes I do.

00:10:29I feel like a Mark man

00:10:30because there are a lot of guys

00:10:32that want to fight me

00:10:33in the welterweights,

00:10:34middleweights,

00:10:35junior middleweights,

00:10:36light heavy,

00:10:36probably heavyweights

00:10:37because they know beating me

00:10:39means bigger paydays

00:10:41and more celebrityhood

00:10:42for themselves.

00:10:43So, yes,

00:10:43I do feel like a Mark man at times.

00:10:46Look out!

00:10:47He's out, right!

00:10:48This could be stopped

00:10:49at any moment!

00:10:51Right hand!

00:10:52It's all over!

00:10:53It's all over!

00:10:54Sugar Ray Leonard wins!

00:10:56The excitement of

00:11:04someone trying to knock me

00:11:06off my throne

00:11:06is motivation.

00:11:09It's a motivational factor

00:11:10for me

00:11:11because it keeps me sharp.

00:11:12It keeps me aware

00:11:13that, you know,

00:11:16in this game

00:11:17you have to stay sharp

00:11:20not just physically

00:11:21but mentally.

00:11:23Ray, why are you fighting

00:11:24at 154?

00:11:25I mean, you haven't fought

00:11:25there at God

00:11:26since Ayukaluli,

00:11:2810 years ago.

00:11:29Why the change now?

00:11:31Well, in the past, Ray,

00:11:32I fought at a high weight

00:11:34category was

00:11:35because my nemesis

00:11:37were there,

00:11:37my old nemesis

00:11:38were there.

00:11:40Right hand by Leonard

00:11:41and Hearns

00:11:42in difficulty

00:11:43along the ropes

00:11:43another combination

00:11:44punching back

00:11:45but he's wide open.

00:11:48Leonard firing away.

00:11:49Could we see

00:11:50a replay of 1981?

00:11:52Right now,

00:11:53I'm able to fight

00:11:54at 154

00:11:55because it's my natural weight

00:11:56and I feel better

00:11:57and I'm a lot stronger too.

00:11:59Ray, why are you

00:12:00fighting Terry Norris?

00:12:01Why not Julian Jackson?

00:12:03Why not Simon Brown?

00:12:05Another good question, Ray,

00:12:07because people

00:12:07always

00:12:08criticize me

00:12:10or

00:12:11assume that I

00:12:12have picked my opponents.

00:12:14I've never

00:12:14had anything to do

00:12:16with my opponents.

00:12:17The guys that I fight

00:12:17never have,

00:12:19never will.

00:12:20It's just the availability

00:12:21of each particular

00:12:22champion or challenger

00:12:24that's been the case

00:12:25and the reason for

00:12:27Terry Norris

00:12:28is because

00:12:29Terry Norris

00:12:29was available

00:12:30and we were able

00:12:32to reach

00:12:32an agreement

00:12:33very fast.

00:12:35Terry Norris

00:12:36is a guy

00:12:37that's very confident

00:12:37and very talented

00:12:38a guy that

00:12:40I must convince

00:12:41that he can't win

00:12:42and

00:12:43I must dominate.

00:12:45Ray, will Terry Norris

00:12:46give you some sense

00:12:47of direction

00:12:48as far as

00:12:49how far you can go?

00:12:50Will he be a gauge

00:12:51for you?

00:12:52When I go up

00:12:52against Terry Norris

00:12:53and I don't

00:12:54and I'm not able

00:12:55to do what I want

00:12:55to do with him

00:12:56that is a good

00:12:57indication

00:12:57that it's just

00:12:58not there anymore

00:12:59that it's time

00:13:00to move on

00:13:01to other avenues

00:13:04and that's the reason

00:13:05I'm taking this risk.

00:13:07You know,

00:13:07they say,

00:13:07why are you fighting

00:13:08a young guy

00:13:09like Terry Norris?

00:13:10Why are you fighting

00:13:10a young champion

00:13:11like Terry Norris?

00:13:13Because I assume

00:13:14the risk factor.

00:13:14That's what makes me

00:13:15who I am.

00:13:16If I'm not able

00:13:17to dominate Terry Norris

00:13:18the way I want to

00:13:19and the way I should

00:13:20be able to

00:13:21then I will consider

00:13:23other career options

00:13:24but I think I can.

00:13:27Ray,

00:13:27it's been a real pleasure

00:13:28talking to you.

00:13:29You're a great guy.

00:13:30Good luck, champ.

00:13:31Well, thanks, Ray.

00:13:32I enjoyed it.

00:13:32It's great.

00:13:39Ray Leonard's dressing room.

00:13:40Ray being gloved

00:13:41just a couple of moments ago.

00:13:42You know,

00:13:43this room isn't just

00:13:44a place to get dressed.

00:13:45He uses it as a vehicle

00:13:46to win the early rounds.

00:13:48Few boxers

00:13:48use the time

00:13:49any better than Leonard

00:13:50who usually works up

00:13:51an excellent sweat

00:13:52prior to his ring work.

00:13:55Ferdy,

00:13:56how has the public's

00:13:57perception of Ray Leonard

00:13:58changed in recent years?

00:14:00Well,

00:14:00it's diminished greatly

00:14:01maybe by Ray's intention

00:14:02through a series

00:14:03of unfortunate boxing instances

00:14:04like he got rid

00:14:05of Angela Dundee,

00:14:06get rid of Jake Smartin,

00:14:07guys that got him there

00:14:08through some unfortunate

00:14:10domestic troubles,

00:14:11business troubles,

00:14:12television troubles.

00:14:13The perception changes.

00:14:14Not such a nice guy

00:14:14they feel.

00:14:15They boo him because of that

00:14:16but mostly because of

00:14:18really lackluster performance

00:14:20inside the ring

00:14:21the last three times.

00:14:22I mean,

00:14:23the last performance

00:14:24with Duran

00:14:24really brought the public

00:14:25down on him

00:14:26because he ran

00:14:26the whole time

00:14:27and the public

00:14:27doesn't want to see

00:14:28Sugar Ray do that.

00:14:30Ferdy,

00:14:30can he recapture

00:14:31the adulation

00:14:31of the fans?

00:14:33You know,

00:14:34boxing fans are fickle.

00:14:35If you win,

00:14:35if you come back

00:14:36from adversity,

00:14:36if you go way out

00:14:37on the limb

00:14:37and saw it off

00:14:38and win

00:14:39as Ali proved

00:14:40time and again,

00:14:41as Leonard proved

00:14:42time and again,

00:14:42he'd be right back in it.

00:14:43They'd love him again.

00:14:44The big question

00:14:45about Ray Leonard

00:14:46is after five world titles

00:14:47and millions of dollars

00:14:49in earnings,

00:14:50why still fight

00:14:51with the danger

00:14:52of once again

00:14:53re-injuring the eye?

00:14:54I think that maybe

00:14:55that's what irritates

00:14:56the public most of all.

00:14:57Anybody with common sense

00:14:58can tell you.

00:14:59If you've got

00:14:59$50 million in the bank,

00:15:01if you've got

00:15:01celebrityhood,

00:15:02all you can use

00:15:02and you're healthy,

00:15:04why risk your eye?

00:15:05Why risk further

00:15:06injury to your eye?

00:15:07And the only answer

00:15:08I have

00:15:09watching many champions

00:15:10not know how to get off

00:15:11is the very thing

00:15:12that makes them

00:15:13a great champion,

00:15:14makes them fail

00:15:15to believe

00:15:15that they're through.

00:15:16In their heart,

00:15:17they're as good

00:15:18as they were

00:15:18when they started.

00:15:19In their heart,

00:15:20they're champions

00:15:20until they're carted off.

00:15:22It may be it takes

00:15:22a Terry Norris

00:15:23to put an exclamation point

00:15:25to Sugar Ray Leonard's career.

00:15:27That's what we're

00:15:27going to see tonight.

00:15:28This will be the 166th

00:15:30title fight

00:15:31at Madison Square Garden,

00:15:32but only the fourth

00:15:34at 154 pounds.

00:15:36This one for the WBC

00:15:37Super Welterweight title.

00:15:39Let's take a look

00:15:39at the tale of the tape.

00:15:41Well, the tale of the tape

00:15:42shows you one thing

00:15:44spectacularly.

00:15:44Norris 23,

00:15:46Leonard 34.

00:15:46The same height.

00:15:47That's not true.

00:15:49Norris is taller

00:15:50than he is

00:15:50and the weight

00:15:51which was yesterday,

00:15:53but today,

00:15:54rest assured,

00:15:54Sugar Ray Leonard's

00:15:55around 160 pounds.

00:15:57To give you an idea

00:15:57of the gamesmanship

00:15:58of the participants,

00:15:59we have to tell you

00:16:00that the height

00:16:01and reach statistics

00:16:02were given to us

00:16:03by each camp,

00:16:04but they refused

00:16:05to allow Showtime

00:16:06officially measure

00:16:07the principles.

