Roberto Duran vs Esteban De Jesus III: 40 Years Ago Today...The End of a Rivalry
Posted: 21 Jan 2018, 16:41
On a Saturday afternoon at the Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, NV on the winter of January 21, 1978, WBA World Lightweight Champion, Roberto Duran (26), of Panama City, Panama was unifying for the Undisputed Lightweight Championship against his nemesis and WBC World Lightweight Champion Esteban De Jesus (26), of Carolina, Puerto Rico. This fight was probably one of the great Roberto Duran's performances of his career.
This rivalry started six years earlier in November, 1972 at New York City's Madison Square Garden. De Jesus, a fine boxer and good puncher, dropped Duran in the first round with a terrific left hook to the jaw. It was the first time that The Hands of Stone was ever down of his brilliant career. It set the tone for Esteban to win the fight, moving from side to side, and not giving Duran a easy target to hit. He outsped Duran throwing fast combinations. The win was his from the opening bell, giving Duran the first loss of his professional boxing career. De Jesus won by a 10 round decision. Duran, disgusted with himself, cried in his hotel room and smashed the wall with his fists, saying, "I will never again lose to him! The next time we fight, I am going to knock him out!" DeJesus starts the first blood.
In their rematch this time, on March, 1974 in Panama City, Panama, De Jesus travelled to get the Panamanian's lightweight crown. This time, it was for the world title. This time, was for 15 rounds. It was a rematch that got to be made. It was the second fight between two great and skilled lightweights. De Jesus, a very confident boxer, wanted to prove that the first fight was no fluke. He was a excellent contender that had a 16-fight winning streak. On his last fight before the rematch with Roberto, he stopped Duran's stablemate and former WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion, Alfonso "Peppermint" Frazer, another Panamanian victim in DeJesus' ledger. The fight was in San Juan, Puerto Rico. De Jesus stopped Frazer in the tenth round. A record crowd was in hand at that Saturday hot afternoon of March 16, 1974. The Nuevo Panama Gymnasium was full at its capacity. Even some Puerto Rican supporters that were stationed in the Panama Canal Zone came to see their hero fight the local hero. By the time, Duran was the national hero. He already had 3 title defenses on his belt. But for this defense, Duran trained like never before. There was this motivation. There was this spine that he had to take out and by any cost, he had to win in front of his people. That almost didn't happen. De Jesus dropped Duran again in the first round with the same left hook. The locals could not believe their eyes that their hero was down for the second time by this same man, De Jesus. But, Duran got up like nothing happened. He was much more embarrassed than hurt. He started to trade punches at rapid pace. Both lightweights went at it with reckless abandon. Duran dropped Esteban in the 7th round and the locals went crazy. By round 10, De Jesus was ready to quit. It ended at the first minute of the 11th round. Duran successfully defended the crown and avenged his only defeat. But he paid the price. The local crowd went crazy and now the score is 1-1. De Jesus claimed that the torching heat drained him. That's why he could not continue the rapid pace.
Two years later, Esteban became the WBC World Lightweight Champion in San Juan when he dethroned champion Guts Ishimatsu of Japan in 15 lopsided rounds. He defended the crown 3 times. By 1977, talks and negotiations for a third fight with The Hands of Stone were in the works. It had to happen. Both were 1-1 against each other. Both claimed to be the best of the division. Duran much more so. Both trained hard for the rubber match. Duran went away from his friendly confines in Panama to Los Angeles, CA to train vigorously. This was an important fight for both of them. Panama vs Puerto Rico. It was very intense. Once Duran said that he didn't like De Jesus for a lot of reasons. One was that he was the only guy that stained his record. The other? Well, he was Puerto Rican and was the first man to dropped him, not once, but twice. And the other reason was to show the world that he is the best fighter, not only in the division, but in the whole entire world. And rightly so. Duran had until that point 11 successful title defenses, 10 consecutively won by knockout. Plus, he was irked that Esteban said he was the best lightweight in the world. Duran said "I got 6 years with the lightweight crown. I am the real champion. He only got one year and a half with the other belt. I am going to show Esteban that he got to respect me!" He promised the Panamanian people that "Esteban De Jesus will NEVER EVER, DEFEAT ME AGAIN! NEVER AGAIN!"
The fight was set. Duran was a 2-1 favorite. He was to get paid $250,000 dollars, while De Jesus will get $150,000. At the weigh in, both threw fists at each other causing a mele. These two really hated each other. Surprisingly, it was De Jesus that threw the first punch, not Duran. Round one started, and this time, it was a different Hands of Stone. He didn't rush his opponent like he always does. This time, he took his time by jabbing and boxing and moving side to side. It was a BIG SURPRISE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. The brawler became a boxer at least for this afternoon. It seemed that he improved for the last 6 years with a fantastic record of 62-1, with 51 knockouts. He was already a seasoned professional. The same with De Jesus who came with a excellent record of 52-3, with 30 knockouts. Ironically, when they started the rivalry in '72, De Jesus had 3 more fights than Duran. By the rematch, De Jesus had 43 fights and Duran 42. Now, in this rubber match, Roberto got 63 and Esteban has 55. What a difference 6 years make, right?
