1983 Roberto Duran fights air tonight on Versus

09/11/2006

1983 Roberto Duran fights air tonight on Versus

Press Release: Tonight (Thursday) at 9 p.m. ET on Versus (formerly OLN),  "Fight Night: Top Rank's Legends of the Ring"  will feature rarely-seen comeback fights of the legendary Roberto Duran against former world champion Pipino Cuevas and super welterweight champion Davey Moore. By the time Duran faced former WBA welterweight champion Pipino Cuevas (January 1983), most were already saying that Duran’s best days were behind him, because “Manos de Piedra” had lost three of his previous five bouts, including the infamous “No Mas” rematch against Sugar Ray Leonard, a  world title challenge against Wilfred Benitez, and a 10-round tune-up against the unheralded Kirkland Laing, awarded “Upset of the Year” by The Ring magazine.  But Duran turned the clock back and in front of a boisterous Mexican crowd in the Los Angeles Sports Arena, all rooting for Cuevas, tore into the former world champion, knocking him down several times before the fight was stopped in the fourth round.  Still an underdog, Duran followed that victory with his challenge of undefeated WBA 154-pound champion Davey Moore in June 1983.  Duran celebrated his 32nd birthday in style, getting himself into peak physical condition, handing Moore a terrible beating.  The Madison Square Garden crowd was electric, half in support of the Bronx-born Moore’s homecoming, with the remaining half passionate for Duran.  It was the third world title in as many weight divisions for Duran, with more to come. You can relive boxing history tonight on Versus.