00:16:09A compromise

00:16:09has been made

00:16:10regarding tonight's rules

00:16:11which are approved

00:16:11by the WBC

00:16:12and the New York

00:16:13State Athletic Commission

00:16:14and sanctioned

00:16:15by the WBC.

00:16:16There is a 10-point

00:16:17scoring system.

00:16:18Three judges

00:16:19score the fight.

00:16:20The referee does not.

00:16:21There is no standing

00:16:22eight count.

00:16:22The three-knockdown rule

00:16:23is not in effect.

00:16:25A fighter cannot be saved

00:16:26by the bell

00:16:27in any round.

00:16:29Ferdy,

00:16:30everyone is pointing

00:16:30to the first round

00:16:31as the barometer

00:16:32for this fight.

00:16:33Why?

00:16:34Well,

00:16:34that's exactly

00:16:35where the answer

00:16:36is going to come.

00:16:37Is Terry Norris

00:16:38frozen

00:16:38or is he going

00:16:39to have his jollies

00:16:41getting off

00:16:41on an old man?

00:16:42Now,

00:16:43that first round,

00:16:44if Norris comes out

00:16:45and he doesn't

00:16:45box this fight,

00:16:47then we can see

00:16:47that the fight's

00:16:48going to turn

00:16:49in Sugar Ray's direction.

00:16:50He can dictate

00:16:51the pace.

00:16:51He can do what he wants.

00:16:52But if they come out

00:16:53roaring as Sugar Ray

00:16:54says he's going to do,

00:16:55that's going to be

00:16:56a different proposition.

00:16:57So still,

00:16:58a lot of questions

00:16:58remain unanswered.

00:17:00What about the quality

00:17:01of Terry Norris

00:17:02as a fighter?

00:17:03Has Ray Leonard

00:17:04overstayed his welcome

00:17:05as a fighter?

00:17:06How will the fighters react

00:17:07under the big tent

00:17:08at Madison Square Garden?

00:17:10Many questions

00:17:11at Madison Square Garden

00:17:13tonight.

00:17:21I expect him to be

00:17:23coming out

00:17:23with full confidence

00:17:24and determination.

00:17:26Once he goes flat

00:17:28footed with me,

00:17:28you know,

00:17:29he doesn't have a chance.

00:17:34The type of fight

00:17:35I see with Terry Norris

00:17:36is pretty much

00:17:37a cat and mouse game.

00:17:38I also like

00:17:39chopping a tree down

00:17:40the same principle.

00:17:41You chop down,

00:17:42chop down,

00:17:43the base,

00:17:43the foundation

00:17:44until the head

00:17:45comes down.

00:17:46Now you come.

00:17:50He was definitely

00:17:51one of my idols

00:17:52and still is,

00:17:53you know.

00:17:55Once, you know,

00:17:56once I beat Ray,

00:17:57I won't lose

00:17:58any respect for him.

00:17:59He's a guy

00:18:11that I feel

00:18:11or felt rather

00:18:13that will give me

00:18:14the most.

00:18:15I mean,

00:18:15he will show me

00:18:16where I stand

00:18:17in the 90s.

00:18:17Once we step

00:18:18into that ring,

00:18:20you know,

00:18:20Ray becomes,

00:18:21you know,

00:18:22my enemy.

00:18:23So, you know,

00:18:25there's no mercy

00:18:25inside of those books.

00:18:26We're live

00:18:41at Madison Square Garden

00:18:43in New York City,

00:18:44an arena which has

00:18:45hosted numerous

00:18:45championship fights

00:18:47and will shortly

00:18:47celebrate the 20th

00:18:49anniversary of

00:18:50Ali Frazier 1.

00:18:53Tonight,

00:18:53the tradition continues.

00:18:56The ring legend,

00:18:59Sugar Ray Leonard,

00:19:01will be entering

00:19:02the main arena

00:19:03for the first time.

00:19:04He did compete here

00:19:05in the belt forum,

00:19:06but this is his first time

00:19:08in the main arena.

00:19:10The legend

00:19:11in the most famous arena

00:19:13in the world

00:19:13for the very first time

00:19:14as a combatant.

00:19:16What will the reaction be?

00:19:17The first time

00:19:18is the choice

00:19:19that we make

00:19:19and the choice

00:19:20you'll take

00:19:21would love me

00:19:23that is

00:19:24so just

00:19:25leave me

00:19:26your song

00:19:26just

00:19:27stop talking

00:19:41me

00:19:41around

00:19:42and

00:19:42say

00:19:43for the time I do

00:19:51to see

00:19:52Scattering of boos, some crowd noise, but not near what he's used to getting.

00:20:08He's used to getting a roaring ovation, and it's not that from this garden crowd.

00:20:22Now, Terry Norris, the little-known champion, begins his walk to the ring with dreams of

00:20:38success and fears of failure.

00:20:40The big question is, will he freeze and get Gartonitis?

00:20:44Well, he's walking in with a ghost of some great fighters, Joe Lewis, Marciano, Ali,

00:20:50Frazier, all the great ones, fought in the garden, and they're walking down that aisle

00:20:54with him tonight.

00:20:56Working hard, making no moves every day.

00:20:59It's on my knees every night, you know I pray.

00:21:02I said we pray.

00:21:04Oh, yeah, we pray.

00:21:06We got to pray just to make it today.

00:21:10I said we pray.

00:21:12Oh, yeah, we pray.

00:21:14A silent crowd for the champion, as befitting his unknown status.

00:21:19Hardly any kind of ruffle when he came into the ring.

00:21:23And he captured that championship in March of 1990 over John the Beast Rugavi with a first-round knockout.

00:21:30So, we're getting set to go.

00:21:3212 rounds for the WBC Super Welterweight Championship.

00:21:36Terry Norris and Sugar Ray Leonard.

00:21:38Right now, the ring announcer, Steady Eddie Darius.

00:21:44Live from the Big Apple, New York City's Madison Square Garden.

00:21:49The world's most famous arena.

00:21:51As victory promotions and Madison Square Garden Boxing proudly present the World Boxing Council Super Welterweight Championship.

00:22:01And is approved by the New York State Athletic Commission, the Honorable Randy Gordon Chairman.

00:22:08And is sanctioned by the World Boxing Council, the Honorable Bob Bussey, Supervisor-in-Charge at Ringside.

00:22:16The Chief Physician in attendance at Ringside this evening is Dr. Mary Jordan, along with his two fine colleagues,

00:22:23Dr. Richard Estrico and Dr. Daniel Hamner.

00:22:27The judges, Billy Costello from Kingston, New York.

00:22:31Barbara Perez from Manhattan.

00:22:33And Sid Rubenstein from Albany, New York.

00:22:36The tie-keeper today is Cecilio Tito Petraja.

00:22:41California knockdown seconds.

00:22:43Alternate referee, Joe Santarpia.

00:22:46In the ring at this time, the man in charge of the scheduled 12-round title bout.

00:22:52Referee Arthur Mercanti, Jr.

00:22:55And now, my good friends, introducing the principals.

00:22:59First in the red corner, wearing the solid black trunks.

00:23:04He weighed in at an even 154 pounds.

00:23:09This fine gentleman has 36 wins, one loss, one draw, with 25 knockouts.

00:23:15The five-time world champion from Potomac Maryland.

00:23:20Ladies and gentlemen, here is the challenger, Sugar Ray Leonard.

00:23:25Leonard.

00:23:26And here's the opponent in the blue corner, wearing the white trunks with the red ring.

00:23:34He tipped in at 152 and one half pounds.

00:23:39This young man has 26 wins, 3 losses, with 14 knockouts.

00:23:44From Campo, California, the World Boxing Council super runaway champion.

00:23:49Here is terrible Terry Norris.

00:23:53Norris!

00:23:54Norris!

00:23:55Norris!

00:23:56Norris!

00:23:580

00:24:10Good evening, Saga.

00:24:12Good evening, Terry.

00:24:14Good evening Siga, good evening Terry, you both received your rules early in the dressing

00:24:23room by the WBC and the New York State Athletic Commission.

00:24:26I expect you to obey these rules.

00:24:28Let's have a nice clean fight, touch gloves, good luck to the both of you.

00:24:44Here we go, round number one scheduled for 12.

00:24:51The fighters are using 10 ounce attached thumb gloves.

00:24:55The ring dimensions, 20 foot square ring with a 2 foot apron.

00:24:59Leonard in the black trunks, Norris the champion in the white trunks.

00:25:03Leonard has said he wants to start out fast in this round and catch him if he's cold, catch him now.

00:25:08I don't see him starting very fast right now, but that's Sugar Ray Leonard's style.

