Roberto Duran vs Pipino Cuevas: The Road to Redemption...35 Years Ago.

[elmersalsa]

On a Saturday night of January 29, 1983, at the Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium, Roberto Duran and Pipino Cuevas, two former world champions, were at the crossroads of their illustrious careers.

Duran, 31, the legendary boxer from Panama City, Panama, was in a deep decline ever since he surrendered his Welterweight crown two and a half years earlier to the great Sugar Ray Leonard in the infamous, now famous "No Mas" fight. The date was November 25, 1980 in New Orleans, LA.

Since then, Duran moved to super welterweight, and only won 3 outta 5 fights and in none of those fights, he looked like the Duran of old. Some were saying that he lost THE FIRE. Some were saying that he was shot and washed up. His countrymen, and every Latino macho man fan alive, and even his "closest friends" deserted him. As a matter of fact, Manos de Piedra hadn't had a knockout win since February of 1980. That was a total of 7 fights in a row without a knockout win in almost 3 years! Could it be that he is not accostumed of the 154lbs class? Is that weight class too big for his frame? Did he lost his punching power? How about his speed? Did he lost it, too? It wasn't that he was Leonard or the great Muhammad Ali in terms of hand speed, but, Duran's hand speed was one of his most underrated assets. In his last 5 fights after the No Mas fiasco, Duran looked fat, lethargic and slow. Probably, very slow to say the least. It was an embarrassment to his career when of all people, a journey man named Kirkland Laing of England, outpointed him in Detroit in September '82. It was The Ring Magazine's 1982 Upset of the Year. Kirkland Laing? Say what? Who in the fuuuck is Kirkland Laing? Are we serious? That's how pathetic Duran's boxing career was. It was heading for disaster. American promoter extraordinare, Don King, his promoter since 1975, already had for Duran a slated big money fight with young and coming undefeated Jr middleweight contender Tony "El Torito" Ayala, Jr in December '82. That if, if he got pass Laing. Forget about it! Said King. And like the other "friends", he also left The Hands of Stone.

Before the Laing fight, Duran lost a lopsided unanimous decision bout for the WBC World Super Welterweight title held by great champion Wilfred Benitez of Puerto Rico. El Radar made the Hands of Stone look like a total idiot. Benitez looked like a complete master against a listless Duran that didn't had any fire. By losing to Benitez and the unheralded Laing, it became the first time also in his career, that Duran lost twice in successive fights.

Duran's only friend in time of need was boxing manager Luis Spada of Argentina. He took Duran under his wing in a time when nobody believed in him. Duran was in DEEP HELL. Only he knew, that to redeem himself, he had to come back in a way he knows how. The road to redemption started on November '82 when American promoter Bob Arum gave him a shot in one of the fights of Alexis Arguello vs Aaron Pryor super fight bill. It was the last fight of the evening. The fight was against another journeyman named Jimmy Batten of England for ten rounds at the Miami Orange Bowl. To the dismay of many sportswriters, almost everyone had left the arena. Nobody wanted to see Duran. For many of those fans, the legend was an afterthought. And an afterthought he was. Duran didn't impress, but that wasn't surprising anymore. To many, Duran, the man that terrorized the lightweight division in the 70's decade, WAS FINISHED.

Cuevas, 25, of Mexico City, Mexico was a one time in the 1970s one of his country's most beloved champions. Not only he was a fan favorite in Mexico, but also in Los Angeles, CA area. He was a banger that lived by the punch and died by it. He made 12 title defenses of the WBA World Welterweight crown in 4 years, in which he put to sleep 10 of them. He became champion at age 18. But on August 2, 1980, at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, something catastrophic happened to him. American Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns, a terrifying and devastating puncher, took him out quick in only 2 rounds! An unbelievable knockout loss that had the boxing world speechless! Then, the year after, American Roger Stafford beat Pipino so soundly and one sided that many people were asking him to hang the gloves. He was no longer a welterweight force. But, the fighter, believing in his own convictions, has the last word. And he had it. Promoter Arum matched him up with Duran at Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium, close to his fans. Did Cuevas had the crowd advantage? Not so much. Many people still believe in Duran.

Duran and Pipino were supposed to fight in the late 70's. For some reason it didn't materialized. It would have been a great and explosive matchup of two great knockout artists that don't know what is a backward step meant. Now, both of them seemingly washed up in the eyes of some, had a one fight shot. The winner was in the front run for a world title shot without a doubt. Not because one of them would have earned the right to fight for the title by stepping into the rankings, but the title shot would have been earned because of their former reputation and title reigns. Los Angeles was the perfect spot for the two Latin icons to square up. It was for the real Latin macho crowd. Both came in shape and ready.

Pipino at 149lbs, started fast throwing wicked bomb after bomb to Duran's body and head. Duran was a little bit more methodical into his approach by using the jab, and when he saw the opening, he would strike the way he knows how. In my opinion, Pipino won the first two rounds. He was the more aggressive fighter. Duran looked faster than his last 5 previous bouts. At 152lbs, so far, never looked better. He was the most technical of the two. In round three was when Roberto started to pick up the pace more. In round 4, Duran sent a straight right hand and Cuevas went down for the first time in the fight. Referee James Jen Kin from South Korea gave Pipino an eighth-count. Duran went to the attack smelling blood like a predator white shark and started unloading combinations, sending Cuevas reeling to the ropes and went down for a second eight-count. Duran just kept pressing in the attack with beautiful combinations to the head and body. Cuevas was willing. It was just a matter of time. Cuevas went down again and rose at nine, but when he wanted to continue, it was over. His manager Lupe Sanchez saw enough even though Pipino didn't want it to end. Duran got his first impressive win since June 1980 when he defeated Leonard. The fire was back for that night. Duran, with tears of joy, had still some fights left in him. He rejuvenated that night in Los Angeles. It was like he won a world title. Great jubilation in his corner. Manos de Piedra is back! Now, a shot for the WBA World Jr Middleweight title was at stake. Young American Davey Moore was waiting for him.

It was the end for Pipino. No more title shots. He lost 6 more fights ti inferior opposition in the following 6 years and retired for good in 1989.

[handsofstone]

Great showing from Duran, when he hurt Cuevas he never let him off the hook, Cuevas did have a little success on the inside but Duran nailed him with rights from the outside, looked to be a bodyshot that finished off Cuevas

[BoxBuzz]

[Nile4000]

That would not have happened in Cuevas' prime. Perfect timing for Duran.

[elmersalsa]

Back in 1979 or '80, it would have been a great scrap between the two. Two beloved Latin macho men that would have gave us a toe to toe phone booth warfare. I still would have picked Duran in that fight. He was the better technical fighter.

[goose 5]

The fight wasn't at the Olympic Auditorium.

[elmersalsa]

The fight wasn't at the Olympic Auditorium.

You're right. Thanks for the correction.