As the taller [Donny Lalonde] began to wear down in the middle rounds, he legs became shaky, and when he missed, he often missed wild. His mouth was open, and he gasped for air. Seconds after Leonard was down, and referee Richard Steele had administered the eight-count, Lalonde charged Leonard like a wild man.

In the eighth, Lalonde could only hold on, helpless against the increasing tempo of a now fully confident Leonard. Lalonde's last flurry was late in the eighth, when he caught Leonard with a right that momentarily stunned him.

PHOTO: Sugar Ray Leonard is restrained by referee Richard Steele after he knocked down Donny Lalonde in 9th to win title fight.; PHOTO: Sugar Ray Leonard packs a powerful punch that connects to the head of Donny Lalonde in title fight. / United Press International; PHOTO: (Orange County Edition) Donny Lalonde is on the canvas in 9th round after being knocked down by victorious Sugar Ray Leonard Monday night. / United Press International; PHOTO: (Orange County Edition) Referee Richard Steele holds Sugar Ray Leonard after boxer stopped Donny Lalonde in 9th round Monday night at Las Vegas. / Associated Press