00:25:12He measures people, he figures them out, and then he starts to break them down.

00:25:16Inactivity, Norris, 209 days, that translates to seven months.

00:25:20For Leonard, 427 days, 14 months.

00:25:30To the body, Norris.

00:25:32Norris likes to throw three punch combinations, the left, the right, and then a left uppercut, which is unusual.

00:25:42Norris had a big first round against Julian Jackson, and then was dropped and knocked out in the second for the WBA's 154-pound title.

00:26:00He got cocky, he said, and learned a lesson.

00:26:04Ray has not thrown a punch in anger yet.

00:26:08Norris has a famous Sherry Ray jab, started to work.

00:26:12He's been missing, he's just falling it out there.

00:26:14Pretty soon, Sugar will start taking advantage of the distance.

00:26:18Solid body blow landed by Sherry Norris.

00:26:20Norris, and there's the hands piece.

00:26:22A lot of moving, not many punches thrown in this opening round.

00:26:40Norris with an uppercut.

00:26:42And there was a combination I said, a left, a right, and then the left uppercut.

00:26:46He'll do it all night long, keep your eye on that.

00:26:56Sugar man, very cool right now.

00:27:00Sherry Ray Leonard, content to see if this kid can be unnerved or not.

00:27:04Right now, Norris not showing any signs of icing up.

00:27:08Winner's back against the rope, she wasn't hurt at all.

00:27:12Looked a little bit.

00:27:1430 seconds in round one.

00:27:16First good combination thrown by Ray and missed by Miles.

00:27:20Ray having a little trouble with the quickness of Nards.

00:27:26Ray having a little trouble with the quickness of Nards.

00:27:30That's odd.

00:27:40Leonard with a combination.

00:27:42That's what Leonard wanted to do.

00:27:44He likes to steal these rounds by action right at the end.

00:27:48That's his move.

00:27:52That's his move.

00:27:54He's fine.

00:27:56He's got a rickin' for you.

00:27:58Break him down with the jab first.

00:28:00You do not like it underneath.

00:28:02But when you send that right here, he's about to come back with the rope.

00:28:04Break him down some more with that jab, got it?

00:28:06And keep your hands high.

00:28:10Got a rickin' for you already.

00:28:12Perfect, done absolutely perfect.

00:28:16Drink the shield out of it.

00:28:20Grink the shield out of it.

00:28:22Alright?

00:28:24Take the shield out of it.

00:28:26aight, grink the shield out of it.

00:28:36Take that sword for you.

00:28:38Take that sword for you.

00:28:40You know that gong? Do you hear that gong?

00:28:45Okay, that's five seconds. Do you hear it?

00:28:47That gong right there. Five seconds in the ring.

00:29:03Round number two.

00:29:05Both fighters very composed between rounds.

00:29:08And if the first round is considered the barometer, Ferdy, how did you read it?

00:29:11Well, I read it that Ray waited way too long to get started.

00:29:14Let the other guy lead in offense. Let the other guy lead in landing all kind of punches.

00:29:20And lost the first round.

00:29:23Leonard going to the body.

00:29:25And working at Norris against the rope.

00:29:27Well, Sugar Ray is in here to put this guy out as fast as he can.

00:29:31He landed a good right hand to the head.

00:29:33Norris shook it off, but he certainly felt it.

00:29:38Norris has said he's content to mix it up. He will not run.

00:29:44He is coming forward. Ray's fighting in retreat.

00:29:48But that's nothing new for Sugar Ray.

00:29:50And he can burst forth with a volley of shots like this about nobody else in boxing.

00:29:55Ray went down to the body thinking he's down in home cooking territory and all of a sudden got two shots to the head in exchange.

00:30:11And Norris smiled.

00:30:12Like saying, this is hand speed, Ray.

00:30:19Trainer Abel Sanchez has been working on Norris' power during the last year.

00:30:22Norris cannot reach for those punches.

00:30:28An experienced player like Ray will make him pay for it if his reflexes are here tonight.

00:30:33Step back.

00:30:34When I said break, that's it.

00:30:35Norris did a nice job kicking off Ray's punch.

00:30:36Way off balance where he shot his counterpunch and almost popped across the ring and around on his feet.

00:30:39That's not good.

00:30:40He's got to maintain his balance.

00:30:41Get a little cooler.

00:30:42He's getting too crazy here.

00:30:43Norris fighting a little bit too close.

00:30:44He's got to maintain his balance.

00:30:45Get a little cooler.

00:30:46He's getting too crazy here.

00:30:48Norris fighting a little bit too close.

00:30:50Got to get settled down.

00:31:11Nice return by Sugar Ray.

00:31:12One shot in the land.

00:31:14Briskly enough to make any difference to Norris.

00:31:1745 seconds round number two scheduled for 12 for the wbc super welterweight championship

00:31:25leonard to the body of the series low punch and a warning by the referees low punch by leonard

00:31:31leonard going to the body this round willing to sacrifice his own head to land some hard body shots

00:31:40a lot of head games going on out there a lot of head games

00:31:4710 seconds inside of 10. leonard to the left hand let it stumble back

00:31:58and off of the recant he sends leonard to the neutral corner as the rounds are up to a close

00:32:03but here's the mandatory eight let me tell you i'm just firefighting do that again i'm just firefighting

00:32:17all right

00:32:34let's look at the knockdown leonard was getting a little too frisky here this is not quite as much

00:32:39as it is he's lost his balance he went down on one glove you see he's grabbing around but don't

00:32:45make any mistake about it that's because he got hammered by norris let's take another look at it

00:32:49norris's quick hands are beginning to pay off and leonard's age is beginning to show

00:32:56he warned norris for being disqualified he does it again he said i will disqualify you to do it again

00:33:08well that's what happens when you're in with a legend you're so anxious to get this thing over with

00:33:13but once leonard's blood touched the canvas he was down so there was nothing else he could do

00:33:19about it oh what an awkward shot by norris leonard in trouble against the roof

00:33:25norris landing the right hand terrible punishment being inflicted by norris

00:33:33hammering shots to the head nothing back from leonard

00:33:36now leonard is setting his trap but he has been hurt that's leonard's

00:33:45leonard cannot get away from this young guy there's the uppercut by norris with two minutes

00:33:50and ten seconds to go around three showboating again that showboating is good when you got

00:33:55reflexes to go with it but sugar's showing his age

00:33:58he's looking to land that uppercut that uppercut was the thing that did the damage on ray

00:34:17when's the last time you saw ray miss like that

00:34:21and he has come from behind on numerous occasions the question is has age taken its toll

00:34:41he's not attacking he's just standing there looking letting sugar ray recover himself

00:34:54bad mistake on the part of norris who should have sworn

00:34:56he's just standing there

00:35:01dark landing to the head hard shots he'll follow that with an uppercut here pretty soon

00:35:06solid body blow close to being a low blow

00:35:09that's close it's hard touches to the body and that hurts when you're 35 years old

00:35:18watch your head

00:35:19eggs belly

00:35:23if norris get that combination off that he's looking for

00:35:27he's looking for that left and then a hard right and the uppercut

00:35:31he's looking for it and he should be burying his attack right now he's carrying the round b

00:35:38coming up on 20 seconds in round three for the wbc super welterweight championship

00:35:43this is when ray puts on the gas with 12 seconds left

00:35:53good combination first to the body then to the head

00:35:56and then get that hook

00:36:08keep your hands up

00:36:16get that hook look at these shots that uppercut is what's going to knock sugar ray leonard out

00:36:34if he continues in this way it's landing and it's landing with force a devastating punch

00:36:39especially for a man that's taking such a wearing out as uh sugar ray leonard is right now

00:36:46here's birdie's scorecard through the first three rounds that 10-8 round is going to loom big

00:36:57you scored the third round the third round is 10-9 okay third round is 10-9 that's an error it's 30-26

00:37:09leonard comes out looking in the fourth round

00:37:16curious in activity in the part of norris who's had this all his own way but no sense to let leonard

00:37:24back in the fight

00:37:29but that is the trademark of sugar ray leonard he comes back right when you think he's gone

00:37:33he's going to be bouncing around for no reason at all he can't get off good shots when he's bouncing

00:37:40he doesn't need to be bouncing in front of uh sugar ray he'll time those bounces and bopping real good

00:37:58good

00:38:05right now what's happening to leonard as he's getting out speeded in counterpunch when he

00:38:09leaves he gets gone and that's something that sugar has rarely experienced in his life

00:38:16ray has always had the speed has always had the counter punching ability and now he's in with a kid who's

00:38:21faster than he is and apparently is not afraid of

00:38:31norris demanding hand speed with foot speed and performing well he's just trying to tire out

00:38:40leonard missing with a bomb and then a little bit low in that last body attempt

00:38:44he's just trying to figure out how to counter punch him and he can

00:38:56a swift three punch combination by norris

00:39:01leonard has not shown the ability to hurt norris yet no there's been no punishment inflicted on norris of a

00:39:07a meaningful kind every time leonard's gone to the body he's got counter to the head so he's

00:39:13leaving that territory along look at the quickness and the slipping ability of terry norris

00:39:26coming up on 30 seconds into this the fourth round

00:39:28a fight which has been dominated by terry norris thus far

00:39:47leonard landed but he takes the fight for it

00:39:58he's got a fight for it

00:40:13what you doing?

