Just researching Roberto Duran, And though the great Champion fought alot, there was a boat-load of cancelled bouts that he had signed for. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- (Las Vegas site) - September 8, 1978 vs. Alfredo Pitalua Roberto had not defended his World Lightweight Championship since January 21, 1978 versus Esteban De Jesus. And Roberto was now campaigning at 140+ lbs., though he signed to defend his 135 lb. Championship versus the hard-punching Colombian. Alfredo Pitalua, a 22 1/2 year-old - 5' 8" boxer-puncher, from Colombia but based in Mexico City, was the #1 WBC-ranked Lightweight with a record of 27-4-0 (22 KO's). Alfredo, who had been campaigning as a 126 lb. Featherweight in 1976, and as a 130 lb. Super-Featherweight in 1977, had gone 15-1-0 (12 KO's) in his last '16-bouts'. Alfredo was fast and could punch, but he had problems with stamina and faded badly late in fights. Prediction; Alfredo would have went right after Roberto, and probably would have matched him in speed and power for the first 5-Rounds. But, the stronger Roberto would have taken over in Round 6 with his 'brutal' body attack. Alfredo who did not absorb punishment well, would have collapsed under the constant pressure in Round 8. Why did it not take place. On September 1, 1978 - and in Panama, Roberto weighed 151 lbs. for his bout with Ezequil Obandano.
(Puerto Rico site) March 17, 1977 On the undercard of the George Foreman vs Jimmy Young bout. Josue Marquez, a 28 year-old - 5' 8" 'defensive specialist' from Puerto Rico. Josue, an 11-year veteran who had been campaigning since 1966, had a record of 30-11-2 (6 KO's). Josue was the Puerto Rican Lightweight Champion. He was an evasive boxer, who usually back-pedalled and jabbed. He would only fight in spurts, and usually took a defensive stance. Josue had a good left jab, and a quick left hook, but he had absolutely 'no power'. But, despite '11' losses, he had only been stopped 'once' in his career. Coming into the bout, Josue had a record of 11-10-1 (0 KO's) in his last '22-bouts'. And he had only '2-bouts' in the past 15-months, and none in the previous 6-months. He had defeated Adriano 'Nani' Marrero in October 1976 by Decision in his last bout, and before that, he had a (Draw 12) and (W Dec 12) over Frankie Benitez (Wilfred's older brother). Earlier in his career, he went 15-Rounds with Antonio Cervantes in 1973, and Josue had lost to Esteban De Jesus (3-times). Roberto Duran had to cancel the bout, due to a motorcycle accident, where he sustained a hand injury. Prediction; Since Josue was a 'safety first' defensive specialist, he most likely would have taken Roberto past the 10th Round, with back-pedalling and counter-punching. If Roberto was in 'good shape', his constant pressure would have worn down Josue by the 12th round, and stopped the 28 year-old veteran in Round 13.
(Las Vegas site) February 1976 Don King had just signed Roberto Duran to a 3-bout contract. Angel Mayoral, a 28 year-old, slick boxing 5' 7" southpaw from San Diego was signed to fight Roberto in February 1976. Angel was a very good boxer, and was a perenial Top 10 Lightweight since 1972. With a record of 50-6-2 (17 KO's), Angel was one of the top Lightweights on the west coast. Angel had won '13' straight, and had gone 33-2-2 since January 1971. Included were wins over Ray Lampkin (Roberto's difficult nemesis) and Miguel Mayan. Unfortunately, Roberto disappeared after defeating Leonico Ortiz in December 1975, and resurfaced in Miami versus Saoul Mamby in May 1976. Prediction; Angel would have been difficult for Roberto early, as he was another very good southpaw boxer. Roberto would have been frustrated in catching the fast moving Mayoral with hard punches up thru 8 Rounds. By Round 9, Roberto would have slowed Angel down with his body attack. And 2-Rounds later, Robert would score a KO 11 with a body punch. Angel Mayoral This content is protected
Always confusion about Roberto Duran versus Wilfred Benitez, The first time they were supposed to fight was in February 1977. But Roberto would only fight Wilfred at 140 lbs., and for the WBA Light-Welterweight Championship. The WBA then stripped 18 year-old Wilfred of his title, and Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez then wanted a non-title bout fought at 145 lbs. for his son. Teddy Brenner of Madison Square Garden offered Carlos Eleta $100,000 for a 10-Round bout. Gregorio agreed to $40,000 for his son, but only for a bout at 145 lbs. Both parties 'passed' on the bout.
