When did Duran (& Mgmt) realize he could never beat Benitez?

Who do you think we are, ****ing mind readers.

 

I highly doubt there's anyone Duran ever really thought he could never beat. He wasn't built that way.

 

In case classic posters have never ventured into the lounge, please bare in mind Longhorn is ******ed before bothering to debate him, cheers

 

I think 154 was one of Wilfred's best title reign. He fought Duran and Hearns. Went 15 with both.

 

Roberto Duran trained very hard for the Wilfred Benitez bout in 1982.

He just never got off.

As for whether the Duran Camp was worried about Roberto getting hurt.

No way, there biggest problem was getting Roberto from 180 lbs., down
to 154 lbs.

As for winning. It didn't really matter, as both fighter were getting well paid.

Wilfred Benitez.......$1,400,000
Roberto Duran...........$500,000

 

Longhorn you've tried to PM me a few times. What about?

 

winning didn't matter? they were both paid well?

yup this guy is a fan of today smh money over legacy atsch

 

i agree he always seemed filled with self confidence

 

Roberto Duran was 'all' about money back then.

Money was first,,,,,,

Did you ever see his wife Felicidad 'Fula' Duran go crazy at the 'Roulette Tables.

I did..........

She could go through money faster than anybody alive playing the numbered wheel.

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It's always been money over legacy. In fact, "legacy", in the true sense, is how much money you retire with or leave your kids.
Winning does matter, but seriously when fighter's managers are negotiating fights they are focussed on the price tag. Obviously both fghters train and fight to win, but money is the first priority.

 

Duran didn't duck Benitez. That doesn't make sense. Benitez was always the weight above. Duran beat Leonard who was champion by beating Benitez. After losing to Leonard he moved up and challenged Benitez.

 

The earliest these two boys could gave fought was in January 1976.

Roberto was 25 years, 7 months old. And the WBA Lightweight Champion.

A record of 54-1-0 (47 KO's), after coming off of a December 1975 (KO 15)
over Leonico Ortiz.

Wilfred was 25-0-0 (20 KO's) as of January 1976. The 17 year, 3 month old
Wilfred was campaiging at 144+ lbs, in most of his bouts.

Had they met in January 1976, it could have been at 140 lbs.

In a 10-Round 'non-title' bout.

Wilfred would be in a defensive counter-punching stance, while Roberto
would be wrecklessly charging. Benitez handles himself well for the first
4-Rounds, as Roberto is the aggressor. Roberto lands punches, but nothing
solid over these rounds, as Wilfred uses his built-in 'Radar'.

But Roberto scores a knockdown in early in Round 5, when Wilfred tries to
engage in a toe-to-toe exchange. Wilfred is up at the 3-Count, but is not
badly hurt. Roberto presses, and Wilfred uses his great defensive skills to
avoid getting hit by any solid punches.

Roberto maintains a steady assault, while the light-punching Wilfred tries
to box in Round 6.

In Round 7, Wilfred finally scores with a few right hand leads, but they have
no power. Roberto has slowed the pace, to refresh before his late-fight charge.

Round 8 is a tactical round, where no one takes charge.

In Round 9, the action heats up, and late in the round, Duran scores with some
heavy punches to the body, hurting Wilfred and driving him to the ropes. There,
Duran unloads with good head punches and Wilfred goes down under the two-fisted
barrage.

Wilfred is up at 7, but is hurt and is on unsteady pins. Duran attacks, and scores with
a 12-punch barrage before the bell saves Wilfred.

Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez does not allow a still dazed and wobbly Wilfred out for Round 10.

Scorecard;
Roberto Duran.......10 - 9 - 10 - 10 - 10 ---- 10 - 9 -- 9 - 10 = 87
Wilfred Benitez.......9 - 10 - 9 - 10 -- 8 ----- 9 - 10 - 10 - 8 == 83

Roberto fought well in Rounds 1, 3, 5, 6 and 9 - and had 2-point edges in Rounds 5 and 9
by scoring knockdowns.

Wilfred fights cleverly in Rounds 2, 7 and 8. Wilfred also fought well, late in Round 4.

Going into Round 9, Wilfred was 2-points behind, and was told to pick-up the pace and take it to Roberto. But, Wilfred didn't have the guns or the chin to stand up to the charging Duran, who had smartly rested in Rounds 7 and 8.