00:40:14headbutt

00:40:16keep breathing

00:40:17keep breathing

00:40:19keep breathing

00:40:19all right

00:40:20all right

00:40:21all right

00:40:23all right

00:40:25thank you

00:40:27All right, you're doing perfect, you're doing perfect, you're doing perfect, you're doing

00:40:37perfect.

00:40:38Work on it, work on it.

00:40:42Make it stick, make it move.

00:40:44All right.

00:40:45When you run, you stop, make it move, make it switch, and he'll give you that fire.

00:40:50All right, stick it up, stick it up, stick it up, stick it up.

00:40:55Hold on, how can I do it?

00:41:02Bruce Beck and the fight Dr. Kurti Pacheco at Madison Square Garden.

00:41:06We move to the fifth round.

00:41:08Terry Norris and Sugar Ray Leonard.

00:41:10Fourth round of game for Leonard.

00:41:12He did all of the fighting, all the attacking, but that was on purpose from the part of Norris.

00:41:16Again in the corner, he said, that's what we want you to do now.

00:41:19Run around, get the old man tired.

00:41:21Let this guy think he's catching you and then move.

00:41:24Which is a pretty good way to fight a 35-year-old fighter, but when you got him off, he was knocked out.

00:41:29I questioned it a great deal.

00:41:30I mean, why not take him out now?

00:41:31Why wait?

00:41:32Leonard is Leonard, no matter what.

00:41:34No matter how old he is, good job.

00:41:36And the one concern in the Norris camp has to be the carelessness that Norris has exhibited on occasion.

00:41:44He did against Julian Jackson.

00:41:46After, I mentioned again, he won the first round, he went down.

00:41:49That's it.

00:41:50Well, we can't get careless here.

00:41:52He's in with a guy who shoots the punches.

00:41:54Leonard landing to the body.

00:41:57Nice combination by the Sugar Ray.

00:41:59There's some blood streaming from the mouth of Sugar Ray Leonard and they're swelling over the left eye.

00:42:14That's a stupid strategy to go on the ropes and let Sugar punch you.

00:42:18You're not that good a defensive fighter because Sugar knows how to finish people on the ropes.

00:42:23If that was a planned strategy, it was dumb.

00:42:26On the part of Norris and his corner.

00:42:28Norris is doing that.

00:42:29Okay, right out here in the middle of the ring.

00:42:31Out speeding Leonard.

00:42:32That's where he should be.

00:42:41Norris was much busier in the earlier round, the first rebound.

00:42:44Well, the corner slowed him down.

00:42:46Told him to give him a movement.

00:42:47They started doing these things that he didn't need to do.

00:42:49He doesn't need to give Leonard movement.

00:42:51He needs to stand there and fight with him.

00:42:56He's getting careless.

00:42:57Norris is getting careless.

00:43:01And Leonard is starting to find the range a little bit.

00:43:06Inside a minute, in the fifth.

00:43:10There's a crunching left.

00:43:12Great shot by Norris.

00:43:14Sent water spraying all over the ring.

00:43:18I'll tell you what.

00:43:19There's going to be one tired man if this goes to 12 rounds for Leonard.

00:43:23He's making Leonard work for it.

00:43:27Leonard reaching.

00:43:28Very uncharacteristic of him.

00:43:29Little bit of a breather.

00:43:30That bouncing is absolutely meaningless.

00:43:31Undercut.

00:43:32Leonard again playing games with Terry Norris.

00:43:36Every time Leonard goes to the body, gets hooked to the head.

00:43:43And it lands.

00:43:48Gaines with Terry Norris

00:43:53Every time Leonard goes to the body gets hooked to the head

00:44:11But you've got to do it behind again

00:44:13Keep up looking you gotta aim him toward corners

00:44:15He cannot get off the corner

00:44:17Leave him in them goddamn corners babe

00:44:19Keep that pressure on him with his hands

00:44:21Keep that pressure on him

00:44:23Come on baby what do I ask you guys to do up here

00:44:25What do I ask for

00:44:27Give it up

00:44:29Alright

00:44:31Round 6

00:44:33Let's take a look at how good

00:44:35A counter punch of Norris is

00:44:37Just when he thinks

00:44:39There's a good left hook

00:44:41Before Sugar got set to go the left hook went

00:44:43And every time he goes to the body

00:44:45Sugar goes to the body gets hit to the head

00:44:47Another look at it Ferdy

00:44:49This is a look at how he effectively uses that hook from outside

00:44:51Although I thought that was an even round

00:44:53Because Sugar held his own

00:44:55And landed some pretty good shots

00:44:57And it was

00:44:59The momentum is

00:45:00Evening out

00:45:01Norris lost this enormous momentum that he's had

00:45:05He's still ahead

00:45:0749-46 on my card

00:45:09But he's got to get busy like he was before

00:45:11He's got to change the momentum back to the way he had it to begin with

00:45:15This is round 6 scheduled for 12

00:45:17This is round 6 scheduled for 12

00:45:19For the 154 pound title on the WBC

00:45:21By the way junior middleweight and super welterweight are the same weight 154

00:45:27Ray bleeding from the mouth

00:45:31He's blinking a lot from that left eye

00:45:33Which seems to be having a little lump under

00:45:35A little redness under his left eye

00:45:37Norris is unmarked

00:45:39Another leaping hook

00:45:43Which caught Sugar going back

00:45:45Sugar's legs are not what they used to be

00:45:47He doesn't bounce back

00:45:49He hasn't got great balance right now

00:45:55That's a crunching body club

00:45:57That sounded like a hit a face drum

00:46:03Now Norris back on the attack

00:46:05More interested in fighting now in the middle

00:46:07More interested in getting hard punches off

00:46:13A lot of faking and feigning going on

00:46:25Ray missing badly

00:46:27Trying to find the solution here

00:46:29Trying to find out why he can't hit this kid

00:46:31But not being able to

00:46:33Norris just dancing out of the way

00:46:35Or landing hard counter punches

00:46:36There was a hard jab

00:46:44Now that jab is not getting through now

00:46:46No but it's getting

00:46:48Discombobulating with Ray's timing

00:46:50As long as that goes on

00:46:52Nothing

00:46:53Norris says nothing

00:46:54Nothing landed and it was nothing

00:46:56Good exchange by both fighters

00:47:00Ray caught him and got caught in return

00:47:02And got caught in return

00:47:12Norris very confident

00:47:14Very patient bird right now

00:47:16It's almost as if he knows something we don't know

00:47:18It's almost as if he's got some kind of guarantee in the corner

00:47:20That if he goes to the late rounds

00:47:22That if he goes to the late rounds he can take out Sugar Ray

00:47:24That's exactly what trainer Abel Sanchez said

00:47:26If we get to 8 to 12

00:47:28It's our fight

00:47:30I don't think he should be waiting for 8 to 12

00:47:32I think he should get him out now if he can

00:47:38Ray is swallowing with a lot of blood

00:47:40That weakens you

00:47:41Oh good shot by Ray

00:47:42Leonard landing a combination

00:47:44Norris backing up a little bit

00:47:46One good shot by Ray

00:47:48One good shot by Ray

00:47:50But that does not win the round for you

00:47:52Step back Ray

00:47:54Five seconds lever

00:47:56Here's the comeback by Norris

00:47:58Here's the comeback by Norris

00:48:00Here's the comeback Ray stop

00:48:06Anytime you find out that way

00:48:08Anytime you find out that way

00:48:10Anytime you find out that way

00:48:12Anytime you find out that way

00:48:14Time to help out with your hands up

00:48:16Ray then you gotta talk

00:48:17Ray

00:48:18I need more pressure on this kid

00:48:19Keep your jab working to get inside

00:48:21I want you to cut your right hand to the body

00:48:23Come back with the hook

00:48:24Now make him move into the overhand right off the jab

00:48:26But wait till you got him in the corner

00:48:28And know he gonna side over

00:48:30Your hook is payday anytime you want his foot

00:48:32But get your jab established first

00:48:34Alright

00:48:35You got water

00:48:37Give me a bucket

00:48:45You're doing good

00:48:46You're doing good

00:48:48Go perfect

00:48:49Go perfect

00:48:50Go perfect

00:48:51Go perfect

00:48:52Thanks

00:48:53Thank you

00:48:54You're doing good

00:48:55You're doing good

00:48:56Now that's the early renovated Madison square

00:48:58The IVF Walter Wade champion will be fighting on the undercard

00:48:59of the balance between Tyson and Ruddick

00:49:00He'll be taking on Maurice Blocker

00:49:01That's March 18th

00:49:02That's March 18th

00:49:03Seventh round Ferdie we're halfway through

00:49:06Reece Blocker, that's March 18th.