There was no first round knockdown this time for the Puerto Rican. This Duran was different. He was a brilliant counter puncher that was well rounded and aware of his surroundings. He had exceptional ring generalship that Saturday afternoon. He controlled the fight. Esteban looked worried and confused at times. He could not believe that he was missing so many punches. His trademark left hook didn't find a target the whole afternoon. But, he was in great shape. Both of them were. At terrific pace they went at it. But this time, with more awareness from each other. One blow could end this fight quickly. And it did end quickly. In round 12, The Hands of Stone gave Vita an upper cut to the jaw and the Puerto Rican went down for the count. He crawled like a ten month old baby to the ropes. Duran, a strong finisher, and at deadly one to say the least, flushed a barrage of left and rights to the head. The cornermen for DeJesus saw that it was enough and a jubilant corner in Roberto Duran came in to the ring to embrace the champion. It was his greatest triumph up to date. He became the Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World!....Finally!
After the fight, Duran said "I was born for this. I was born to be champion of the world!"
THE AFTERMATH:
DURAN went for bigger fish to fry after cleaning up the lightweight class. He had trouble making weight. He had made a record-setting 12 title defenses for the lightweight division. But, he was never as dominant in other weight classes like in lightweight. But, still managed to win 3 more world titles in 3 different weight classes in a rollercoaster fashion. He became one of the top 10 greatest fighters pound per pound of all time in many pundits lists.
DE JESUS was not so lucky after the rubber match. Disgusted with himself, the loss took a toll on him physically and mentally. He challenged for the elusive WBC World Jr Welterweight crown held by champion Saoul Mamby of New York in 1980 and lost by a 13th round stoppage. It was his last fight. Later in that year, he shot and killed an 18 year old man in Puerto Rico in a car traffic dispute. He got life in prison for the crime. In 1985, De Jesus contacted AIDS being himself converted to an ordained minister. He died at age 37 in Puerto Rico from the disease in 1989. Ironically, DURAN, his fiercest and most hated rival, came to see him before Esteban died in his sick bed and hugged him and gave him a kiss, by telling him "You will always be my champion!"
This was an end of one of boxing's most heated rivalries of all time. Like Ali vs Frazier, Duran vs Leonard, Pep vs Saddler, Zale vs Graziano and Barrera vs Morales, this rivalry was a special one among the great ones.
This rivalry started six years earlier in November, 1972 at New York City's Madison Square Garden. De Jesus, a fine boxer and good puncher, dropped Duran in the first round with a terrific left hook to the jaw. It was the first time that The Hands of Stone was ever down of his brilliant career. It set the tone for Esteban to win the fight, moving from side to side, and not giving Duran a easy target to hit. He outsped Duran throwing fast combinations. The win was his from the opening bell, giving Duran the first loss of his professional boxing career. De Jesus won by a 10 round decision. Duran, disgusted with himself, cried in his hotel room and smashed the wall with his fists, saying, "I will never again lose to him! The next time we fight, I am going to knock him out!" DeJesus starts the first blood.
In their rematch this time, on March, 1974 in Panama City, Panama, De Jesus travelled to get the Panamanian's lightweight crown. This time, it was for the world title. This time, was for 15 rounds. It was a rematch that got to be made. It was the second fight between two great and skilled lightweights. De Jesus, a very confident boxer, wanted to prove that the first fight was no fluke. He was a excellent contender that had a 16-fight winning streak. On his last fight before the rematch with Roberto, he stopped Duran's stablemate and former WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion, Alfonso "Peppermint" Frazer, another Panamanian victim in DeJesus' ledger. The fight was in San Juan, Puerto Rico. De Jesus stopped Frazer in the tenth round. A record crowd was in hand at that Saturday hot afternoon of March 16, 1974. The Nuevo Panama Gymnasium was full at its capacity. Even some Puerto Rican supporters that were stationed in the Panama Canal Zone came to see their hero fight the local hero. By the time, Duran was the national hero. He already had 3 title defenses on his belt. But for this defense, Duran trained like never before. There was this motivation. There was this spine that he had to take out and by any cost, he had to win in front of his people. That almost didn't happen. De Jesus dropped Duran again in the first round with the same left hook. The locals could not believe their eyes that their hero was down for the second time by this same man, De Jesus. But, Duran got up like nothing happened. He was much more embarrassed than hurt. He started to trade punches at rapid pace. Both lightweights went at it with reckless abandon. Duran dropped Esteban in the 7th round and the locals went crazy. By round 10, De Jesus was ready to quit. It ended at the first minute of the 11th round. Duran successfully defended the crown and avenged his only defeat. But he paid the price. The local crowd went crazy and now the score is 1-1. De Jesus claimed that the torching heat drained him. That's why he could not continue the rapid pace.
