Remember the name...
Posted: 28 Jan 2004, 10:00
Ray Lampkin III could be a chip off the old block. The 20-year-old son of the former world lightweight title challenger from Portland gets a shot at making the American Olympic team next month.
His pop, Ray Lampkin, gave Roberto Duran his toughest challenge as a lightweight and lasted 14 rounds before a savage left hook coldcocked him. Afterwards, Duran uttered his infamous quote. "I wasn't in shape. If I had been in shape, he wouldn't be in the hosptial, he would be in the morgue."
The young Lampkin will compete in the Olympic Trials between February 16-21. He's the second-ranked featherweight in the country.
PS: With a microphone shoved in front of him, Duran's comments were translated to the U.S TV audience as above. Spanish speaking fight scholars insist that Duran praised Lampkin's skill and courage and said something more along the lines of: "A good thing I didn't hit him any harder or they'd have to bury him."
Lampkin was hospitalized with a massive concussion. Although tests showed no sign of internal bleeding or clots, his left leg was paralyzed. Duran was too exhausted to attend his own victory celebration, but he came to visit Lampkin in the hospital. President Ford telephoned with warm wishes for Lampkin. The Panamanians treated him like a hero. When he flew back to Portland a week later, still in a wheelchair, Mayor Goldschmidt and a cheering crowd met him at the airport.
He probably should have hung up his gloves right then, but he didn't. Now, 30 years later, Ray Lampkin isn't a lightweight anymore but he's sure-footed. One rainy spring morning he's walking the wet roof of a house in North Portland with a clip board and a tape measure when his cell phone rings. Planting himself, he digs in a pocket for the phone and makes another appointment for that afternoon.
He is honcho of his own company, Lampkin General Construction.
His pop, Ray Lampkin, gave Roberto Duran his toughest challenge as a lightweight and lasted 14 rounds before a savage left hook coldcocked him. Afterwards, Duran uttered his infamous quote. "I wasn't in shape. If I had been in shape, he wouldn't be in the hosptial, he would be in the morgue."
The young Lampkin will compete in the Olympic Trials between February 16-21. He's the second-ranked featherweight in the country.
PS: With a microphone shoved in front of him, Duran's comments were translated to the U.S TV audience as above. Spanish speaking fight scholars insist that Duran praised Lampkin's skill and courage and said something more along the lines of: "A good thing I didn't hit him any harder or they'd have to bury him."
Lampkin was hospitalized with a massive concussion. Although tests showed no sign of internal bleeding or clots, his left leg was paralyzed. Duran was too exhausted to attend his own victory celebration, but he came to visit Lampkin in the hospital. President Ford telephoned with warm wishes for Lampkin. The Panamanians treated him like a hero. When he flew back to Portland a week later, still in a wheelchair, Mayor Goldschmidt and a cheering crowd met him at the airport.
He probably should have hung up his gloves right then, but he didn't. Now, 30 years later, Ray Lampkin isn't a lightweight anymore but he's sure-footed. One rainy spring morning he's walking the wet roof of a house in North Portland with a clip board and a tape measure when his cell phone rings. Planting himself, he digs in a pocket for the phone and makes another appointment for that afternoon.
He is honcho of his own company, Lampkin General Construction.