After Hearns/Duran

The 1st time was back 7 odd years ago, when he came over here for the Buchanan meet up & then 2 southshields for all the local lads, it was an incredible expeareance, (I'am going too keep some names off of here for privacy reasons) a great feller from the Northeast actually flew out too Panama, he was a Duran nut himself & just decided too go & do it, well next thing yer know he's got Duran too come over & advertised the dinner show in the boxing press, as you never ever really think these things are possible, it's one thing seeing yer idol on TV but too actually breathe the same air as the guy, no words can describe the euphoria, so this starts the ball rolling & now you've got Duran/Leonard/Hearns/Tyson ect all doing the circuit & this was all down too the feller in the North East.

I'am obviously not his friend as such but was fortunate enough too be in his company at a private club party in London a few years back, he's a loverly genuine charector, full of love & as decent as they came BUT there's another side too him if he gets a little pissed off, he can be a little unpredictable, it's hard too put yer finger on it, but he can speak a little english if he wants too, he loves talking about his lightweight days & all the women his ****ed down the years & all the boozy party's & forget about knife & forks, it's hands on the food litually, i obviously just enjoyed being there with a grin from ear too ear, but there's most definatly a presence about him, you know he's there. People from Duran's background have a different take on life, everyone in Panama is poor & he's never forgot it & still relates too it, primo,primo $$$$, you fight for pay.

I've a boxing memorabilia company hence i wanted too get near duran so he could sign some original boxing posters for me, not for free of coarse & he's no bother, I hated having too put the New Orleans poster too him too sign but he did'nt care about it, i'd got leonard too sign it also as it was too be sold at a charity ball.

All in all, he's an enigma, he'll do you any favour & would go out of his way too help you, but for us in the WEST who've never really expereanced the mind bending poverty & crushing existence that passed as an upbringing for these people, we'll never understand that over there it's win or starve, boxing ai'nt viewed as a sport as such it's a chance too make $$$$$ so you can eat another day, it's black & white, on & off with him, thats how he is.

I've a friend in Miami who's a big corporate lawyer, (you can PM me after i've spoken too him) he fought Duran over 3 rounds, you paid duran for the opportunity, he was at harvard & was a world ranked kick boxer, the moment the 1st bell went, my friend told me that Duran absolutly smashed the **** out of me, my arms were numb for 2 months + broken ribs, straight after the exhibition Duran put his arms around my friend & said "I'am so sorry" but i had too do this, when i am in the ring i have too fight like this as i fight as you are trying to steal my wife my kids my food of the table, i must do this.

I'am really hoping he comes over next year to the UK as it'll be a life long HIGH point too be able to bring him down to my town but a friend of mine from essex who had brought him over has warned me about getting extra insurence cover as Duran likes too smash up the odd 5* hotel room, what the **** do you say too him?:scaredas: oi duran, behave yerself:rofl

 

He blows every penny, his wife gamble's every penny, he gives every penny away if he see's a begger, + he's always been ****ed over with tax prob's, the IRS rebated him a few million$$ he was'nt entitled too, he blew that in record time & cound'nt get out the U.S, i went too the Joppy fight in 1998 at the Hilton, it was heartbreaking, Duran owed the IRS another $250K or there abouts, so Duran was thrown into the pit against Joppy, a truly terrible night with Duran being hammered all over the ring & then getting paid ZERO.

 

Duran himself said that he signed the fight because he was offered 100 Gs up front for it, and he'd watched Hearns vs. Leonard and thought Hearns was a "chicken" that he could just walk through.

That could be just another epic Duran excuse - that he didn't know what Hearns was really like, and that he didn't prepare properly and only did it for a payday, etc.

 

He said that Hearns "just knocked me silly with that right hand" or something close to that. They were both classy guys IMO.

 

If my recollection is accurate, Manny claimed that Hearns walked up to Roberto and pulled his hat down over his eyes and Duran just walked away. He also said that Duran always seemed unsure around Tommy, that Tommy just had his number between the ears.

Many buy it. I have doubts.

 

.... yer an odd feller.

 

I'm happy he's here, CP. He has removed any taint of bias on my mantle about Duran.

 

thanks mate, hard to believe someone doin that to Duran, with no repercussion.
But even arguello said Duran was just the way he was in front of the cameras.

He said how duran chased him, then told him it was just to hype up a fight.

But yeah not sure if duran played it up

 

Duranimal: Amazing post, very interesting. Thank you.

