Roberto Duran vs. Esteban DeJesus (3rd meeting)

Roberto Duran 134 lbs beat Esteban De Jesus 134 lbs by TKO at 2:32 in round 12 of 15

Date: 1978-01-21
Location: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Referee: Buddy Basilico
Judge: Richard Steele 107-104
Judge: Art Lurie 107-102
Judge: Isidro Rodriguez 109-104

World Boxing Association Lightweight Title (12th defense by Duran)
World Boxing Council Lightweight Title (4th defense by DeJesus)

"Panama's Roberto Duran dramatically ended a close fight with a 12th-round TKO Saturday of Esteban DeJesus of Puerto Rico to win the undisputed lightweight boxing championship of the world. The fight was virtually even until Duran connected with a short right hand, putting DeJesus down. The Puerto Rican got up, only to run into a barrage of blows and was helpless when co-trainer Manny Siaca entered the ring and called for referee Buddy Basilico to stop the bout. Duran showed a swelling under his right eye in the 5th round and at the end of that stanza DeJesus was spitting blood. Other than that, there were no visible marks and neither boxer went down until Duran scored with the right in the 12th. The title fight was a bruising battle from its start to its sudden finish, although all three judges had Duran ahead after 11 rounds, by margins of three to five points." - Associated Press

Notes

Duran was a 2-1 favorite.
Duran earned $250,000, while DeJesus got $150,000.
The fight took place at the Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion.
The fight was televised nationally by CBS.
All three judges had Duran ahead at the time of the knockout. Art Lurie had him ahead 107-102, Isidor Rodriques had him in front 109-104, and Richard Steele had him leading 107-104.
The AP report had DeJesus ahead by one point after 11 rounds, although no point total was given.
Duran became the Undisputed World Lightweight Champion.
This was Duran's last fight as a lightweight.