Fights where Roberto Duran showed incredible legendary HEART

The story Ayala consistently told is that he went to have a look at some street drummers around a fire one night and Duran was there and promptly took off.

There is a story Tony Ayala Jr told about the afternoon in New York in December 1982 when he had just left Madison Square Garden after signing to fight for the world title. He was going to get $700,000 for the fight with Davey Moore, planned for May 1983, at the historic location; he was in great spirits, and as he walked away from the signing, as the snow fell he heard some street musicians playing drums, standing by a barrel of fire and he went over for a look.

Agree Duran would be too much for him. Too much skill, toughness and savvy.

“I saw [Roberto] Duran there and I’m gonna kill him – I hate him,” said Ayala Jr. “He sees me and he takes off, runs from me. I was not that bothered because I knew I would get him soon, get him in the ring.”

 

You are probably right. That was a heck of a fight. They both came to fight. I used to see that place when I lived in California. It is right off the 10 freeway near Downtown LA. Oh hell what is the name of that place. I got it, the Olympic Auditorium. It must be on Olympic near downtown..

 

And just like the Cuevas sparring and Hearns stories it is a lie. I told you from his swinelike manager Duvas mouth what really happened. Ayala was a name dropper who after the Maldanado debacle never faced a puncher or real up and comer again. The only reason he wanted Duran was he thought he was all washed up. Just like Moore but faster, Rapo would find out quite differently.
It would be a career ender like it was for Moore. And in the street, Duran would keel him. They said in Panama, Duran was a better street fighter than a boxer. Duran is not a 100 pound young women!

 

No. They fought at The Forum.

 

are you sure? I always thought it was the Olympic

 

I think we are both wrong. I saw a flyer for it and it was at the Sports Arena, which is next to the Coliseum. More downtown than the Forum, which was in Inglewood off Manchester. I actually Hearns fight at the forum twice, but not big fights. Kemper Morton on Feb. 11, 1991 and what was that guys name. Oh Ed Dalton.. in January of 1997,,, I don't know the exact date but probably the 30th perhaps. As a matter of fact the Sports Arena is not far from the Olympic. Probably about a mile I would say, but I could be wrong. I don't even know if the Arena is still around but I think it is.

 

I accept my humiliating defeat and will punish myself by forcing my eyes open with toothpicks and forcing myself to watch Vinny Pazienza interviews. I deserve no less for my wanton arrogance.

 

Well I was wrong also and have been saying for years it was the Olympic. So I deserve worse. I am not sure why I got that one wrong.

 

This sounds more rumor than substance. Ayala had a lot of ability.
But so did Davey Moore who had defeated a better group of fighters
than Ayala prior to his 1st stint in prison.
Moore was a big jr.middleweight in comparison to Duran and
Ayala whom were roughly the same size.
Moore in my opinion would've been at least 50/50 against
Ayala.
The Duran that faced and beat down Moore would've done
the same to Ayala in my opinion.
Ayala who's fights were a staple on NBC boxing in the early
80's never demonstrated in my opinion he was that much better
than Moore, and for a rumor that insinuated Duran was afraid
of Ayala is a bunch of nonsense. (Btw , not accusing you of making
that up, I remember reading that story in a KO magazine in the
80's, thought it was BS then, think it's BS now,so I know your not
creating that story.)
Sometimes those type of rumors gain a life of their own because
their repeated so often, but I'm sure the reality of that situation was
blown out of proportion.

 

True but Duran only did that out of fear.

 

I was there I saw it happen. The fact that Ayala had a Machete in his hand has been an excuse the Duran camp has spun for Years.

 

It being Ayala, it would sound more realistic if you said he had his dick in his hand.

 

Duran had come off losses to Benitez and Kirkland Laing. Pipino may have been diminished but I doubt he forgot how to punch. It was a crossroads fight for both. Cuevas got in outstanding shape and vowed " No Mexican would ever quit ". The first time Duran decked him Pipino got up and ran for his life only to be hunted down and battered in submission.

 

Of course he did. His other hand.

 

I have no idea what version is true (if any) and at the end of the day it doesn't overly matter just like hundreds of other stories that cannot be authenticated one way or another. We can't choose to suddenly believe Duva because his narrative suits us better on select occasions.

It is probably rubbish, or maybe they were just building the fight up.

Against Maldonado was just his 9th pro fight so it's not the be all and end all. Ayala was just 18 years old. Later on he decimated better fighters than Maldy.To his credit Ayala quickly regained his defensive composure and came back with some well measured shots, in particular a beautifully doubled up left hook firstly to the head and then the body.

Again i do believe Duran would have been far too measured and skillful. He would have been up for Tony and it would have been great to watch the young bull attempting to gore. Duran thrives on that stuff.