"Duran vs. Kirkland Laing" from '82...

I just reviewed the fight......... Benitez won; no doubt there... However, again, Duran was in-shape at 152, but slower and sluggish against Benitez.... Benitez got the nod by a few rds....:yep

It was Benitez' last real great showing in the ring..... Next up, Benitez would lose his crown to Tommy Hearns..... It was all down hill for Benitez from that point onward......:|

Who the hell would've guessed back in '82 that Duran would fight his final pro fight in 2001???
:huh

SR.BILLARDOthumbsup:yikes

 

One crooked judge had it 144 to 142 for Benitez...... That's a close shave........:shock:

Many rds were fairly close with Benitez getting the better of it with cleaner punching.... Again, Duran was sluggish, but never in any real serious danger of being stopped.......:bbb

All in all, the fight really wasn't all that great..... Several rds were slow and boring..... Lotsa' posing and feinting.....
atsch

MR.BILL:deal

 

I just found my '88 tape of "Chavez vs. Jose L. Ramirez"...... I'm gonna pop that in..... This goes back almost 21 yrs now...... It seems like yesterday.....

SR.BILL

 

I said a little while ago that I have had ESPN since 1982. And over the last 28 yrs, I have ONLY taped perhaps 20 telecasts from that network.. That is less than "1" fight per year... That is weak, folks...

MR.BILL

 

He was good in 1982 / '83.... He wasted lotsa' time and talent afterward.... However, he was champ of Britain at 147---for a while there...
:hey

MR.BILL

 

Duran was 155 and looking pretty okay in 1982 at age 31.... He was heavy up that high, but not slobbish...... I think team Duran under-estimated Kirk Laing...... Duran never knew that Laing had above average speed and good legs in 1982....... PLUS! After Laing shook off the nerves, he implemented "Leonard's" style and boxed Duran to a close, but sure decision on ESPN......

MR.BILL:deal

 

That fight with Benitez has always bothered me... Duran was a good looking 154 for Luigi Minchillo in Sept. 1981 in Vegas.. BUT! Word has it by Nov., Duran was a bloated 180+ pounds and in need of serious training to make weight for Benitez of Jan. 1982...... Duran did make weight for Benitez, he weighed 152 pounds on the scale........ But Duran fought Benitez dreadful and non-energetic after the 6th round onward..... That's a sign he was weight drained.... Even Raymond Leonard at ringside for HBO said Duran appeared sluggish at the midway point or so of the 15 rounder.... Duran was really off key in there with Benitez....... Even with Ray Arcel in the corner, Duran had no charge after round 6....... Why?

MR.BILL:huh:scaredas::shock:

 

Duran also did a sleep-walk with Leonard in Vegas in 1989 when Duran was 158 pounds...... Duran looked fit at the weight, but boxed Ray as if they were there to spar........ Ray hardly did **** himself....... That fight / PPV sucked weenie....... I hate them nights...... I do........

MR.BILL