00:49:11Seventh round, Ferdy, we're halfway through.

00:49:13That last round I gave to Norris again.

00:49:16Norris had taken all the round before Sugar managed an attack.

00:49:20And then again, Norris managed an equal attack toward the end of the round.

00:49:26Is Norris trying to find some time now?

00:49:28Norris apparently has been told the longer it goes, the better it is for you.

00:49:33So don't take chances, don't play with them, just keep winning the round.

00:49:37One knockdown of this fight, came in the second round.

00:49:40Norris knocking down Sugar Ray Leonard.

00:49:43He staggered him in the third, but Ray did not go down.

00:49:47Ray has been down in almost all of his fights except the Durant fight where he ran the whole time.

00:49:51And even then, when he stopped the fight, he got his eye split open and his mouth split open.

00:49:57Now his mouth is open.

00:49:59As he cut his mouth is bleeding, they're trying to stop it, but he is swallowing blood.

00:50:04Right hand by Norris, got through the gloves of Leonard.

00:50:09Leonard's corner has been pleading with him to jab, but Leonard cannot establish a jab.

00:50:14Something that he is famous for.

00:50:19He's trying to throw a right hand lead.

00:50:21That was sloppy that time.

00:50:30Action is slowed up by Norris' choice, he just doesn't fight enough.

00:50:35Leonard's trying to crawl back into this fight.

00:50:38But the kid won't let him, as soon as he launches an attack.

00:50:40Step back down to stance as Norris, and there's nothing to hit but air.

00:50:44Well, there's no question that Norris can go the distance if he has to, and go very, very effectively.

00:50:53And there's the pesky jab.

00:50:55Double jab that time.

00:50:56Double, triple, quadruple, most of them landed.

00:50:59There they are again.

00:51:00And Leonard can't manage anything but a weak, pawing jab, like you just saw right then.

00:51:05And try a straight.

00:51:06Right hand lead.

00:51:08Landed once, second time with golf.

00:51:12So a different Norris in the seventh round.

00:51:14More jabbing.

00:51:15Just out jabbing, Ray.

00:51:17He's just out jabbing him.

00:51:19And it is the picture illustration of youth over experience.

00:51:24And now a hook as he saunces around the ring.

00:51:27There's a solid jab.

00:51:32And a right hand, and Leonard moves down.

00:51:35Three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

00:51:44Ray got up very weary.

00:51:46Leonard trying to come back with ten seconds to go in the round.

00:51:53Leonard is weary.

00:51:54Leonard trying to survive the round.

00:52:00And he will.

00:52:05And Leonard shakes his head like Sam boy.

00:52:08What a long night this is going to be.

00:52:10You can't lay and wait on him.

00:52:12You just get off.

00:52:13Stop doing it, Carlos.

00:52:15Give me that goddamn one.

00:52:17Come on, now.

00:52:18See, by making him busy, you caught him with one.

00:52:20Hey, you can't pause in front of the kid.

00:52:21The only reason we're down is because you have to go.

00:52:24Now get off, damn it.

00:52:26You're fired.

00:52:28Here's the knockdown, Bertie.

00:52:31Let's take a look at him.

00:52:32Watch the trap that Norris sets for him.

00:52:34See, Norris keeps saying, come on to the ropes.

00:52:36I got something for you.

00:52:37Leonard has no alternative, but you're going in and trying to catch him.

00:52:40Now when he does that, watch the trigger fast.

00:52:42That was a left jab that set it up.

00:52:45Now watch the trigger fast.

00:52:46Punch it comes up.

00:52:48Right there, the right hand.

00:52:50And down goes Leonard.

00:52:52It's more of a crumple down than a knock down, but Leonard, all his circuits get shorted.

00:52:56And ladies and gentlemen, what you're looking at is an old fighter who has no reflexes and no legs left.

00:53:01Leonard has gone down in three of his last four fights, but he has not lost any of that.

00:53:08Well, if Leonard is looking for an explanation, a reason, or a convincer to retire, so far this night is a wonderful, wonderful convincer.

00:53:16You should take this tape and look at it a lot.

00:53:18This is the eighth round, scheduled for 12.

00:53:22Terry Norris has knocked down Leonard in the second and the seventh rounds and has a commanding lead by the scorecard from the fifth.

00:53:3069-63, unofficially, but oh, not a good right hand by Norris.

00:53:35I cannot think that the judges here can look at this as anything but a one-way whipping by Norris.

00:53:42This much different than the Hearns fight when Tommy had Leonard down twice.

00:53:49And Ray came back.

00:53:53To get a drill.

00:53:56Look at the body goes by Norris.

00:53:58There are people behind me screaming stop the fight.

00:54:01But it's not yet at that point. Sugar is always dangerous, even on the ropes, even in his bad condition, even as old as he is, he's dangerous.

00:54:08Great!

00:54:11For those of you who think that experience overcomes youth, take a look at this fight.

00:54:17Look at Norris, bubbling Leonard with a right hand.

00:54:20Ray in deep trouble here.

00:54:23All the experience in the world is in helping Sugar, who is taking a fearful puddling from this young champion.

00:54:31Norris patiently biding his time, trying to be cautious.

00:54:34He doesn't want to land into one of Leonard's traps.

00:54:40Minute 20 in the eighth round.

00:54:42Been all Norris in this draft.

00:54:44Been all Norris throughout the fight, except for a couple of moments.

00:54:49A gloomer by Ray like that one.

00:54:51Norris countered.

00:54:53Norris countered.

00:54:59Norris countered nicely.

00:55:01Although Sugar Ray must have managed to try to come back and land in one great shot on Norris.

00:55:05Now he's starting to fight back some.

00:55:06Leonard may start having to think about a knockout, that might be his only reach of victory.

00:55:20As the rounds get over.

00:55:22Leonard landing.

00:55:23Leonard landing.

00:55:27And he just sensed that Norris is waiting for his opportunity for an upper ball.

00:55:34Leonard showing a charge that has made him a great champion, but is it going to be enough?

00:55:43Norris is taking all of those shots very well, and smothering Ray when he gets started.

00:55:48Final seconds of the eighth round.

00:55:53This crowd's coming alive as Leonard, he just tripped over Norris' feet.

00:55:58Fatigue with two seconds to go in the round.

00:56:01And Leonard gets through another.

00:56:02That he ain't.

00:56:03He's our machine.

00:56:15N spanning jerry walk EM ihn get inside baby.

00:56:18He ain't coming at me, I'm telling you.

00:56:20You have to let your hand go when you get inside.

00:56:22What do I ask for for you?

00:56:24What do you want to ask for brat.

00:56:25What do I ask for?

00:56:29baby we gotta stop you gotta stop you gotta stop now you got a right hand is getting home now

00:56:34your right hand is getting home babe i cannot have you laying back you understand that give

00:56:37me that goddamn install right here right here yeah i got it right there put it down leave it

00:56:41there hey i'm here right there okay okay we got this airplane but do it off you're dead

00:56:47and you get inside walking he can't stand the pressure i'm telling you he's not the man you are

00:56:52well here's birdie's scorecard through eight a seven point margin for norris meaning that

00:56:57leonard can only knock out his opponent to win this fight remember this is unofficial and remember

00:57:02judges like old champions they just can't believe their eyes we saw battered leonard though between

00:57:08rooms battered weary discourage

00:57:16but he's been a great champion he's the fighter of the decade champion of the decade in the 80s

00:57:23and he's come into the 90s but he's come in carrying a load of years and a load of punches

00:57:29and leonard's quote going into this fight this will show that we're all fans in the 90s

00:57:35and the new york fans are now getting behind leonard i believe trying to get him to come back

00:57:40they're rooting for the underdog they always do especially oh nice right hand by leonard

00:57:46although norris was going away so he didn't have a flexibility

00:57:55norris countering again with a solid blow to the hand the story of the fight

00:57:58she just waits for leonard to come and then that little hook encounter

00:58:02and when he gets the uppercut it rattles that counter is so quick it's intuitive

00:58:07it's almost as if he's inviting that part he's saying come on because i got something better for

00:58:12you when you come on

00:58:15leonard's got a great heart nobody can doubt that

00:58:20leonard just won't give up

00:58:21that's what made him a great champion

00:58:27gonna try to load up on a hook but missing again norris goes to the bouncing while away the round

