At the press announcing the fight Duran told Benitez in Spanish he (Benitez) was afraid of him. Benitez answered back, and suddenly Duran's right mano de piedra whistled toward the Benitez chin. Benitez moved to make the punch miss and countered with a right hand that found Duran's right eye and caused a slight welt and redness. Don King was quite worried initially at the possibility of postponement.
Yes, and do you that scene at the end of Leonard I where Duran is at the ropes screaming and grabbing his gonads? That was directed at Benitez who was commentating and stood up to trash talk. Duran hated him. Benitez was having fun.
I do actually remember you saying that was aimed at Benitez ages ago yes. Two VERY different personalities.
That was a sweet fight; My buddy and I each won $300 bucks on Wilfred (bet $500 but Benitez was a semi-big favorite with the bookies)
And of course the little fiasco at the end of their fight. I don't know if Benitez had Duran's number or what. I'd have chosen Duran to beat him at 140 and 147 still.
As great a lightweight champion as Duran was, and I consider him the best, Wilfred Benitez was poison to Duran. His cool style and reflexes were too much for Duran.
Who was nearest to prime and prime weight out of the 2????????? Was Benitez the wrong style? was Benitez nearer prime? Did Duran have 1 of his off nights? Or did Benitez just have the style or Durans number?
Knew that one JT, I read it in KO (Farhood methinks). While we're at it, ddid anyone think Duran won more than 3 rounds?
Duran was definitely in one of his off nights, he just didn't have the stamina or strength to get in on Benitez like he would in past times. A lot of the fight took place on the inside or against the ropes, where Benitez just outslicked and outlanded him. That would not happen with say, the Duran from Montreal. Benitez put on a great performance though, no doubt about it.
I'm not surprised, but i'd totally forgotten it KO gave Duran a total of two rounds. 13 rounds to Benitez. The judges scores are a fukking disgrace! Benitez wins by 1, 3 and 4 points :huh Benitez at this time was smooth as silk. This Benitez would have beat any 154 pound version of Roberto.
13-2 seems a bit extreme as well. I'd say it was more a 10-5 type of fight, albeit with a lot of nothing rounds rather than five that Duran won clearly. Duran did get the benefit of the doubt a lot with the judging later in his career though.The Hagler fight is another example.
I think Benitez just had Duran's number. Duran was the best overall fighter I have ever seen, but as we say "styles make fights" and Benitez's style as someone previously stated was "poison" for Duran.
