Did Buchanan underrate Duran "pre-fight"? http://www.boxing.com/summer_hurricane_the_first_roar_of_roberto_duran.html This content is protected The Buchanan vs Duran fight was scheduled for 6/26/72 The March 1972 Ring ratings have Duran at #6, will several former champs above him. Ken Buchanan, Champion Pedro Carrasco Ismael Laguna Antonio Puddu Shinichi Kadota Al Ford Roberto Duran Alfonso Frazer Raymundo Dias Chango Carmona Mando Ramos Although, Duran was 28-0, with most victories by k.o/tko, basically all of his fights were in Panama, except for a Sept 1971 NYC fight with veteran Benny Huertas (18-14-3) who he tko'ed. Duran then went back down to Panama and k.o.'ed former Junior Lightwt champ Hiroshi Kobayashi...followed by 2 more "tune-up' fights. 1971-10-16 : Roberto Duran 136 lbs beat Hiroshi Kobayashi 135¾ lbs by KO at 0:30 in round 7 of 10 Location: Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Referee: Isaac Herrera 59-57 Judge: Harmodio Cedeno 59-57 Judge: Juan Carlos Tapia 60-56 Duran backed former junior lightweight champion Kobayashi to the ropes and put him down for the count with a right-left-right combination to the head.
Yes, in my opinion. However, it can be forgiven because unlike 2018 when even the most obscure fighters probably have a couple of videos on YouTube, how much Buchanan knew about Duran before they met in the ring is debatable.
I'm sure Buchanan did underrate Duran; although he was an exciting and dangerous prospect there was no way of knowing what he would dominate the division and carve a unique place in boxing history. Whether he underestimated Duran in the sense that he took him lightly is more difficult to quantify. Buchanan was in shape for the Duran fight, put up a strong defence of his crown, and the ending was controversial. He got roughed up early in the fight, but dug in and gave as good as he got in parts of the fight. At the end of the day I think it's simply the case of a great champion being beaten by an even better one (notwithstanding the finishing right hand to the bollocks).
Did he underrate him? Yes, I would say almost certainly. Would he have lost, had he not underrated him? I would say yes, still yes.
He must of been familiar with him because the Duran Huertas fight was the chief support for the Buchanan Laguna second fight. Roberto did create a few ripples in that fight.
He probably took him a little lightly pre-fight. But after round 1 and 2, I'm sure then he knew he needed to give his best and Duran was for real.
"Under-estimated" Duran,.. was the word I was searching for....but I am an old codger these days now.
I watched the fight recently and although Ken battled all the way and had his moments could of been rounds 8 to 10 it was mostly one way traffic. I'd say it was definitely a low blow at the end but I don't think it really had any bearing on the result. I think Roberto might of done a more conclusive job second time round. I think Ken was too professional to of underrated Duran in answer to the question.
There is a great YouTube of Buchanan recently being interviewed. He said he spent 10 days in the hospital after being "sewn up" so his balls were torn up badly. He also said Duran has apologized about not giving him a rematch. Longhorn has written about it another thread.
He may have done to a degree .Perhaps saw him as just a rough kid from the street. Swarming forward but maybe easy to out box .What ever the result ,Ken was one of Duran's toughest opponents ,no doubts.
