Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Adolfo Viruet
Ray Leonard 144 lbs beat Adolfo Viruet 147 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1979-04-21
- Location: Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- Referee: Richard Green
- Judge: Duane Ford 47-42
- Judge: Art Lurie 47-44
- Judge: Hal Miller 48-42
Leonard Decisions Viruet in 10
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — "He wasn't the toughest fighter I've faced, but he was one of the most determined," said undefeated welterweight Sugar Ray Leonard after his unanimous decision over Adolfo Viruet Saturday.
Leonard, the former 139-pound Olympic gold medalist at Montreal and 21-0 as a pro, spent the early rounds solving Viruet's unorthodox style before taking command of the fight. Giving up three inches in reach and three pounds, Leonard used his swarming offense to build a big lead in the 10-round battle.
Leonard floored the 27-year-old Viruet for an eight-count in the fourth round but couldn't put him away. "I knew he was hurt. He was still dazed. Experience pulled him through," said Leonard.
Leonard, who weighed 144½, earned $200,000 for the victory while Viruet, who had never been off his feet in 20 previous pro fights, got $40,000.
Viruet rallied to win the ninth round and weathered the 10th when Leonard tried desperately for the knockout. The closest judge’s card was Art Lurie's, who had it 47-44. Hal Miller scored it 48-42 and Dwayne Ford had it 47-42.
Viruet, now 17-4, was warned twice for low blows and once each for holding and elbowing.
During the ninth, Leonard slipped during a flurry of punches by Viruet.
Afterwards, Viruet complained of a possible fractured right hand suffered during the fourth round.
The hand was to be x-rayed.
Leonard was confused at times by Viruet’s awkward style but scored with flurries to build up a big lead. Leonard, ranked sixth by the World Boxing Association, is to fight Marcos Geraldo May 20 in New Orleans.
It was Leonard's 61st consecutive victory, dating back to his days as a three-time national Golden Gloves champion.
Viruet's trainer, Joe Dimaria, turned up in the corner three days after suffering a heart attack.
A standing-room-only crowd of 2,100 at the Dune's Crown Jewel Room applauded Viruet's game performance after the decision was announced. [1]