00:58:33kind of thing figuring he's got two knockdowns he's got a reason to be cocky he can allow away these rounds

00:58:44he is so multi-dimensional as a fighter he showed us a jab an uppercut

00:58:47he's doing everything and doing it at different times yeah he's fixing up his game plan so that

00:58:53leonard can't talk he can't time him he really doesn't know what he's doing he's coming at him from

00:58:58all angles with all punches and those body punches accumulate they last again to the wee hours of the

00:59:04morning inside a minute in the ninth round

00:59:12nothing happening this round if you had to score it so far you got to give it to leonard because he's

00:59:16attacking although he's missing badly

00:59:20now norris with 39 40 seconds left has got a mouth from attack or loses

00:59:27there's a three-touch combination put together by terry norris

00:59:32upstairs to the right hand the crowd groaned because that was so easy

00:59:37easy

00:59:53great just can't get off

00:59:54nice round drawing to a close

01:00:14how do you feel son how do you feel good you look good you look good you should feel good huh

01:00:21you got three rounds left there three rounds left make him work all three rounds all right busy as hell

01:00:32okay all right okay stay on it don't give him no round

01:00:36all right don't give him no round

01:00:46okay it's working now it's working it's working

01:00:48it's working it

01:01:02Bruce back of the fight dr ferdy pacheco 10th round schedule for 12 leonard comes out for the flurry

01:01:08here

01:01:11leonard might letting it all hang out right now

01:01:14well he landed two great shots and it didn't move north but they were beauty

01:01:18humdingers ray came out and caught north co

01:01:25north a young champion won the title seven months younger than ray leonard won his first title

01:01:31well they talked about this kid icing up and he is ice cold but not from tension