Two years later, Esteban became the WBC World Lightweight Champion in San Juan when he dethroned champion Guts Ishimatsu of Japan in 15 lopsided rounds. He defended the crown 3 times. By 1977, talks and negotiations for a third fight with The Hands of Stone were in the works. It had to happen. Both were 1-1 against each other. Both claimed to be the best of the division. Duran much more so. Both trained hard for the rubber match. Duran went away from his friendly confines in Panama to Los Angeles, CA to train vigorously. This was an important fight for both of them. Panama vs Puerto Rico. It was very intense. Once Duran said that he didn't like De Jesus for a lot of reasons. One was that he was the only guy that stained his record. The other? Well, he was Puerto Rican and was the first man to dropped him, not once, but twice. And the other reason was to show the world that he is the best fighter, not only in the division, but in the whole entire world. And rightly so. Duran had until that point 11 successful title defenses, 10 consecutively won by knockout. Plus, he was irked that Esteban said he was the best lightweight in the world. Duran said "I got 6 years with the lightweight crown. I am the real champion. He only got one year and a half with the other belt. I am going to show Esteban that he got to respect me!" He promised the Panamanian people that "Esteban De Jesus will NEVER EVER, DEFEAT ME AGAIN! NEVER AGAIN!"
The fight was set. Duran was a 2-1 favorite. He was to get paid $250,000 dollars, while De Jesus will get $150,000. At the weigh in, both threw fists at each other causing a mele. These two really hated each other. Surprisingly, it was De Jesus that threw the first punch, not Duran. Round one started, and this time, it was a different Hands of Stone. He didn't rush his opponent like he always does. This time, he took his time by jabbing and boxing and moving side to side. It was a BIG SURPRISE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. The brawler became a boxer at least for this afternoon. It seemed that he improved for the last 6 years with a fantastic record of 62-1, with 51 knockouts. He was already a seasoned professional. The same with De Jesus who came with a excellent record of 52-3, with 30 knockouts. Ironically, when they started the rivalry in '72, De Jesus had 3 more fights than Duran. By the rematch, De Jesus had 43 fights and Duran 42. Now, in this rubber match, Roberto got 63 and Esteban has 55. What a difference 6 years make, right?
There was no first round knockdown this time for the Puerto Rican. This Duran was different. He was a brilliant counter puncher that was well rounded and aware of his surroundings. He had exceptional ring generalship that Saturday afternoon. He controlled the fight. Esteban looked worried and confused at times. He could not believe that he was missing so many punches. His trademark left hook didn't find a target the whole afternoon. But, he was in great shape. Both of them were. At terrific pace they went at it. But this time, with more awareness from each other. One blow could end this fight quickly. And it did end quickly. In round 12, The Hands of Stone gave Vita an upper cut to the jaw and the Puerto Rican went down for the count. He crawled like a ten month old baby to the ropes. Duran, a strong finisher, and at deadly one to say the least, flushed a barrage of left and rights to the head. The cornermen for DeJesus saw that it was enough and a jubilant corner in Roberto Duran came in to the ring to embrace the champion. It was his greatest triumph up to date. He became the Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World!....Finally!
After the fight, Duran said "I was born for this. I was born to be champion of the world!"
THE AFTERMATH:
DURAN went for bigger fish to fry after cleaning up the lightweight class. He had trouble making weight. He had made a record-setting 12 title defenses for the lightweight division. But, he was never as dominant in other weight classes like in lightweight. But, still managed to win 3 more world titles in 3 different weight classes in a rollercoaster fashion. He became one of the top 10 greatest fighters pound per pound of all time in many pundits lists.
DE JESUS was not so lucky after the rubber match. Disgusted with himself, the loss took a toll on him physically and mentally. He challenged for the elusive WBC World Jr Welterweight crown held by champion Saoul Mamby of New York in 1980 and lost by a 13th round stoppage. It was his last fight. Later in that year, he shot and killed an 18 year old man in Puerto Rico in a car traffic dispute. He got life in prison for the crime. In 1985, De Jesus contacted AIDS being himself converted to an ordained minister. He died at age 37 in Puerto Rico from the disease in 1989. Ironically, DURAN, his fiercest and most hated rival, came to see him before Esteban died in his sick bed and hugged him and gave him a kiss, by telling him "You will always be my champion!"
This was an end of one of boxing's most heated rivalries of all time. Like Ali vs Frazier, Duran vs Leonard, Pep vs Saddler, Zale vs Graziano and Barrera vs Morales, this rivalry was a special one among the great ones.