Duane Bobick '1971 Pan Am Games'

August 23, 1971

'GOOD THINGS COME IN LARGE PACKAGES'

Duane Bobick, 1971 Pan Am Games Heavyweight Champion

The just turned 21 year-old heavyweight from Bowlus, Minnesota.
Standing at 6' 3" and 205 lbs. Bobick had entered the Pan Am
Games held at Cali, Columbia riding a 20-bout winning streak.

Posting a record of 54-9 in his 63-bouts, which included 32 knock-outs.
Numerous titles include; National AAU, Navy, Interservice and Military
Championships.

In the opening round of the tournament, Bobick was lined up against
Wesley Zuleta of Columbia. Bobick was worried that if the 3-round
fight went the distance, Zuleta would earn the victory, as fighting in
his home country gave him a distinct advantage.

At the opening bell, the tall Zuleta went right after Bobick with an
assortment of wild and wide punches. After a minute of these amateurish
attemtps, Bobick moved in with a tight style and just beat the heck
out of his taller opponent.

With a minute left in the round, the referee called at halt to the matters,
as Zuleta was out-on-his-feet after absorbing a 4-punch combination.
Bobick said after the bout, 'There is no reason to leave anything up to
the judges, not down here. I was worried that if this fight went to
a decision, I wouldn't get it.'

 

Round 2

The 21 year-old Bobick faces 19 year-old Cuban Teofilo Stevenson.

The 6' 5" Stevenson is Cuba's 'special talent'. Possessing a tremendous
reach, the tall heavyweight has a dazzling left jab and a quick right hand.

Before the bout, Bobick gives an interview stating that, 'I've got to
pressure him right from the start. I cannot let him get set to throw the
right hand, it is his best punch. I can never let him rest.'

Upon entering the ring, the fans in attendance cheer crazily for
Stevenson. The Pro-Cuban crowd is what Bobick expected.

In Round 1, Stevenson uses his left jab like a snake to build up points.
The early portion of the round is all Stevenson, as Bobick cannot get inside
the quicker and taller Cuban. But Bobick keeps pressing, and late in the
round he lands several scoring blows which drive Stevenson backwards.

With 20-seconds left in the round. Bobick throws a hard right hand which
lands on Stevenson's collarbone. Bobick winces in pain, as he hurts his hand.
Bobick stays in tight, and scores with a short volley of punches.

In Round 2, it is now Bobick who takes control. Stevenson has slowed down,
and is no longer firing his punches with rapid speed. Bobick is driving through
the Cuban's punches, and is getting inside to fire his own combinations.
Bobick continues to score, and easily avoids Stevenson's telegraphic punches.

In Round 3, Bobick continues his body assault and punishes the Cuban.
Bobick switches his attack to the head, as Stevenson has lowered his hands,
The American lands several hard shots to Stevenson's head and has him
hurt. Bobick is steam-rolling now, and continues to hit the Cuban with hard shots.
Bobick, on more than one occassion has Stevenson in big trouble, but Stevenson
holds on and gets a break when Bobick is warned for head-butting twice over
the last 30-seconds.

All 5 Judges score the fight for Duane Bobick. (5-0)

After the fight, Bobick states, 'I was a little worried while waiting for them
to announce the decision. This is a Pro-Cuban crowd, and they have
been promoting Stevenson very hard down here.'

Some in the Amateur Boxing Community thought that this was a big upset, as
Cuban Boxing had high hopes for Teofilo Stevenson.

 

Duane Bobick won the Gold Medal at the 1971 Pan Am Games.

In the finals, he dominated from the outset versus Joaquin Rocha of Mexico.
Finally stopping Rocha in Round 3.
What was impressive, was that Bobick fought with a bady damaged
right hand.

Rocha was the Bronze medalist at the 1968 Olympics. He also had
fought George Foreman.

Joaquin Rocha said that Duane Bobick was a powerful puncher, and soon
may become as good as George Foreman.

Duane Bobock, 'I can give George Foreman a good fight for 3-Rounds.'

 

After winning the 1971 Pan Am Games,,,

Duane Bobick;

'Can you imagine, me the Heavyweight Champion of the World
3 or 4 years from now'

Upon entering the 1972 Olympics, Bobick had won 60-straight bouts.
He had defeated, not only every top American Amateur heavyweight,
but every International heavyweight put in front of him.

His last defeat, was a May 1970 knock-out loss (L KO2) to 29 year-old
Ron Lyle in the National AAU Tournament. Bobick was only 19 1/2 at
the time, and the loss dropped him to 34-9.

After that loss, Bobick went on a 2 1/2 year undefeated run.

Not only was Duane Bobick the #1 Rated Amateur Heavyweight,
was also considered the #1 Amateur Boxer in the World.