Roberto Duran vs Pipino Cuevas. Simply two or three years earlier, an absolute dream match, however now a gathering of ex-champions, if not has-beens; two as soon as proud warriors, each legendary, each now seemingly on their technique to retirement. Had they clashed in 1979, they might have sold-out nearly any stadium in Latin America or the U.S. At the moment they had been among the many most feared fighters in all of boxing, icons revered of their respective residence nations of Panama and Mexico.
Pipino Cuevas had impressed awe throughout his reign because the WBA welterweight champion of the world, breaking jaws and ribs as he knocked out a protracted listing of contenders and former champions, together with Angel Espada, Randy Shields, Harold Weston and Pete Ranzany. However he had since been humbled by Thomas Hearns and in 1981 struggle followers had been shocked when unknown Roger Stafford trounced him and received a unanimous choice.
For his half, Roberto Duran had been wandering by way of the wilderness because the shame of his defeat to Sugar Ray Leonard in November of 1980. Having stop in opposition to his nemesis in New Orleans, Duran was barely welcome in his residence nation of Panama, and he had since suffered losses to each Wilfred Benitez and, in a surprising upset, fringe contender Kirkland Laing. Evidently, the inventory and marketability of each Pipino and Roberto had plummeted, a reality evidenced by their modest purses of fifty grand plus a reduce of the gate. Two or three years earlier than, a Duran vs Cuevas showdown would have meant million greenback paydays.
A lot was at stake that night time in Los Angeles. A win for both meant renewed credibility and a future probability at a world title, whereas a loss meant catastrophe. However this duel was as a lot about nationwide pleasure and Latin machismo because it was about future alternatives. Cuevas had been publicly questioning Duran’s macho credentials for a while, sneering on the Panamanian for his pathetic exhibiting within the Leonard rematch, his supervisor even writing a problem to “Manos de Piedra” that was revealed in Ring journal. The promise of some critical motion in a grudge match between two pale however legit power-punchers made the turnstiles sing and a raucous crowd of greater than seventeen thousand Hispanic struggle followers flooded the L.A. Sports activities Area. Each former champions heard the cheers as they entered the ring.
From the beginning this was a take-no-prisoners, macho showdown, each warriors beginning quick and with dangerous intentions. Cuevas stalked behind his vaunted left hook, touchdown it to each head and physique; whereas Duran was by no means damage and acquired residence a few sharp proper fingers, Cuevas received the primary spherical. Within the second Roberto started to ascertain his jab and discover his timing whereas making it clear to all that Pipino’s energy didn’t faze him. The supposedly washed-up Duran had taken Pipino’s greatest pictures and as a substitute of wilting or backing off, he was coming ahead and firing again. On the finish of the spherical he acquired residence a sequence of vicious physique punches.
Within the third, the Panamanian assumed full management as an exciting, toe-to-toe trade noticed Duran rattle his foe with a left hook. Cuevas recovered however then a proper uppercut buckled his knees. To the shock of many, a supposedly over-the-hill former light-weight was, in opposition to a pure welterweight, each extra resilient and extra highly effective.
And just like the Duran of outdated, Roberto didn’t allow a wounded quarry to flee. In spherical 4 he got here ahead fearlessly, placing his punches collectively just like the Manos de Piedra his followers remembered, and a thudding proper to the jaw turned the legs of Cuevas into rubber. Roberto’s follow-up assault drove Pipino right into a nook, solely the turnbuckle stopping him from hitting the canvas. The referee credited Duran with a knockdown and gave the Mexican the eight rely earlier than signaling for the motion to renew. The second he did Roberto pounced, unleashing a sequence of mixtures that left Cuevas on the ground once more. Pipino bravely struggled to his ft solely to see his supervisor, Lupe Sanchez, step by way of the ropes and sign give up.
“My man was damage and I didn’t need him to take additional punishment,” stated Sanchez afterwards.
For the 31-year-old Duran, who scored his 56th knockout in 75 wins, this was an particularly candy victory. Whereas all knew Cuevas was a shadow of his former fearsome self, he was nonetheless a extremely revered macho warrior. A knockout over such a rival meant a big measure of vindication for a fighter struggling to revive his good title. Extra importantly, the win meant a title shot within the close to future. Immediately Roberto Duran needed to be taken severely once more.
“I dedicate this win to the folks of Miami,” stated Duran. “They didn’t lose religion in me when others did.”
Certainly, nearly everybody had dismissed Roberto after his surprising defeat to Laing the yr earlier than, however now he was to battle for younger Davey Moore’s junior middleweight world title. It will show to be a possibility Duran took full benefit of.
However that memorable triumph couldn’t have occurred with out the victory over Cuevas and its significance can’t be overstated. It was the turning level for Roberto, the match that rescued his fame and made attainable all the large fights and nice performances that got here after, the victory that allowed Duran so as to add to his legend and maintain preventing for years to come back. — Robert Portis
