Duran-Leonard I: 'The Brawl in Montreal' - Part two

Roberto Duran vs Sugar Ray Leonard I: "The Brawl in Montreal." Watercolor paint and ink on 10" X 13" cold press paper. Art commission by Coyote Duran

When we last tuned in, then-undefeated WBC welterweight titleholder Sugar Ray Leonard was getting his head handed to him by arguably the greatest world lightweight champion of all time, Roberto Duran, fully rendered in 2H graphite on cold press watercolor paper.

Well, joy of all joys, this sucker is finished (watercolor paint and black ink) and getting prepped to send to its owner Mike Downie, in Texas. SO MANY apologies for this being so late! But it was so much fun to render! I'm so grateful for these challenge commissions!

If you don't follow me on Instagram, please check out the following process photos!

Duran-Leonard I: 'The Brawl in Montreal' - Part one

Roberto Duran vs Sugar Ray Leonard I: "The Brawl in Montreal." Graphite (2H) on cold press watercolor paper, prior to watercolor paint and ink, 10" X 13", art commission by Coyote Duran

It was actually almost a year ago when I created the first piece in what now would become a series for one customer, a friend of mine, Mike Downie from Texas (a watercolor and ink rendering of the classic battle between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns, seven minutes and 52 seconds of beautiful violence, known simply as "The War). Months later, Mike would commission a brand-new piece, evoking another classic battle from the early-1980s - June 20, 1980, to be exact - the first meeting between arguably the greatest world lightweight champion of all time, Roberto Duran, and then-undefeated WBC welterweight titleholder Sugar Ray Leonard.

The 15-round championship bout ended like few anticipated, with the villainous "Hands of Stone" holding his hands high in triumph before flipping off Leonard's then-wife Juanita. Although, Leonard would authoritatively avenge the loss, via eight-round stoppage, five months later in New Orleans, Louisiana, the ink in boxing's history books is indelible. Roberto Duran handed Sugar Ray Leonard his very first professional loss.

Now, regarding this piece, if this scene looks familiar but doesn't (if that makes sense) is because had I replicated the photo reference Mike provided, I would have had to render both Duran and Leonard much smaller, resulting in much unused space between them. So I took a little "artistic liberty" and shortened the space between the two, thus substituting Duran's long right hand, down the pipe, into something of a tight hook (more of a cross, since Duran is a right-hander). If it's difficult for you to visualize, just consider Duran's right elbow being at close to a 90-degree angle from his right fist, if that makes sense.

Again, I had to go full pencil rendering on this piece in its layout stage (with my trusty, true-blue Alvin Drafting leadholder, loaded with 2H lead on Strathmore cold-press watercolor paper), simply because it looks dope, Howlers.

Anyhoo, it's off to the paint and ink stage now but before you jet, if you haven't seen them just yet via my Instagram feed, here are the process photos: