Ken Buchanan vs. Roberto Duran ~ June 26, 1972

[Bill Paxtom]

Roberto Duran

The 'word' was, just exactly who has this 'cocky' 21 year-old Panamanian beaten.

Back on March 28, 1970 - an 18 1/2 year-old Roberto was given all sorts of trouble
by #16 WBA Junior-Lightweight - {Los Angeles} - Felipe 'The Flash' Torres, where
he was staggered 'twice' and badly hurt, only to recover and win a hard-fought
10-Round Decision at the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City.

And in his next bout {May 16, 1970}, Roberto battled tooth-and-nail with his
countryman - the crafty but light-hitting Ernesto Marcel who was the #10 WBA
ranked Featherweight. In that bout the fight was 'all-even' after 9-Rounds. But
Roberto did come on in Round 10, where an over-anxious Referee stopped the
bout with only 10-Seconds left in the fight.