why did roberto duran and antonio cervantes never fought?

Were they both from Panama?

 

i think cervantes was from columbia.

 

just timing. I am sure it would have come off had Duran wanted the title in 1980. Duran wanted Leonard apparently and also I think he was having so much trouble with weight he went right to welterweight. 140 was not much of a difference to 135 in 1980.

 

The fight was on the cards on several occasions but Eleta wasn't keen from what I can gather.

I think Leonard and the riches of welterweight were the target.

 

Thats exactly it:deal There was no real serious money at 135/140 it was at 147 that the big $$$$ was & originaly the plan was for a Super Latin showdown with Cuevas who was also the P4P terror at 147 but King could'nt tie the Cuevas camp down but Leonard was there & that turned out to be the golden goose for King & the Duran managment.

 

True. It would have been a good fight though. Roberto would have won,because Cervantes was good,but Duran was better.

 

I recall hearing the announcer say that Duran and his "team" were at the Cervantes - Dejesus fight in '75. Cervantes dominated Dejesus and looked awesome. I wouldn't suggest Duran wanted no part of Cervantes but I think Eleta figured the risk outweighed the reward.

 

I agree, The Duran of De Jesus III was the complete article & Cervantes was getting well on a bit by then so i'd recken for Duran to proberbly win by TKO late on in another classic fight but back around 75 then it would have been an absolute war with this fantastic clash of styles. Cervantes was big fast,slick & powerful at the weight & the Duran of De Jesus II was the epitomy of savage intensity.

It would have been an incredible fight but Eleta was proved correct in waiting as Duran had youth & time on his side & only got better & more polished. I think Duran may have pinched it around 75 but it would'nt have suprised me if he'd lost to Cervantes then, but by 78 then it's Duran.

 

Indeed, It would have played out with that similar intence feel too it like Leonard/Duran I

 

I would pick Duran even in '75. I think his speed and mobility would edge it, but that would've been a great fight. Duran ain't running, but by mobility, I mean his abillity to outflank Cervantes and also speed in navigating that danger zone to get inside.

 

Yeh i agree, Duran's ability to feint & slip the jab allowed him to jump onto yer chest to spew down the opponants throat, it would have been mayhem just as De Jesus II was. Duran always found a way in & eventually beat all resistence out of all opponants regardless of style.

I've always like Cervantes hence i'am giving him the respect to really make this a battle but as you say once Duran persistently gets inside then the outcome ai'nt in doubt.

Way back 22 years ago was when SKY satallite/cable first became available in the UK & they advertised it in the national press with a caption stateing that the 1st classic fight that they are going to show on launch night will be Duran/DeJesus II. The following morning my phone never stopped ringing as this was the 1st time for many too have actually seen the lightweight Duran in action as he was back from the B & W/TV days so very few had actually watched him pre-Leonard & had only heard about his savage intensity more so than his sublime boxing ability.

I forced my son a few years back to sit with me & watch Duran/DeJesus II, once with Ferdie Percheco's gushing & dramatic commentary & again with the volume down & i asked my son to make a comparison too any fighter & fights that he can recall from the time he took an interest as he's a Ricky Hatton fan as all the youngsters are over here that he thinks could have lasted it out with Duran. He replied honesty that after watching the DeJesus fight he said it absolutley exhausted him what with it's intensity & obviously was more than a bit peeved to admit it. He then jumped up put his coat on & murmered something about that Leonard would have beat Duran at lightweight then the frontdoor slamed:twisted:

 

Yeah I agree, Cervantes was a great fighter. I think he gets underrated a bit. Maybe because his prime is bookended by the Locche loss upfront and the Pryor/Benitez losses at the end. I love his mid 70's performances against Dejesus and Hector Thompson. That Cervantes is a chore for any 140 lber.

I prefer Duran - Dejesus II. The third fight is a masterpiece, no doubt, but I wonder if Dejesus was slightly past it by then. In the second fight, Duran takes apart a dead in his prime Dejesus (despite the early flash knockdown).