01:01:36he just seems in command of the fight

01:01:38and confident that he can go out

01:01:41and he got a victory

01:01:42win an ample victory

01:01:44he fights what he wants to fight

01:01:46he wants to blow the round he does

01:01:47and he wants to fight hard he does

01:01:48he is dictating the pace of this fight

01:01:51two big rounds for Norris

01:02:03second and seven for the knockdown

01:02:05he has dictated this fight

01:02:07and his face is virtually unscathed

01:02:11as he lands a right to Leonard's face

01:02:13which has looked bad

01:02:14and two other cuts before that

01:02:15to set up the right hand

01:02:16Leonard looks a little bewildered right now

01:02:19again the blood coming from his mouth

01:02:21those punches were big punches

01:02:23Leonard taking a pounding

01:02:26when Norris comes on

01:02:27Leonard almost saying

01:02:31shrugs almost saying

01:02:32hey this is the best I can do

01:02:34a big right hand

01:02:35hey I'm sorry but this is what it is

01:02:37and he comes off in 30

01:02:40Leonard is fighting like his last fight

01:02:45and Norris is fighting like he knows it

01:02:48pool is a cucumber

01:02:55that's how you got to characterize the champion

01:02:57Norris just waiting there now

01:02:59they're both big statues

01:03:00that's not good

01:03:02not good for Norris

01:03:03inside a minute in the 10th round

01:03:07a right hand by Norris

01:03:08just when Sugar gets a little bit of confidence

01:03:12he gets nailed

01:03:13another right hand by Norris

01:03:15the referee looking very close now

01:03:17I mean Leonard looks frustrated

01:03:20perplexed

01:03:21he'd like to get out of here

01:03:22but he doesn't know how

01:03:23three big rights in this round

01:03:27by Terry Norris

01:03:28Leonard is trying everything he knows how

01:03:32what a heart on Sugar Ray Leonard

01:03:36he just won't quit

01:03:37even though he knows he's beating

01:03:39how many times has Sugar Ray Leonard pulled him out

01:03:49how many times has he come back

01:03:50from this edge of defeat and pulled it out

01:03:53I don't think so tonight

01:03:54it's a different letter

01:03:55final second to the 10th

01:03:58now good action round

01:04:01you've got to put pressure on this kid

01:04:20when you're backing up

01:04:20you've got problems

01:04:21you've got to put pressure on

01:04:22you got that baby

01:04:23okay

01:04:24now look here

01:04:25here's Norris

01:04:26stitching out some more punishment

01:04:27look at the punishment

01:04:29Ray just look at Ray's face

01:04:31it's almost a mask of fatigue

01:04:34it's almost embarrassment

01:04:36he just doesn't know what he can do

01:04:37with this young guy

01:04:38look at it

01:04:39it's

01:04:40I'm sorry

01:04:41that's pathetic

01:04:41I can't

01:04:42it's hard to see

01:04:43hard to see

01:04:44let's take a look at it

01:04:49from another angle

01:04:50and I hope we don't get to see his face too much

01:04:52that right hand goes right through there

01:04:54great champion like Leonard

01:04:56but it's like all great champions

01:04:58they come to the point of reality

01:05:01they don't have it anymore

01:05:03this is the 11th round for the WBC Super Welterweight Championship

01:05:07the champion Terry Norris

01:05:09loading up on Sugar Ray Leonard

01:05:12could this be the end of an era

01:05:14Leonard great

01:05:15don't count him out yet

01:05:16we've got 11 and 12

01:05:17never count out Sugar Ray Leonard

01:05:19he got 11 and 12

01:05:21his punches got zipped

01:05:23they're just not landing

01:05:24they're not aimed

01:05:26they're not landing where they're aimed at

01:05:29Norris a solid body blow

01:05:31well he just kept his gut jab in there

01:05:38great falling back

01:05:40he's faking it

01:05:41he's faking enough

01:05:42but he hasn't gotten hit right now

01:05:43but he is a beating the entire fight

01:05:44those punches to the side

01:05:47hurt Leonard now

01:05:48wearing his youth

01:05:49he laughed the ball

01:05:50he is now looking

01:05:53he's faking though

01:05:54right now

01:05:55watch Leonard come back

01:05:56with a volley

01:05:57he's letting

01:05:58setting this kid up

01:05:59if he can land

01:06:01he can turn this around

01:06:02blood from the mouth of Leonard

01:06:12this is not a good sight

01:06:13no

01:06:14at this point

01:06:15this is close to being stopped

01:06:16yep

01:06:17he wants to quit now

01:06:19at this point

01:06:20it's no trap

01:06:21there it goes

01:06:21but it's no trap

01:06:23he can't do it anymore

01:06:24see there you go

01:06:24he's saving

01:06:26he's husbanding himself

01:06:27for a blow

01:06:28and then he can't land

01:06:29is this like Ali Holmes

01:06:30birdie

01:06:31yes it's like Ali Holmes

01:06:33it's like Joe Lewis

01:06:34and Marciano

01:06:34all these champions

01:06:36come back to the garden

01:06:37and many times

01:06:38they end up leaving this arena

01:06:40as losers

01:06:41but right now

01:06:42Norris doing what he wants

01:06:43and it's heartbreaking

01:06:44to people who love

01:06:45Sugar Ray Leonard

01:06:46and love the class

01:06:47he brought to the ring

01:06:48and brought the fierce

01:06:49competitiveness

01:06:50he brought to the ring

01:06:51but he doesn't belong

01:06:52in there anymore

01:06:53he doesn't belong in there

01:06:54tonight with this young

01:06:54champion Terry Norris

01:06:56who looks like he is

01:06:59one heck of a fighter

01:07:00well that will be determined

01:07:02off of what he does

01:07:03after this fight

01:07:03but tonight

01:07:06tonight

01:07:07he was better

01:07:07he was better than Sugar Ray

01:07:08Leonard

01:07:08he was better than Sugar Ray

01:07:13Leonard

01:07:14sliding on a bar

01:07:15once worked in the corner

01:07:30with Sugar Ray Robinson

01:07:31another great

01:07:32and he had a night like this

01:07:34and he said

01:07:35I can see the opening

01:07:35but I can't throw the punches

01:07:37and that's what's happening tonight

01:07:39he just can't get off

01:07:41Ray's brain is telling him

01:07:43there's an opening

01:07:43but by that time

01:07:44it's too late

01:07:45it's gone

01:07:46all of his ring generalship

01:07:50being shown now

01:07:51as Leonard just hangs on

01:07:52for dear life

01:07:53final second to the 11th round

01:07:56will Ray have to pay punishment

01:07:58for three more minutes

01:07:59you had him right there

01:08:12Ray needs your left hook

01:08:13and you had him

01:08:14Ray

01:08:15down here

01:08:16I need a knockout

01:08:18you got it

01:08:19Ray you got to get him out

01:08:21take the hell off

01:08:22off the rope baby

01:08:22give me one more

01:08:24Ray

01:08:26you got to stop

01:08:27you got to stop

01:08:27if you skip hit for good stop

01:08:29we got him home

01:08:30do not stand under

01:08:31here's another one

01:08:31okay

01:08:32keep your hands up Terry

01:08:34woo woo

01:08:37move jab move jab

01:08:38move jab

01:08:39hands up

01:08:40you got it

01:08:42you got it

01:08:43move jab

01:08:53move jab

01:08:54this is it

01:09:03the 12th and final round

01:09:04for the WBC

01:09:05super welterweight championship

01:09:07happy Korea

01:09:08told Ray Leonard

01:09:08he needs a knockout

01:09:09to win the fight

01:09:10I think Ray understands that

01:09:12well a tribute to the heart

01:09:13of a great champion

01:09:14just to be here

01:09:17to round 12

01:09:17is a victory of sorts

01:09:19although bizarre victory

01:09:20because the punishment

01:09:22he's taking now

01:09:23he'll feel later on

01:09:24and he doesn't need it

01:09:26swelling over the left

01:09:29eye of Leonard

01:09:29lots of blood pouring

01:09:31out of the mouth

01:09:32he's just trying to survive

01:09:33this strong ground

01:09:34well

01:09:34we were in a similar fight

01:09:37about a year ago

01:09:38with Julio Cesar Chavez

01:09:39and Meldrick Taylor

01:09:40they told Taylor

01:09:41the same thing

01:09:42they just told him

01:09:42just dance

01:09:43and biff and bop

01:09:44and don't fight

01:09:44with him

01:09:45we got the fight

01:09:45and Meldrick Taylor

01:09:46got knocked out

01:09:47so I wouldn't be too careless

01:09:49if I was Norris

01:09:50I'd keep doing

01:09:51what got me here

01:09:52I keep trying

01:09:55to knock out Leonard

01:09:56as long as you're

01:09:58punching Leonard's not

01:09:59Leonard with a nice combination

01:10:00letting it all hang out

01:10:02nice uppercut

01:10:27at the end of the

01:10:28three punch combination

01:10:29Leonard's left eye

01:10:31swollen

01:10:32that's the one

01:10:33that has damage

01:10:34cut inside the mouth

01:10:36face puffy

01:10:37looking like an agent

01:10:39and beating fighters

01:10:41Morris' battle plan

01:10:43is the perfect move out

01:10:44he's mixed it up

01:10:46when he has to

01:10:47he's landed to jab

01:10:47when he has to

01:10:48his battle plan now

01:10:49is very simple

01:10:50his battle plan now

01:10:53is very simple

01:10:54jab, tie him up

01:10:56don't try to knock him out

01:10:57just last it out

01:10:58and let me tell you

01:11:00if this is a draw

01:11:01or Sugar Ray Leonard

01:11:02with this fight

01:11:03we should all leave America

01:11:04Morris

01:11:08three, four, five punches

01:11:10no answer

01:11:11from Ray Leonard

01:11:12but the will is still there

01:11:14the heart is still there

01:11:1542 seconds to go

01:11:2042 seconds to go

01:11:22maybe 42 seconds

01:11:23in the career

01:11:24of Sugar Ray Leonard

01:11:25that marks the end

01:11:26of Sugar Ray Leonard

01:11:27oh what a shot

01:11:30to the bottom

01:11:31lifted

01:11:32Sugar Ray Leonard

01:11:33legs up

01:11:34and got a shot

01:11:35to the liver

01:11:36paralyzes your leg

01:11:37let's go

01:11:3820 seconds

01:11:3923 seconds to go

01:11:40and Morris

01:11:40feels to look at the clock

01:11:42he's in command

01:11:43nothing has happened to him

01:11:45no mix

01:11:46no bumps

01:11:47no bruises

01:11:48looking at only

01:11:49at the end of the fight

01:11:50but perhaps

01:11:51heard at the end of an error

01:11:52well it's the end

01:11:54of the fight

01:11:54or the 80s

01:11:55because even if

01:11:56he should be foolish enough

01:11:57to take another fight

01:11:58he shouldn't be given

01:11:59a license to

01:12:00he should be

01:12:02he should be

01:12:03nice to go

01:12:04woohoo

01:12:05woohoo

01:12:06woo

01:12:07woo

01:12:08woo

01:12:09woo

01:12:10woo

01:12:11woo

01:12:12woo

01:12:13woo

01:12:14woo

01:12:15woo

01:12:16woo

01:12:17woo

01:12:18woo

01:12:19woo

01:12:20woo

01:12:21woo

01:12:22woo

01:12:23woo

01:12:24woo

01:12:25woo

01:12:26woo

01:12:27woo

01:12:28woo

01:12:29woo

01:12:30All right, now, boy, thank you.

01:12:42Thank you, Bob.

01:12:57Somehow Ray Leonard got through the 12 rounds and is still standing,

01:13:01and I think he may feel that's an accomplishment in itself.

01:13:04It is in a bizarre kind of way, in a left-handed kind of way.

01:13:07He may, if he's filled with enough denial, say, well, I did all right on that night.

01:13:11Maybe on a better night I can get him again, but I certainly hope not.

01:13:14I certainly hope that's not his thinking.

01:13:15We'll see in a few minutes when we talk to him.

01:13:17Of course, the Sugar Man changes his mind a lot.

01:13:19It's in the judge's hand right now,

01:13:21but let's get an idea of what they might be thinking from Ferdy Pacheco.

01:13:25118 to 108.

01:13:27You can see the two 10-8 rounds, actually a third 10-8 round in the 11th.

01:13:31The second and the seventh were knocked down,

01:13:34and the 11th round was very one-sided.

01:13:41Terrible Terry Norris.

01:13:43His face looks awfully good for going 12 rounds.

01:13:47And he's cool, and he's collected.

01:13:49He didn't even look like he worked up a sweat.

01:13:51I mean, he just seemed like he was having a wonderful time.

01:13:56You know, if we can look at these two knockdowns again.

01:13:58All right, let's go back to the second round first, Ferdy.

01:14:00Let's take a look at this.

01:14:01This is when Sugar was very fresh,

01:14:03and all of a sudden gets nailed with a left uppercut.

01:14:06Now, a little kiss there that was not called for.

01:14:10And that forced a warning from the referee, Arthur Mercanti.

01:14:14And then the seventh round, knockout number two.

01:14:16That was a little bit more pronounced because it was a counterpunch,

01:14:21and the counterpunch that he got hit all night long.

01:14:24Let's watch this as he comes up, Lou.

01:14:31And there, Leonard goes down again.

01:14:33Glove touches the canvas.

01:14:34That's the second knockdown in the fight.

01:14:40Foul we're getting set for the official decision.

01:14:43Terry Norris out of Campo, California.

01:14:49Managed by Joe Stajanovich,

01:14:51trained by Abel Sanchez and Orlin Norris Sr.

01:14:54Right now, let's go to Ed Darien for the official decision.

01:15:02Ladies and gentlemen,

01:15:04from Madison Square Garden,

01:15:06the world's most famous arena,

01:15:08the scoring by points as follows.

01:15:11Judge Sid Rubenstein observed 119, 103.

01:15:18Judge Barbara Perez, she watched it at 120, 104.

01:15:24And Judge Billy Costello,

01:15:27he watched it at 116, 110.

01:15:31For the winner, by unanimous decision.

01:15:34And still,

01:15:36the World Boxing Council super runaway champion,

01:15:40Terry Norris.

01:15:41Terry Norris.

01:15:43Terry Norris retains the WBC super welterweight championship.

01:15:55There were many skeptics.

01:15:57Let's listen in.

01:15:58Ray Leonard grabbed the mic from Ed Darien.

01:16:01Ladies and gentlemen,

01:16:02your attention, please.

01:16:03It's Terry.

01:16:04He's been announced it's forthcoming.

01:16:05Ladies and gentlemen,

01:16:06this is the first fight here for the very first time.

01:16:09Unfortunately, I was not successful,

01:16:11but then again, I was successful.

01:16:13I have to turn the baton over to the future world champion, Terry Norris.

01:16:19This is my last fight.

01:16:22Thank you for coming out.

01:16:23God bless you all.

01:16:24The champion passing the torch.

01:16:28A touch of glass by Ray Leonard.

01:16:43Right now, let's go to Bernie Pacheco in the ring.

01:16:47Bernie?

01:16:49You just made an announcement saying this was your last fight.

01:17:01Is this a definitive last fight here?

01:17:03Yes, it is.

01:17:04I mean, it just wasn't there.

01:17:06It's time for young guys to take control of boxing.

01:17:09You know, I had to see for myself whether or not I still had it for the 90s.

01:17:14Terry was too quick.

01:17:16He was too smart.

01:17:17And he was a young chick right there.

01:17:20I think he's going to be better than he was against Julian Jackson.

01:17:23He's going to be tougher to beat now.

