User:Beast from da East/sandbox: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
==Background== |
==Background== |
||
In December 1982, a fight between former world champions Roberto Durán and José "Pipino" Cuevas was made official. The bout was to take place on January 29, 1983 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on the eve of [[Super Bowl XVII]], which was being played in nearby [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]. The fighters agreed to a catch weight of 150 pounds, between the welterweight limit of 147, where Cuevas spent his entire career, and the super welterweight limit of 154 where Durán was now fighting, though Durán came into the fight 2 pounds over.<ref>[https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/12/02/Roberto-Duran-and-Pipino-Cuevas-once-among-the-best/7143407653200/ Roberto Duran and Pipino Cuevas, once among the best...], UPI article, 1982-12-02 Retrieved on 2024-06-26</ref> |
|||
Earlier in the year, 2-division world champion Roberto Durán had lost to [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] super middleweight champion [[Wilfred Benítez]] in his bid for a third world title in a third different weight class.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/01/31/sports/benitez-outpoints-dur-an-unanimously-keeps-title.html BENITEZ OUTPOINTS DURAN UNANIMOUSLY, KEEPS TITLE], NY Times article, 1982-01-31, Retrieved on 2024-06-23</ref> Having lost his last two world title fights, the 31-year old Durán was thought to possibly be on the decline, though he announced his intentions to continue his boxing career. A rematch with Benítez was discussed, while then-[[World Boxing Association|WBA]] super welterweight champion [[Davey Moore (boxer, born 1959)|Davey Moore]], former welterweight champion [[Thomas Hearns]] and then-undefeated prospects [[Mike McCallum]] and [[Tony Ayala Jr.]] also emerged as possible opponents.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/08/sports/scouting-return-of-duran-inspires-no-fear.html Return of Duran Inspires No Fear], NY Times article, 1982-07-08 Retrieved on 2024-06-23</ref> |
|||
Both fighters were hoping that a victory could launch a comeback as both of their careers had suffered recent setbacks. Cuevas had been inactive for a year after unanimous decision loss to little-known Roger Stafford in what was ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'' magazine's upset of the year for 1981. Meanwhile, Durán had suffered a split decision loss to fringe contender [[Kirkland Laing]] only four months prior, this was ''The Ring'' magazine's upset of the year for 1982.<ref>[https://www.thefightcity.com/roberto-duran-pipino-cuevas-boxing-history-legends/ Jan. 29, 1983: Duran vs Cuevas], The Fight City article, 2014-01-29 Retrieved on 2024-06-26</ref> |
|||
In late July 1982, Durán's next opponents were narrowed down to Moore and Ayala. Durán's promoter [[Don King]] announced that Durán would face Ayala on November 19, while rival promoter [[Bob Arum]] claimed Durán had agreed to face Moore.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/30/sports/sports-people-who-will-fight-duran.html Who Will Fight Duran?], NY Times article, 1982-07-30 Retrieved on 2024-06-23</ref> Days later, Durán admitted that while he had reached an agreement with Arum to face Moore, he would indeed face Ayala for King, claiming the confusion was caused by him being unaware that his former manager had signed a three-fight contract with King earlier in the year.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/08/03/sports/sports-people-contract-confusion.html Contract Confusion], NY Times article, 1982-08-03 Retrieved on 2024-06-23</ref> |
|||
Durán had a lot riding on the fight as a victory over Cuevas all but guaranteed him a title shot against [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] super welterweight champion [[Davey Moore (boxer, born 1959)|Davey Moore]]. Moore had originally been scheduled defend his title against the undefeated up-and-coming prospect [[Tony Ayala Jr.]], but the match was scrapped after Ayala was arrested and charged with the burglary and rape of a young woman whom had been his neighbor.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/28/sports/scouting-big-payday-lost.html Jamaican Upsets Duran], NY Times article, 1982-09-05 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> With Moore suddenly in need of an opponent, Durán stated that promoter [[Bob Arum]] had "promised him" the fight. Arum would confirm the promise following Durán's victory over Cuevas.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1983/01/31/duran-wants-another-title/1e468411-df3e-413c-a5f9-2395dd6a083a/ Duran Wants Another Title], Washington Post article, 1983-01-30 Retrieved on 2024-06-26</ref> |
|||
Before facing Ayala in November, Durán would first take a tune-up fight with Kirkland Laing scheduled for September 4 in [[Detroit|Detroit's]] [[Huntington Place|Cobo Hall]]. While Laing sported a decent 23–3–1 record and had held the [[British Boxing Board of Control|British]] welterweight title, he was completely unknown in the United States and had not faced anyone close to the status of Durán. Laing was given virtually no chance to win and was such a heavy underdog that oddsmakers didn't bother setting any betting lines, while some in the British media called for the fight to be cancelled thinking Laing's life could be at risk against a fighter the caliber of Durán.<ref>[https://www.britishboxers.co.uk/2014/09/nottinghams-kirkland-laing-shocks-roberto-duran-in-the-1982-boxing-upset-of-the-year-full-video/], britishboxers.co.uk article, 2014-09-11 Retrieved on 2024-06-23</ref> |
|||
==The fight== |
==The fight== |
||
In a shocking upset, Laing earned a split decision victory, winning on 2 judge's scorecards by the score of 96–94, while the third scored the fight 96–94 in favor of Durán. Using constant movement and an unorthodox hands down approach, Laing gave Durán trouble throughout the fight as Durán struggled to land any substantial offense. In the seventh Laing was able to land a huge right hand that stunned Durán and controlled the remainder of the fight thereafter, serving as the aggressor and peppering the tired Durán with jabs.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/05/sports/jamaican-upsets-duran.html |
