Man Ray Lampkin gave a great effort that should be appreciated! Duran won and took this battle of attrition, but Ray Lampkin gave a challenge for the ages! Great KO by Duran to end the show! This content is protected
I remember watching this fight as it occurred , Lampkin could really fight. He simply ran into one of the greatest fighters who ever lived. I'd take Lampkin to spank many lightweight champs, I think he spanks Mancini , O'Grady, Rosario, and several others . And Chavez would have caught hell from him
Philly Phan your right on again. One of the great fights I saw. Ray would be King Ray today. No caps hahahaha
"I was not in my best condition. Today I sent him to the hospital. Next time I’ll put him in the morgue.'" Poor Ray. Not a "He was a worthy challenger. I hope he fully recovers. He's a tough kid. I'd love to give him another opportunity" from Roberto. Duran was a mean guy back in the day. A far cry from the friendly, happy go lucky guy you see now.
1975-03-02 : Roberto Duran 133½ lbs beat Ray Lampkin 134½ lbs by KO at 0:39 in round 14 of 15 Location: Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Referee: Isaac Herrera Judge: Harmodio Cedeno Judge: Juan Carlos Tapia WBA Lightweight Title (6th defense by Duran) "As was usually the case, the outdoor arena was awash in heat and humidity, conditions that only amplified the advantages Duran enjoyed. But Lampkin opened the bout positively; he boxed well enough to establish his long-range game yet slugged often enough to show the champion he was willing to engage. In round two, the feisty Lampkin dug several hard rights to Duran’s ribs, then won a wild exchange at ring center as the ringsiders roared. The pair set a torrid pace with Duran moving forward behind fast, power-laden punches and Lampkin engaged in purposeful retreat. Duran appeared to have an edge through the early rounds but Lampkin hung tough and fired back whenever possible. But it was apparent that Lampkin's best right hands lacked the steam to move Duran and that fact guaranteed a long, hard slog would be necessary to pull the massive upset. It wasn’t to be. Duran’s ceaseless pressure and superior firepower gradually wore down the challenger, who nevertheless continued to battle despite his deterioration. Duran picked up steam in the bout’s second half and by the 12th Lampkin sported a mouse under the left eye and a weary expression. By answering the bell for the 12th Lampkin achieved a victory of sorts by passing DeJesus as Duran’s longest-lasting challenger to date and though he was clearly tired it appeared his fighting heart might be enough to carry him the entire 15 round distance. Duran had other ideas – frightening ideas. Less than 30 seconds into the 14th Lampkin moved toward the ropes, where Duran whipped over a whistling hook that connected flush with the challenger’s jaw. Lampkin fell back first and his head hit the canvas with sickening force. There was no getting up for Lampkin and the aftereffects were harrowing – Sports Illustrated reported Lampkin was out for 80 minutes...and that the challenger was hospitalized for five days. One media report indicated that Lampkin had died but while Lampkin was (and still is) alive and well, the fall did leave his left leg temporarily paralyzed. After the bout Duran uttered one of his most famous – or infamous – quotes: "I was not in my best condition. Today I sent him to the hospital. Next time I’ll put him in the morgue.'"
Just rewatched this @PhillyPhan69 - man, what a gruelling fight! Duran said he wasn't in his best condition and he came in light at 1 1/2 pounds under the lightweight limit. I don't think I've seen him look as thin as that - maybe he overtrained or lost weight too dramatically from having to lose too much in a short space of time. The pace certainly slowed significantly as the fight wore on and Duran looked a bit sloppy at times. You can almost feel the heat and humidity watching this one - looking at average temperatures in Panama City in March around 32 degrees and 90% humidity is common at that time of the year. I can well believe it was like that in this fight. Both fighters were struggling with that but it affected Lampkin more obviously than Duran as the fight moved into the championship rounds. The KO was pretty sudden but utterly conclusive. This goes down as a great win for Duran and for those who say Duran didn't have much competition during his lightweight years, victories over the likes of Buchanan, DeJesus, Vilomar Fernandez (who would go on to beat both Lampkin and Arguello, of course) and Lampkin here shows he didn't have it easy. He had to be a great fighter to beat these guys.
Lampkin actually left Panama in a wheelchair. He was very fortunate to recover. He eventually fought again but he said that he couldnt take a punch after Duran knocked him out.
You have to have alot of courage to go into Panama and try to take Duran's title. They would of had to pay me more than the going rate.
