Roberto Duran vs Hector Thompson

[elmersalsa]

This was for sure one of the great Roberto Duran's toughest fights. They went toe to toe at ring center until Hector Thompson got dropped. He (Thompson) was a tough Australian aborigine lightweight and jr. welterweight contender that, if he would have fought in another era, would have become world champion. He was that tough. Duran hit him with some shots earlier and the aborigine was not going down. He hit Duran with some shots, too. He gave Duran a big scare. That was a slugfest while it lasted. Not Duran vs Leonard I, which some people say that "Leonard slugged it out with Duran"...That was a bunch of hogwash. If Leonard would have slugged it out with Duran, he would have get knocked out that night in Montreal. But anyway, I am not getting into that argument. Let's talk about Thompson.

Thompson resume was impressive. I did not know that he was Australian lightweight champion and British Empire jr. welter champ. That says a lot about him. I also heard that he killed two men in the ring in different bouts.

But in the fight with Duran, was entertaining while it lasted. Duran almost got KO'd, or looked like he was running out of gas.

[bollox]

From what I've read Thompson was doing pretty well in the fight. Well enough for Ray Arcel to be concerned. He told Duran he was losing the fight (perhaps a slight exaggeration). Duran told him not to worry and the fight was over in the next round. As you say, Thompson was unfortunate enough to run into Duran (and Cervantes)

The 2 ring deaths took a toll on Thompson's mindset (how could they not affect a fighter) and apparently he held a bit back after they happened

Still, one of our somewhat unsung boxing heroes. One of a long line of extremely talented Aboriginal fighters who for one reason or another didn't get to the very top

[Seamus]

I read an interview with Thompson in which he said it was a bad stoppage and that he believes he would have won if he was allowed to continue. I watched the fight last year and thought Duran was clearly winning, something like 5-2 going into the 8th when I think he scored 2 knockdowns. Didn't look like a bad stoppage to me.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Strangest name for an Aboriginal I've ever seen. 'Hector?' That always struck me as very odd.

[King Carlos]

I've seen the fight and think the supposed closeness is quite overblown, although Thompson was clearly a physical specimen. Definitely the stronger man. Apparently he seperated one of Duran's ribs, but it didn't show to me in the footage. Duran looked in control most of the way, and was vastly more skilled, clearly. Maybe I'll give it a rewatch, though.

[thunderfromdownunder]

\, one of our somewhat unsung boxing heroes. One of a long line of extremely talented Aboriginal fighters who for one reason or another didn't get to the very top

seems to be one of those guys that not many people in australia know much about, like dave sands, shame really