In a shocking upset, Laing earned a split decision victory, winning on 2 judge's scorecards by the score of 96–94, while the third scored the fight 96–94 in favor of Durán. Using constant movement and an unorthodox hands down approach, Laing gave Durán trouble throughout the fight as Durán struggled to land any substantial offense. In the seventh Laing was able to land a huge right hand that stunned Durán and controlled the remainder of the fight thereafter, serving as the aggressor and peppering the tired Durán with jabs.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/05/sports/jamaican-upsets-duran.html Big Payday Lost], NY Times article, 1983-01-23 Retrieved on 2024-06-26</ref> |
||
==Aftermath== |
==Aftermath== |
||
Following his loss to Laing, Durán's anticipated match with Ayala was almost immediately cancelled, as it was thought Durán's poor performance would hurt the marketability of the fight.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/07/sports/scouting-a-lost-payday.html A Lost Payday], NY Times article, 1982-09-07 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> Angered by Durán's loss, Don King stormed into the dressing room after the fight and exchanged words with Durán and his team.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JJFVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6D8NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3841,1281895&dq=roberto+duran+kirkland+laing+don+king&hl=en Duran's dreams suffer knockout],The Windsor Star article, 1982-09-07 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> King then severed ties with Durán stating "I will not stand in his way if he insists on continuing in the ring, but I will not promote him anymore." and urged him to retire "with the dignity his career deserves."<ref>[https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/09/08/Former-lightweight-and-welterweight-champion-Roberto-Durans-loss-last/3920400305600/ Former lightweight and welterweight champion Roberto Duran's loss last...], UPI article, 1982-09-07 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> Durán chose to continue his boxing career and signed with Bob Arum only weeks after the Laing fight.<ref>[https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/09/24/Roberto-Duran-the-former-world-lightweight-and-welterweight-champion/9946401688000/ Roberto Duran, the former world lightweight and welterweight champion,...], UPI article, 1982-09-24 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> The following year, Durán would upset 23-year old super welterweight champion Davey Moore to capture his third world title. |
Following his loss to Laing, Durán's anticipated match with Ayala was almost immediately cancelled, as it was thought Durán's poor performance would hurt the marketability of the fight.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/07/sports/scouting-a-lost-payday.html A Lost Payday], NY Times article, 1982-09-07 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> Angered by Durán's loss, Don King stormed into the dressing room after the fight and exchanged words with Durán and his team.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JJFVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6D8NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3841,1281895&dq=roberto+duran+kirkland+laing+don+king&hl=en Duran's dreams suffer knockout],The Windsor Star article, 1982-09-07 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> King then severed ties with Durán stating "I will not stand in his way if he insists on continuing in the ring, but I will not promote him anymore." and urged him to retire "with the dignity his career deserves."<ref>[https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/09/08/Former-lightweight-and-welterweight-champion-Roberto-Durans-loss-last/3920400305600/ Former lightweight and welterweight champion Roberto Duran's loss last...], UPI article, 1982-09-07 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> Durán chose to continue his boxing career and signed with Bob Arum only weeks after the Laing fight.<ref>[https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/09/24/Roberto-Duran-the-former-world-lightweight-and-welterweight-champion/9946401688000/ Roberto Duran, the former world lightweight and welterweight champion,...], UPI article, 1982-09-24 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> The following year, Durán would upset 23-year old super welterweight champion Davey Moore to capture his third world title. |
||
Meanwhile, hoping to capitalized on Laing's big win and sudden popularity, his manager [[Mickey Duff]] hoped to pit Laing against either of the top two welterweight contenders, [[Milton McCrory]] and [[Donald Curry]], however these fights never came to be. Laing remained inactive for over a year and when he finally returned, he was knocked out by Fred Hutchings. Following the loss to Hutchings, Laing returned to fighting lower-level fighters mostly in his Native England until 1994, never again reaching world title contention.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/28/kirkland-laing-obituary Roberto Duran, the former world lightweight and welterweight champion,...], The Guardian article, 2021-06-28 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> |
Meanwhile, hoping to capitalized on Laing's big win and sudden popularity, his manager [[Mickey Duff]] hoped to pit Laing against either of the top two welterweight contenders, [[Milton McCrory]] and [[Donald Curry]], however these fights never came to be. Laing remained inactive for over a year and when he finally returned, he was knocked out by Fred Hutchings. Following the loss to Hutchings, Laing returned to fighting lower-level fighters mostly in his Native England until 1994, never again reaching world title contention.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/28/kirkland-laing-obituary Roberto Duran, the former world lightweight and welterweight champion,...], The Guardian article, 2021-06-28 Retrieved on 2024-06-24</ref> |
||
Revision as of 00:57, 27 June 2024
| File:230px | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date | January 29, 1983 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tale of the tape | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Durán wins via 4th round TKO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roberto Durán vs. José Cuevas, billed as The Return of the Champions, was a professional boxing match contested on January 29, 1983.
