Roberto Duran vs Esteban De Jesus (I): Duran's First Loss 50 Years Ago

[elmersalsa]

On a Friday night of November 17, 1972 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, World Lightweight Champion Roberto Duran of Panama (21), loses for the first time in his career in a non-title affair for ten rounds against his nemesis Esteban De Jesus of Puerto Rico (21).

It was a terrific and fast paced fight. In round 1, De Jesus shocked the crowd by dropping Duran with a perfectly timed left hook. It was the first time that Duran was ever knocked down.

De Jesus fought a brilliant fight by moving side to side and outgunning the Hands of Stone, beating him to the punch and following it with clinches.

Duran never recovered after the knockdown and didn't seem to be the same fighting machine that won the title by a controversial 13th round TKO against former world champion Ken Buchanan of Scotland.

Duran after this loss, did not lose another bout for 8 whole years, scoring 41 straight wins, even avenging his loss not once, but twice.

But it was a great win for De Jesus, who was truly the ONLY ONE to beat Duran and to fight Duran 3 times in Duran's prime.

It was De Jesus defining fight.

[Jaywheel]

, who was truly the ONLY ONE to beat Duran

[keithmoonhangover]

controversial 13th round TKO against former world champion Ken Buchanan of Scotland.

You mean when he won the title by cheating?

[Jaywheel]

Crooked judges!!

[elmersalsa]

, who was truly the ONLY ONE to beat Duran

Why you want to tarnish Esteban De Jesus greatest win, bruh?

He was THE ONLY ONE that really beat Duran in Duran's prime.

[elmersalsa]

controversial 13th round TKO against former world champion Ken Buchanan of Scotland.

You mean when he won the title by cheating?

You know why was controversial.

[elmersalsa]

Crooked judges!!

Great win by the great Thomas Hearns against an aging Roberto Duran. Not a prime Duran then, but a great win

[keithmoonhangover]

controversial 13th round TKO against former world champion Ken Buchanan of Scotland.

You mean when he won the title by cheating?

You know why was controversial.

It was controversial because Duran cheated and won the fight with an illegal blow.

[evrenb]

Crooked judges!!

So painful watching that

[DrDuke]

It was a great fight, the great #1 p4p atg tbe lost to the great #2 p4p atg.

[keithmoonhangover]

It was a great fight, the great #1 p4p atg tbe lost to the great #2 p4p atg.

DIdn't the #1 P4P lose to Kirland Laing before this fight?

[Wee Tommy]

Crooked judges!!

The only way that right hand could have been any better was if it was Oscar landing it

[The Docker]

Always wondered the net result had Tommy hit Hagler with a similar shot. Granite chin vs one of the best single shots ever. Think that particular right hand would have levelled any near middleweight that ever existed.

[bollocks]

Hagler would have been standing afterwards

I still don't know why Duran turned up for the Hearns fight seemingly not interested

[The Docker]

Hagler would have been standing afterwards

Seemingly the best equipped to take a murder punch like that. Personally think that would have felled even Marvin. When you talk about being hit on the button, they should use this Hearns punch as a demonstration. I'm not convinced 75% of heavies would've withstood that blow.

[bollocks]

Hagler would have been standing afterwards

Seemingly the best equipped to take a murder punch like that. Personally think that would have felled even Marvin. When you talk about being hit on the button, they should use this Hearns punch as a demonstration. I'm not convinced 75% of heavies would've withstood that blow.

If you tie the HW to a pole with his arms behind his back...then maybe

[Ezzard]

Duran had shipped serious punishment before Hearns' shot landed.

De Jesus was a fantastic fighter, He had a great run from around 72-75

[The Docker]

Hagler would have been standing afterwards

Seemingly the best equipped to take a murder punch like that. Personally think that would have felled even Marvin. When you talk about being hit on the button, they should use this Hearns punch as a demonstration. I'm not convinced 75% of heavies would've withstood that blow.

If you tie the HW to a pole with his arms behind his back...then maybe

Why would you have to do that? Tommy could've landed on any heavy in history. Bollocks by username Bollocks by reply.


I've seen many streetfights where bigger men have been felled by smaller men. That shot would've seriously rocked many a heavy. I know a pinch point where my 8 year old daughter could take a hold of of any heavies hand and have him on his knees mercilessly begging her to let go. Land on the jaw pinch point and they'll drop readily enough.

[keithmoonhangover]

Seemingly the best equipped to take a murder punch like that. Personally think that would have felled even Marvin. When you talk about being hit on the button, they should use this Hearns punch as a demonstration. I'm not convinced 75% of heavies would've withstood that blow.

If you tie the HW to a pole with his arms behind his back...then maybe

Why would you have to do that? Tommy could've landed on any heavy in history. Bollocks by username Bollocks by reply.


I've seen many streetfights where bigger men have been felled by smaller men. That shot would've seriously rocked many a heavy. I know a pinch point where my 8 year old daughter could take a hold of of any heavies hand and have him on his knees mercilessly begging her to let go. Land on the jaw pinch point and they'll drop readily enough.

Hearns hurt plenty of heavyweights in sparring.

[goose 5]

Didn't he rock Ali in sparring ?

[keithmoonhangover]

Didn't he rock Ali in sparring ?

Yep.

[bollocks]

If you tie the HW to a pole with his arms behind his back...then maybe

Why would you have to do that? Tommy could've landed on any heavy in history. Bollocks by username Bollocks by reply.


I've seen many streetfights where bigger men have been felled by smaller men. That shot would've seriously rocked many a heavy. I know a pinch point where my 8 year old daughter could take a hold of of any heavies hand and have him on his knees mercilessly begging her to let go. Land on the jaw pinch point and they'll drop readily enough.

Hearns hurt plenty of heavyweights in sparring.

Which HW's did Hearns hurt?

[Jaywheel]

Crooked judges!!

The only way that right hand could have been any better was if it was Oscar landing it

[Ambling Alp II]

Always love watching that. Very little to like about Duran (along his fans with all their crybaby excuses) and it was great seeing him face planted.

[tiny_acres]

Always love watching that. Very little to like about Duran (along his fans with all their crybaby excuses) and it was great seeing him face planted.

Most fight fans have their favorites that they make every excuse for.
Duran was a fun watch and easily an all time pound for pound fighter. Not much to dislike about the guy