Vinny Pazienza vs. Roberto Duran (1st meeting)

Vinny Pazienza 165 lbs beat Roberto Duran 164 lbs by UD in round 12 of 12

• Date: 1994-06-25
• Location: MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
• Referee: Joe Cortez
• Judge: Jerry Roth 117-112
• Judge: Chuck Giampa 117-113
• Judge: Dave Moretti 117-112

• IBC Super Middleweight Title (Vacant title)

Notes

• See also: Vinny Pazienza vs. Roberto Duran (2nd meeting)

Summary

Pazienza Beats Duran
The New York Times
June 26, 1994

Vinny Pazienza entered the ring tonight with white stripes painted on his face and left it with blood streaming from a cut.

In between, the 31-year-old pounded out a unanimous 12-round decision over the 43-year-old Roberto Duran at the M-G-M Grand. Judge Chuck Giampa scored the middleweight bout 117-113 and Dave Moretti and Jerry Roth had it 117-112, although they all raised eyebrows by scoring the fifth round even (10-10) despite a clean knockdown by Duran.

Pazienza got up immediately and took a mandatory 8-count. Later in the round, the fighters' heads collided and Pazienza was cut above the right eye. Blood streamed from the cut for the rest of the fight, but didn't seem to bother him.

Pazienza, now 30-8-5 with 27 knockouts, dominated the second half of the fight as Duran tired, but admitted: "I thought I would beat him easier. I was a little off."

Duran maintained that he was the rightful victor. "If this kid's so tough, look at his face and look at me," he said. "I didn't lose the fight."

Duran, 93-10 with 65 knockouts, isn't ready to give up yet. Asked if he would consider retiring, he said: "No. I will fight."

Preceded by: Tiberi vs. Hall

IBC Super Middleweight Title Fight # 2

Succeeded by: Pazienza vs. Duran II