I'll tell you an interesting story. Ten years ago I produced a documentary on Larry Holmes. I had a ton of time with him and got to know him extremely well. Larry was about 50 at the time but still a huge guy who worked out in the gym every day and took zero ****. He was also funny, warm and would give you the shirt off his back. We spoke all the time and remain friends to this day.

Larry owns a few office buildings in Easton, PA and one of them has a resturant called Round One. It is where he has his annual Christmas party for family and friends and I went that year. There is a local university in the town and before Larry showed up there were a few football players hanging out by the front, three really young, big guys that were drunk and simply acting out of line. I was at the bar watching this unfold which gave me a terrific , direct view to the front and the front door opening.

Larry walks in, by himself, and at first is greeting those closest to him in a great mood. Then he steps in to see the drunk three. This is the interesting moment. I watched as a light switch of sorts went off in him. The look in his eyes got fierce and without blinking or missing a step he grabbed them and threw them out onto the street, kicking the last one in the ass as he stumbled out the door. There was absolutely no hesitation in his actions. Keep in mind these were big guys and he was over 50.

My point is I get what you are saying about Duran as Holmes clearly has it as well.

 

OK Mate: My O My, Larry Holmes eh, jeezus your letter has opened up some identical/similar memories, there are only few of us on here that are interested in the fighters phyche which too me is just, if not more interesting.

Yeh, Larry is as good as an example as with Duran too that dark force that lurks just below the surface within them that was proberbly driven by their struggle too get out of poverty & that on/off switch that can be flicked in a second the moment any percieved threat/insult is interpreted as a challenge regardless of their age.

Way back in 1989 in Las Vegas the night before the Leonard/Duran 3 fight i managed too get hold of some tickets for a Max Smelling tribute night at the Sands, all the stars were in attendance, it was one of those "open bar" jobs & what with it being my 1st time in the states/vegas well, i was just gob smacked & star struck & thats where i met Larry, i told him we were over from England & asked if i could have my pic taken ect, he said sure & why not bring yer friends into the champions bar where i'll be singing latter, now we are all in dream land as it was an invite only job for the VIP's, anyway we're in there necking our bud's galore & Larry's singing away with his group then in comes Tyson & his crew who sit down right at the front, well it did'nt take 2 minutes for Larry too start the ball rolling for a potential riot.

He introduced Tyson over the mic & congratulated him for being the champ & said yeh you kicked this old man's ass BUT (Now speaking slowly) i tell you know your'e a lucky young kid as if you'd fought me when i was the champ you'd be at my feet, (something along those lines) my mate said too me, ****in hell, it's going too kick off, Larry eyes just bored down into Tyson who was sat with a girl on each leg & it all seemed like slow motion but i'll never forget larry's face, i'am sure he was a split second from just jumping down & laying into tyson, ****in sureal moment, split second silence before the storm, then one of Larry's band said HEY CHAMP give us a song & that broke the moment, thank **** for that we all thought:scaredas:

Yeh, you've seen that look:yep what we're saying'll go over most heads but thats what interests me most about these warrior's, very special & very dangerous, real life & mixing with joe public is a form of permanent/on going rehabilitation for them as they'll never/can't lose that killer in them & i suppose thats what made them the exceptional champions they were. Holmes/Duran: pea's from the same pod.

I've been trying too explain this phyche too some people on here with regards too fighting for PAY$$$$ they just don't get it, Larry was an example as well when it came down too the $$$$, it's understandable, there upbringing haunts them & it goes without saying yer had a great time with the champ but here's a question for you: DID YOU REALLY FEEL YOU GOT CLOSE TOO HIM? AS IN CUTTING TO THE UNDERBELLY OF THE MAN:think we're there certain issue's/subjects that sparked a change in him towards you as for example i.e( Marvin Hagler, he's totally paranoid that everyone is out too screw him.) Did larry give you full editorial licence as such.

 

Mr Duranimal. You're some lad.

 

I've been meaning 2 ask you about some of your pics as you know i prowl the depths of the underworld searcing for boxing pics but you must have found a gold seam i hav'nt located yet, SO SHARE

 

Duranimal: You completely getv my point. The way the guy did not even blink, a natural hesitation for most human beings when caught off guard, was very interesting to watch. I am sure Duran is the same ... a different breed of conditioned response ... Cheers !

 

I get them from different places. Just gotta do some gold digging. I trim some of mines as well if they are rectangle horizontally.

I do have some classics of Duran, Hagler, Hopkins, Whitaker, etc.

 

He Grant: Yes,that's it! Thats the string i've been looking for...Cheers:good