Duran in Chicago

[Expug]

Duran came to Chicago in 1988 to fight young Jeff Lanas. He made a stop at Fuller park gym on Chicagos south side to train. I was there working out also. He had Juan Nazario with him. The two sparred together a few rounds and Juan was giving it to Roberto. Made him look bad. He wasn’t in great shape. Duran fought Lanas at the old Chicago Amphitheater on south Halsted. Big Duran crowd there. Lanas the hometown kid had a few for him but not many. Anyway, the result was Duran winning a split decision. I was ringside and thought Lanas won it. I thought Duran was through. Not so as he went on to more greatness.

[bennie]

Duran came to Chicago in 1988 to fight young Jeff Lanas. He made a stop at Fuller park gym on Chicagos south side to train. I was there working out also. He had Juan Nazario with him. The two sparred together a few rounds and Juan was giving it to Roberto. Made him look bad. He wasn’t in great shape. Duran fought Lanas at the old Chicago Amphitheater on south Halsted. Big Duran crowd there. Lanas the hometown kid had a few for him but not many. Anyway, the result was Duran winning a split decision. I was ringside and thought Lanas won it. I thought Duran was through. Not so as he went on to more greatness.

I remember Duran dropping Lanas with a low blow which only served to enrage the Chicago man. Duran had his hands full on the night and his reflexes looked iffy in the last round when he dropped his arms to taunt Lanas and was hit with a big right. Without Jeff Lanas, Duran would never have licked Iran Barkley a fight later.

[Expug]

Duran came to Chicago in 1988 to fight young Jeff Lanas. He made a stop at Fuller park gym on Chicagos south side to train. I was there working out also. He had Juan Nazario with him. The two sparred together a few rounds and Juan was giving it to Roberto. Made him look bad. He wasn’t in great shape. Duran fought Lanas at the old Chicago Amphitheater on south Halsted. Big Duran crowd there. Lanas the hometown kid had a few for him but not many. Anyway, the result was Duran winning a split decision. I was ringside and thought Lanas won it. I thought Duran was through. Not so as he went on to more greatness.

I remember Duran dropping Lanas with a low blow which only served to enrage the Chicago man. Duran had his hands full on the night and his reflexes looked iffy in the last round when he dropped his arms to taunt Lanas and was hit with a big right. Without Jeff Lanas, Duran would never have licked Iran Barkley a fight later.

Agree for sure. It may have lit a fire under Duran. Can’t just show up. And that knock down was iffy.

[bennie]

There's an excellent documentary on the fight:

[Expug]

That’s outstanding. Thanks Bennie. Never seen that. Saw Lana’s recently at an event. Good guy. We fought on the same card a couple times. We probably eventually would have fought. Didn’t happen. I would’ve probably come in second place in that one. Lol.

[goose 5]

Did you know Sean Curtin ? Was a friend of mine.

[Expug]

Did you know Sean Curtin ? Was a friend of mine.

I sure did. Knew him very well. Refereed a bunch of my amateur fights in the 70s. I really liked that fella.

[Expug]

I first met Sean when he was running the program at the old cyo gym at Jackson and Racine probably around 78-79. That’s when I got to know him. He was living in Indiana in his later years.

[scartissue]

I was at the fight too - although not at ringside - with my Dad. Duran looked awful with the weight he was carrying. There was no way I would have ever perceived the shape he got into in his next fight with Barkley. It was truly amazing.

[bennie]

That's a horrible low blow from Duran, every bit as bad as Bazooka Limon's low blow against Boza-Edwards.

[Expug]

I was at the fight too - although not at ringside - with my Dad. Duran looked awful with the weight he was carrying. There was no way I would have ever perceived the shape he got into in his next fight with Barkley. It was truly amazing.

Absolutely agree. I really thought Roberto didn’t have a whole lot left. And, when he was sparring with Nazario a few weeks beforehand, he didn’t look good either. Then, he was back.

[goose 5]

Did you see Duran jump rope ?

[Expug]

Did you see Duran jump rope ?

Not that I recall. Wish I did. I’ve seen video of him jumping rope that’s it. Only thing I recall was nazario and him sparring. Been a long time.