The Viruet Brothers 'The Thorn in Roberto Duran's Side'

April 27, 1978

A very good fight at Madison Square Garden as Roberto Duran (142 lbs.) finds out that
the Light-Welterweight Division is not going to an easy 'Walk Through Central Park'.

Suprisingly, the 26 year-old Adolfo (141 1/4 lbs.) is able to 'stick' his right jab in the face of Roberto
with ease, which frustrates the former World Lightweight Champion.

As Roberto loses his 'cool' and agrressively charges in to throw bombs, Adolfo
'pot shots' Roberto with straight left hands to face, which brings the Puerto Rican
fans inside Madison Square Garden to their feet cheering.

Good for Roberto, that Adolfo had 'no power' in his fists, otherwise there may have
been some trouble for Mr. Duran.

Roberto's harder punches win him several of the 'close' rounds, as Adolfo is scoring,
but just isn't busy enough for the judges.

Several times throughout the bout, Adolfo suprisingly stands toe-to-toe with the
hard hitting Panamanian, inviting Roberto to 'slug-it-out'. When they do, the
exchanges are fairly equal, as Roberto is unable to hurt the stylish boxer.

The fighters stay toe-to-toe though many of the late rounds, as Adolfo lands his
left hand leads, and Roberto works the body.

Scorecards;
Referee - Arthur Mercante (7-2-1)
Judge - Tony Castellano (7-3-0)
Judge - Arthur Aidala (6-4-0)

As usual with Roberto Duran and The Viruet's, after the bout there was an
in-ring brawl.

 

The befrore fight 'press conferences' were always great.

Roberto Duran taking on the whole Viruet Family.

Then after the fight ended in the ring, the 'after fight' brawls were
worth the price of admission.

Classic

 

Thursday Night - April 27, 1978

Madison Square Garden

I saw the bout on Televsision, which was either on MSG or ABC-TV.

No video has ever surfaced.

This content is protected

Edwin Viruet, Adolfo's brother was at ringside, yelling at Roberto all night.
Edwin really got under Roberto's skin.

Adolfo who had beenout of the ring for 1-year, showed great stamina and
courage, as he was willing to trade with the (142 lb.) Duran.

Adolfo a southpaw, was anot a big puncher, but could land agood stiff
straight left hand when he wanted to.

Duran was the effective aggressor, but Adolfo circled to his right, which
opened Duran up for his straight left hands, which he nailed an incoming
Duran with several times.

There were several good exchanges, but Duran never seriously threatened
in hurting or dropping Adolfo, who stood up to the task.

The best round was the 8th, as Adolfo opened up with a great left hand
to the chin, that buckled Roberto's legs, and one of his knee's just barely
touched the canvas.

But Roberto slowly worked himself back, to get into the 8th, and stung
Adolfo at end the end of the round with a great combination.

In Round 9, every time Adolfo would land a good punch, Roberto would
come back with his own hard combination.

The 'final round' Roberto was just a bit busier, and suprisingly, Adolfo
landed the harder punches.

The Associated Press scored it 6-4-0 for Roberto Duran.

It was an entertaining, and a very good bout.

 

dpw417

You can try.........Adolfo Viruet Madison Square Garden youtube

If it comes up, Round 8 is the best round.

Adolfo came out of his corner and stayed along the ropes, as Roberto came out
and crossed the ring charging.

Roberto was looking to unload a hard right hand, and while he was loading up,
Adolfo slid to his right, then shot a straight left hand down broadway, and caught
Roberto square on the chin while he was coming in.

Roberto's legs buckled, and it looked like his right knee and right glove touched the
canvas.

It could have been ruled a 'flash knockdown', but Referee - Arthur Mercante missed it.

Roberto spent the next 2-minutes chasing, and getting tagged with stiff right jabs.

But, Roberto came on strong during the last 25-seconds, and landed a great combination
that stung Adolfo near the end of the round.

After the bout, Adolfo's trainer - Joe DeMaria claimed it was a 'knockdown', and that
Arthur Mercante missed it.