By David Martinez / dmboxing.com
This edition of “Pages From The Scrapbook” features my pre-fight article on three fights – dated June 23, 1986.
The Las Vegas triple-header card is – Thomas Hearns vs. Mark Medal / WBC Super Welterweight Championship, Barry McGuigan vs. Steve Cruz / WBA Featherweight Championship, and Roberto Duran vs. Robbie Sims / 10 Round Middleweight Bout.
*** FLASHBACK – This article originally appeared on dmboxing.com on November 4, 2009
NOTE: Jim Amato is a friend and has contributed to dmboxing.com since 2008. His opinions and input are honest to the highest of quality. His expertise in boxing is second to none and his work is respected by all. To view all of Jim’s article’s – go to the Categories menu section and click onto his name.
By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer
With all due credit, Manny Pacquiao is on top of today’s boxing world. He is the “Man”. His destruction of Oscar De La Hoya drove the “Golden Boy” into retirement and put Manny as the #1 fighter pound for pound in the world today. His hammer job on the formidable Ricky Hatton put an exclamation point on his current status.
*** FLASHBACK – this article originally appeared on dmboxing.com on September 30, 2007
By David Martinez / Boxing Historian
Who was the greatest lightweight ever? To answer that question, and I have been asked this many times the same, my answer remains the same – there were actually two of them and in my life time I had the pleasure of able to see one of them – Roberto Duran.
The other was way before my time and he was Benny Leonard who fought from 1911 to 1932, a superb boxer puncher who dominated the lightweight division in his era.
Roberto Duran (nickname Manos de Piedra – Hands of Stone) is undoubtedly the greatest lightweight (135 lb) champion of our time and, at the peak of his career, definitely ranks in the top 10 best pound-for-pound boxers ever.
He fought the best fighters such as Hiroshi Kobayashi, Ken Buchanan, Esteban DeJesus, Ishimatsu Suzuki, Ray Lampkin, Carlos Palomino, Sugar Ray Leonard, Wilfred Benitez, Pipino Cuevas, Davey Moore, Marvin Hagler,Thomas Hearns, Iran Barkley, Vinny Pazienza, Hector Camacho, and William Joppy – just to name a few.
In February 1968 Roberto Duran has his first professional fight and won thirty in a row leading up to his first title bout in June 1972, where he defeated Ken Buchanan for the WBA Lightweight championship. Duran made twelve successful title defenses before giving up his champion’s belt in February 1979 when he moved up in weight to the 147 pound welterweight class.
Continue reading The Greatest Lightweight
Manny Pacquiao
photo courtesy
Ray Luna
NOTE: this is article #4 of a series of eight for your enjoyment from boxing writer Jim Amato. The articles are listed (in order) below and will be featured from September 2009 through November 2009 with each article based on these boxing greats had they met at the peak of their careers in the ring:
1) Jerry Quarry vs. George Foreman
2) Carlos Monzon vs. Gene Fullmer
3) Joe Frazier vs. Ron Lyle
4) Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran
5) Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
6) Nino Benvenuti vs. Vito Antuofermo
7) Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Alexis Arguello
8) Ray Mancini vs. Harry Arroyo
By Jim Amato
With all due credit, Manny Pacquiao is on top of today’s boxing world. He is the “Man”. His destruction of Oscar De La Hoya drove the “Golden Boy” into retirement and put Manny as the #1 fighter pound for pound in the world today. His hammer job on the formidable Ricky Hatton put an exclamation point on his current status.
What if there was a fighter named Roberto Duran roaming the boxing landscape today ? I’m talking about a lean, fit and motivated Duran. The Duran who defeated the talented Esteban DeJesus in their rubber match at 135 pounds. The Duran that practically shut out the gritty Carlos Palomino and handed the gifted Sugar Ray Leonard his first loss at 147 pounds. How would Manny match up with THAT Duran ?
Continue reading WHY DURAN WOULD HAVE GOT PAST PACMAN
By David Martinez / Boxing Historian
Who was the greatest lightweight ever? To answer that question, and I have been asked this many times the same, my answer remains the same – there were actually two of them and in my life time I had the pleasure of able to see one of them – Roberto Duran.
The other was way before my time and he was Benny Leonard who fought from 1911 to 1932, a superb boxer puncher who dominated the lightweight division in his era.
Video #1
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdCeA-FpdiI]
Roberto Duran (nickname Manos de Piedra – Hands of Stone) is undoubtedly the greatest lightweight (135 lb) champion of our time and, at the peak of his career, definitely ranks in the top 10 best pound-for-pound boxers ever.
He fought the best fighters such as Hiroshi Kobayashi, Ken Buchanan, Esteban DeJesus, Ishimatsu Suzuki, Ray Lampkin, Carlos Palomino, Sugar Ray Leonard, Wilfred Benitez, Pipino Cuevas, Davey Moore, Marvin Hagler,Thomas Hearns, Iran Barkley, Vinny Pazienza, Hector Camacho, and William Joppy – just to name a few.
In February 1968 Roberto Duran has his first professional fight and won thirty in a row leading up to his first title bout in June 1972, where he defeated Ken Buchanan for the WBA Lightweight championship. Duran made twelve successful title defenses before giving up his champion’s belt in February 1979 when he moved up in weight to the 147 pound welterweight class.
Continue reading The Greatest Lightweight