01:17:24Do you think that after a fight like this,

01:17:26the encouragement he should have from beating a magnificent fighter

01:17:29as you have been for three decades,

01:17:31now 70s, 80s, and now 90s?

01:17:33Well, if he maintains the same kind of concentration and focus he had for me,

01:17:36he'll beat anyone.

01:17:38That's the name of the game, focus.

01:17:40And also reflexes were the name of the game.

01:17:42That which you made your living on wasn't there tonight.

01:17:45Well, my son called me the old man.

01:17:47Maybe he's right.

01:17:48All right.

01:17:49Let's go to the champion, Norris Terry.

01:17:53Congratulations.

01:17:54You know, you ended the career of a magnificent champion.

01:17:56How do you feel about that?

01:17:58Well, it's a sad victory, really.

01:17:59You're my idol.

01:18:00You know, beating my idol.

01:18:02It's really sad, you know, but he's a great fighter.

01:18:05You know, still my idol.

01:18:06I never lose this victory, man.

01:18:08Never.

01:18:09Did you feel that you were in such control that you could waste a couple of rounds?

01:18:12A couple of times you got in there and you were just kind of playing the round away.

01:18:15Well, first of all, I'd like to give thanks to my Lord Almighty.

01:18:19And that's my power.

01:18:20Thank you, Lord.

01:18:21Indeed it is.

01:18:22Now, repeat the question, please.

01:18:24Were you wasting a couple of rounds?

01:18:26You seemed like you were biffing and bopping where you should have settled down and really

01:18:29tried to take him out.

01:18:30Well, I did a little bit, you know, just to catch my wind, you know, and to move around

01:18:35to see what he had.

01:18:36You know, after dropping him twice, I didn't think he would have that much.

01:18:39The race was still competitive.

01:18:40He was still coming.

01:18:41Well, congratulations.

01:18:42It was an exceptional night for you.

01:18:44You'll have other great nights.

01:18:46We look forward to him.

01:18:47Terry Norris, the champion of the world.

01:18:50And now, back to Bruce at ringside.

01:18:53Thank you, Ferdy.

01:18:54We'll have some final thoughts in just a couple of moments, but we want to remind you that

01:18:59Showtime Event Television, in association with Don King Productions, will present a special

01:19:03pay-per-view event.

01:19:04Former world heavyweight champion, mighty Mike Tyson, versus the number two ranked heavyweight

01:19:08contender, Donovan Razor Ruddock, in a 12-round world heavyweight elimination bout.

01:19:13As always, Tyson has a strong opinion about his opponent.

01:19:17March 18th, Mike Tyson, Razor Ruddock.

01:19:20Razor Ruddock dies.

01:19:21If he doesn't die, it doesn't count.

01:19:23If he's not dead, it doesn't count.

01:19:28And on the undercard that night, WBC and IBF super lightweight champion, Julio Cesar Chavez,

01:19:33will defend his titles against John DuClessis, IBF champion, Simon Brown, versus WBC champion,

01:19:38Maurice Blocker, in a welterweight world title bout.

01:19:41And the hands of stone, Roberto Duran, versus Pat Lawler, in a 10-round super middleweight bout.

01:19:46Remember, that's pay-per-view on March 18th.

01:19:57The champion, Terry Norris.

01:19:59This is just the second loss, the second and final loss, on Sugar Ray Leonard's brilliant record.

01:20:09There was a loss to Roberto Duran in Montreal, June of 1980, when he lost the WBC welterweight title.

01:20:15And there was one draw.

01:20:17Tommy Hearns, in Las Vegas, when he retained the WBC super middleweight title.

01:20:22Take a look at Ray Leonard's son, Ray Jr., watching the final rounds of the career of one of the greatest fighters we have seen,

01:20:30and certainly the fighter of the decade, the 1980s.

01:20:34Sadness, memories, so many things must be going through his mind.

01:20:44Well, tonight we witnessed the passing of the torch.

01:20:46It isn't ironic that a fighter who idolized Ray Leonard is the one that ends his career.

01:20:52So often happens.

01:20:54Marciano grew up with a legend of Joe Lewis in his mind.

01:20:56Hated to do it to him that night, but he had to knock him out.

01:20:58You know, once again, over and over again in boxing, they never learned.

01:21:02Age and experience cannot come up against a good young fighter.

01:21:07The reflex is the name of this game.

01:21:10In Ray's career, he would have been a 10, then this kid is a 5 at this time.

01:21:16But now, as you're looking at him, tonight, Norris was a 10, and Leonard may not even have gotten to 5.

01:21:23Ferdy, we got the feeling from Ray Leonard, however, that he wanted to find out.

01:21:27He had to find out this way for the 90s not to become another decade of Sugar Ray going after opponents time in and time out.

01:21:35Let's hope that money doesn't entice him back.

01:21:38That nothing entices him back.

01:21:40And let's hope that Sugar Ray Leonard is finally gone from the world of boxing.

01:21:44I've been around Sugar Ray Leonard too long to make that kind of assumption.

01:21:47I think he's gone.

01:21:48I think that kind of a beating he doesn't want to take again.

01:21:50It's unfortunate that you have to take that kind of beating for it to be clear to you that you are no longer a fighter.

01:21:58Let's give the champion his due, Terry Norris.

01:22:00He came in with a battle plan. He stuck to it perfectly.

01:22:03Do we know how good Terry Norris is, however, because he fought an aging Sugar Ray Leonard tonight?

01:22:08No, no, no. He didn't beat Sugar Ray Leonard.

01:22:12Like Marciano didn't beat Joe Lewis.

01:22:15Like Holmes didn't beat Ali.

01:22:17They beat what was left of him.

01:22:19He is a good fighter.

01:22:20He is a good champion, but he's going to have to go against the tough guys one right after the other.

01:22:25Now, in order to prove he's good.

01:22:26This opens the door to big dough.

01:22:29Opens the door to fame, to fortune, and to demanding big bucks.

01:22:33But he's got to go out and do it against real strong fighters.

01:22:36It's going to be an interesting season in boxing.

01:22:39If this is the end of Sugar Ray Leonard's career, how would you capsulize it?

01:22:43Charisma, charm, athletic excellence, gentlemanly behavior, a good, good, solid top champion.

01:22:56There was a gentlemanly act, Sugar Ray Leonard, hugging Terry Norris, passing along the plaudits, wishing him the best of luck for the future.

01:23:05But it was too much Terry Norris on this night.

01:23:08Two knockdowns again in the fight.

01:23:10Round two first of all, Ferdy.

01:23:12Well, obviously both of these, Leonard got caught just off balance.

01:23:16He was down.

01:23:17Now that little punch there was, he got warned for, but that's the excitement of the moment.

01:23:22And then when you see the kind of counter punching that Norris was doing, and this happened all fight long.

01:23:29You can see this is his second knockdown.

01:23:31You can see Sugar's right position.

01:23:33The right hand just caves in his legs.

01:23:35That's what happens to an old fighter.

01:23:36You get short circuited.

01:23:38The brain short circuits down to the legs and the legs say goodbye.

01:23:41What is it about this building, Madison Square Garden, that draws fighters to come here and so often late in their careers when the time has passed?

01:23:49Well, if you haven't fought in Madison Square Garden, you feel like you owe it to yourself at least once.

01:23:53It's like playing the Palace was in Vaudeville.

01:23:55You know, it's like being on Broadway.

01:23:57You got to be there at least once.

01:23:59The Garden was the mecca of boxing.

01:24:02Always was.

01:24:03If you didn't get here, you really couldn't say I was a professional fighter.

01:24:07You had to get here from out of town.

01:24:09And Ali fought here and made this place wonderful.

01:24:12So did Dempsey.

01:24:13So did Lewis.

01:24:14So did Marciano.

01:24:15And Sugar Ray missed all those opportunities because the big bucks weren't here any longer.

01:24:19Now he had the opportunity and on the sad side, the legend of great fighters who ended here, who finally got the message from father time.

01:24:28You can't beat me.

01:24:29So if this is the end of Sugar Ray Leonard's career, his mark will end up thirty six, two and one, five world championships, millions of dollars in money.

01:24:37And Ferdy, you hedged a little bit earlier.

01:24:39Do you think this is the definitive end?

01:24:41I think it is.

01:24:42I think I think if he if he even thought of coming back, the press as well as the boxing commission should try to dissuade him.

01:24:50So the era is over for Sugar Ray Leonard, but it is the start of a new era for Terry Norris.

01:24:55How good is he?

01:24:56It may take a little bit of time before we find out, but certainly an impressive win tonight as he retains the WBC super welterweight title for Ferdy Pacheco.

01:25:05I'm Bruce Beck.

01:25:06Thanks for joining us.

01:25:07Good night for Madison Square Garden, the mecca of boxing in New York City.

Terry Norris vs Sugar Ray Leonard - Showtime 2-9-91

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