I think I read in Lightning Strikes that Buchanan's medical exam showed he had a ruptured testicle. In any case, Duran should have given him a re-match IMO. Buchanan was a great fighter and wasn't doing that bad against Stone Hands.
As much as I love Duran there's no doubt after watching the video that he hit Ken hard and square below he belt. He also got away with quite a bit of dirty tactics during the match that he referee should have called him on such as pushing Ken over he top rope with his gloves underneath Ken's chin more than a few times. Considering that Duran was the challenger he seems to have been given a lot of leeway regarding this. At any rate it almost seems that Duran was frustrated with the fact that no matter what he did Ken wasn't going anywhere and if not actually winning was certainly hanging in there and putting up a very good fight. It almost looks as if Duran's street mentality came through and he hit Ken low as if to say "I've had enough of you you mother f---er, take this!). I don't think it's any coincidence that Duran didn't fight him again. As undeniably great as Roberto was I think he was more comfortable fighting guys that weren't as frustrating as Ken was. Fighers that "Followed the script" so to speak. Sheer speculation I admit but food for thought nonetheless.
Buchanan displayed greater resistance to Duran's punches than any other of Duran's opponents, title defenses, that is, and Edwin Viruet made it to 15 because he was on his bicycle so much, and there was also a possible exception with Leonicio Ortiz, who made to 15 before going down from a body shot, I believe.
I think all the talk about Duran being afraid to take the rematch is complete B.S bucannan was never in the first fight, duran was a savage that night and ken could never beat duran, duran was just to good , ken may have been a good fighter but duran was and is a all time great in the truest sense of the word