Jacob Duran
Jacob Duran | |
|---|---|
 Duran prepares Gabriel Gonzaga for a match by applying petroleum jelly to his face. | |
| Born | |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Cutman |
Jacob "Stitch" Duran is a professional cutman who works in boxing and mixed martial arts fights.[1] He grew up in Planada, California.
Career
Background
Duran once owned and ran a boxing and kickboxing school in Fairfield, California. He was also one of the very first International Kickboxing Federation promoters in California holding his first promotion back in October, 1992. Duran trained and produced several of the first IKF Amateur Champions such as Randy "Buzzman" Bussart, Mike "Mohamid" Duran, John "Psyco" Parker and Andy "The Sandman" Sanchez before furthering his career in professional boxing and mixed martial arts.[2]
Boxing
In boxing, Duran works on the Klitschko brothers and Andre Ward.[3]
On November 23, 2014 Duran was in the corner of Chris Algieri when he took on Manny Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title at Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort, Macao, Macao S.A.R., China.
On May 29, 2015, Duran was in the corner of Chris Algieri once again when he took on Amir Khan for the WBC Silver Welterweight title at The Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York.
Duran has appeared as a cut-man in two films of the Rocky film series. In the sixth film, Rocky Balboa, he plays the cut-man for Rocky's opponent, Mason "The Line" Dixon (played by real-life boxer Antonio Tarver). In the seventh film, Creed, he portrays himself in a supporting role. When Adonis Creed finally convinces Rocky to train him, Rocky surprises Creed with a corner team, in which Duran is included. During the fight against "Pretty" Ricky Conlan, Creed has been blinded in one eye due to swelling. When Creed is asked by the ringside doctor how many fingers is he holding up, Duran taps the answer on Creed's neck, which lets the fight continue.
Mixed martial arts
In the UFC, Duran was assigned to many of the top fights, working with fighters such as Mirko Filipović, Lyoto Machida, Forrest Griffin and Cain Velasquez.[4][5][6]
He had a cameo role in the Kevin James MMA movie, Here Comes the Boom.
On July 21, 2015 Duran announced via Twitter that he was let go from his job with the UFC due to comments he made about the organization's Reebok sponsorship deal.[7] Many UFC fighters publicly expressed their disappointment in Duran's firing, citing him as one of the best cutmen in the business.[8]
Duran began working with WSOF on August 1, 2015, starting with World Series of Fighting 22: Palhares vs. Shields.[9] In March 2016 Duran signed a contract to join Bellator MMA as a cutman.[10]
References
- ^ Manning, Fiona (2004). Jacob “Stitch” Duran: A Boxer’s Dream. www.eastsideboxing.com. URL last accessed May 5, 2006.
- ^ "About". Stitchduran.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Talkin' MMA with Jacob 'Stitch' Duran". BoxingInsider.com – Boxing News – Boxing Results – Boxing News Leader. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Jacob 'Stitch' Duran is the 'father' of UFC cutmen". Telegraph.co.uk. March 10, 2009. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Meet Chris Algieri's new cut man: Jacob 'Stitch' Duran". New York Post. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Exclusive Interview: Cutman Jacob "Stitch" Duran – Cagepotato". Cagepotato.com. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Jacob Stitch Duran". Twitter.
- ^ "MMA fighters reacts to UFC's firing of cutman 'Stitch' Duran – and it's not pretty". MMAjunkie.com. July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
- ^ "WSOF hires cutman 'Stitch' Duran to work 'Palhares vs Shields' event after controversial UFC release". mmamania.com. July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/31/11339186/cutman-stitch-duran-signs-with-bellator-eight-months-after-being-axed