BoxingDepot is an Upfront Merchant on TheFind. Click for info.

The Hands of Stone struck again as Roberto Duran emerged as the undisputed world lightweight champion in his battle against Esteban Dejesus at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with a KO at 2:32 of the 12th round.

 

Duran, the WBA champion from Panama and Dejesus the WBC champion from Puerto Rico met for the third time on a Don King promoted show aptly called “The Combat Zone.”

 

Dejesus, at 134, and Duran at 134 ½, are long time enemies. The two started their bitter battle on Saturday at the early morning weigh in when Dejesus took a swing at his opponent, and Duran countered with an attempted blow that was stopped by his trainers.

 

Their mutual hatred was evident from the opening bell of the title fight. Dejesus came out swinging, jabbing and hitting. Duran played a waiting game in the early rounds-a game that proved his mettle as world champion.

 

Dejesus took the early rounds as Duran circled around the ring countering with some vicious jabs to the body and head. Dejesus was staggered briefly when Duran pinned him against the ropes in the second round.

 

The third round saw the beginning of an all out brawl as Dejesus worked to Duran's head and the Panamanian countered with body blows.

 

Dejesus, who was smiling and confident through the third round, became somber and disoriented from the fourth round on. The former WBC champion suffered from a lack of timing. Numerous swings to Duran's head and body missed their target. Esteban began to wear down in the fourth round as he attmepted to dance away from Duran's battering.

 

Dejesus revived in the fifth round and managed some stunning rights to his opponent's head. Duran countered with brutal blows to the body, and the round ended with a wild exchange of punches against the ropes. Excerpted from Ring Boxing Magazine April 1978

 

ROBERTO DURAN BOXING CAREER ON DVD

 

ESTEBAN DEJESUS BOXING CAREER ON DVD

 

 

‹ Go back to the blog

Comments

Leave a comment

comments have to be approved before showing up

Recent Blog Posts