Background
In December 1982, a fight between former world champions Roberto Durán and José "Pipino" Cuevas was made official. The bout was to take place on January 29, 1983 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on the eve of Super Bowl XVII, which was being played in nearby Pasadena. The fighters agreed to a catch weight of 150 pounds, between the welterweight limit of 147, where Cuevas spent his entire career, and the super welterweight limit of 154 where Durán was now fighting, though Durán came into the fight 2 pounds over.[1]
Both fighters were hoping that a victory could launch a comeback as both of their careers had suffered recent setbacks. Cuevas had been inactive for a year after unanimous decision loss to little-known Roger Stafford in what was The Ring magazine's upset of the year for 1981. Meanwhile, Durán had suffered a split decision loss to fringe contender Kirkland Laing only four months prior, this was The Ring magazine's upset of the year for 1982.[2]
Durán had a lot riding on the fight as a victory over Cuevas all but guaranteed him a title shot against WBA super welterweight champion Davey Moore. Moore had originally been scheduled defend his title against the undefeated up-and-coming prospect Tony Ayala Jr., but the match was scrapped after Ayala was arrested and charged with the burglary and rape of a young woman whom had been his neighbor.[3] With Moore suddenly in need of an opponent, Durán stated that promoter Bob Arum had "promised him" the fight. Arum would confirm the promise following Durán's victory over Cuevas.[4]
The fight
In a shocking upset, Laing earned a split decision victory, winning on 2 judge's scorecards by the score of 96–94, while the third scored the fight 96–94 in favor of Durán. Using constant movement and an unorthodox hands down approach, Laing gave Durán trouble throughout the fight as Durán struggled to land any substantial offense. In the seventh Laing was able to land a huge right hand that stunned Durán and controlled the remainder of the fight thereafter, serving as the aggressor and peppering the tired Durán with jabs.[5]
Aftermath
Following his loss to Laing, Durán's anticipated match with Ayala was almost immediately cancelled, as it was thought Durán's poor performance would hurt the marketability of the fight.[6] Angered by Durán's loss, Don King stormed into the dressing room after the fight and exchanged words with Durán and his team.[7] King then severed ties with Durán stating "I will not stand in his way if he insists on continuing in the ring, but I will not promote him anymore." and urged him to retire "with the dignity his career deserves."[8] Durán chose to continue his boxing career and signed with Bob Arum only weeks after the Laing fight.[9] The following year, Durán would upset 23-year old super welterweight champion Davey Moore to capture his third world title. Meanwhile, hoping to capitalized on Laing's big win and sudden popularity, his manager Mickey Duff hoped to pit Laing against either of the top two welterweight contenders, Milton McCrory and Donald Curry, however these fights never came to be. Laing remained inactive for over a year and when he finally returned, he was knocked out by Fred Hutchings. Following the loss to Hutchings, Laing returned to fighting lower-level fighters mostly in his Native England until 1994, never again reaching world title contention.[10]
Fight card
| Weight Class | Weight | vs. | Method | Round | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catchweight | 151 lbs. | Roberto Durán | def. | José Cuevas | TKO | 4/12 | |
| Super Lightweight | 140 lbs. | Sergio Medina | def. | Alfredo Escalera | UD | 10/10 | |
| Bantamweight | 118 lbs. | Daniel Zaragoza | def. | Lorenzo Ramirez | PTS | 10/10 |
References
- ^ Roberto Duran and Pipino Cuevas, once among the best..., UPI article, 1982-12-02 Retrieved on 2024-06-26
- ^ Jan. 29, 1983: Duran vs Cuevas, The Fight City article, 2014-01-29 Retrieved on 2024-06-26
- ^ Jamaican Upsets Duran, NY Times article, 1982-09-05 Retrieved on 2024-06-24
- ^ Duran Wants Another Title, Washington Post article, 1983-01-30 Retrieved on 2024-06-26
- ^ Big Payday Lost, NY Times article, 1983-01-23 Retrieved on 2024-06-26
- ^ A Lost Payday, NY Times article, 1982-09-07 Retrieved on 2024-06-24
- ^ Duran's dreams suffer knockout,The Windsor Star article, 1982-09-07 Retrieved on 2024-06-24
- ^ Former lightweight and welterweight champion Roberto Duran's loss last..., UPI article, 1982-09-07 Retrieved on 2024-06-24
- ^ Roberto Duran, the former world lightweight and welterweight champion,..., UPI article, 1982-09-24 Retrieved on 2024-06-24
- ^ Roberto Duran, the former world lightweight and welterweight champion,..., The Guardian article, 2021-06-28 Retrieved on 2024-06-24