Roberto Duran's comeback victory over defending WBA 154 lb. champion Davey Moore in 1983 is my ALL-TIME favorite fight. Duran literally took Moore apart up in New York, and Moore was never the same fighter ever again.. I don't want to hear any excuses about Duran thumbing Moore in round one; Duran took away Moore's title belt fair and square... However, referee Ernesto Magana was truly clueless on that night...:hey MR.BILL
Davey Moore's career took a crap after his comeback win over a shot-to-hell Wilfred Benitez over in Europe... Moore got himself killed by his own car on a drive-way near or at his house... Supposedly, his car began to roll down the hill from a parked position and, Moore got behind the vehicle to support it, but lost his footing and wound up underneath the car and dragged downward to the road... He was dead on the scene...... MR.BILL
It was hardly "fair and square", though Duran did indeed ruin him, using every cheap trick in the book. But hey, if he could get away with it, why not? Not one of my favorite Duran performances though.
The fact that there was a thumb in the eye made Moore practically a sitting duck. He wouldn't have been beaten nearly that badly and ruined as a result. I'm sure Duran still would've won, but most likely in the late rounds or by decision, much like Barkley. And what the hell was Davey doing in the ring after he'd had oral surgery just a few days before?
Aside from the supposed early thumbs, he was consistently low-blowing throughout the bout, as well as butting while leading with his head in close. Crafty veteran work, but dirty nonetheless, amplified by the fact that the ref seemed to be taking the night off.
Moore was clearly a skilled fighter in his own right, he just couldn't deal with Duran's tactics. When the fight was clean, Moore was getting his share of licks early on, but he just couldn't hang with Duran on the inside when things got rough and he started to show signs of wear. And of course, Duran turned up the heat as soon as things did start getting rough for Moore. A nasty performance by Duran.
...............He also laced Moore badly, running the inside of his gloves down Moore's face in the corner. Duran was a filthy fighter. He'd have beaten him anyway, but it's a tough fight to watch. One of those I don't care to throw into the VCR. Just another reason to dislike Duran; he would have won anyway, but felt the need to fight dirty. Yawn.
Yeah, I'm not a big fan of that fight either. The combination of Duran's tactics and the toll the fight took on Moore turns me off on that one.
Duran did use a lot of dirty tactics that night, but i still really dont think the fight would be very sickening to watch if it wasnt for the horrible ref. He seemed more sadistic than duran that night.
Duran used the inside of both his gloves to 'lace' Moore at the end of a round. Very obviously as well it must be said.
Why was Duran so hell bent on being such a **** that night? Did he feel the need to win by any means possible to redeem himself?
He'd already beaten Cuevas just prior in convincing fashion, so I doubt it. I think if he knew he could get away with it, why not? Duran was always nasty, and his mean streak came out in full effect that night. He just wanted to show who was boss.