Robert Duran

v.

Nino Gonzalez

Cleveland, Ohio

Roberto Duran, "Hands of Stone", is back. Time-worn, chipped and not as bone-crushing as he once was. But he's back.

In front of 7,000 as the Public Hall, Duran fought as Duran once did-or atleast, tried to fight as Duran once did-and punched out an unanious 10-recound decision over tough, young Nino Gonzalez.

...For the first three rounds of the fight, Gonzalez fulfilled his promise and backed up his words with punches-volleys of them. He made the legendary former lightweight and welterweight champion-who hasn't fought since his inglorious moment of "No Mas" against Sugar Ray Leonard last November 25-stop his forward motion on several ocassions with sharp hooks and straight, jolting right hands. One of those rights caught Duran flush on the chin midway through the second round. He felt the punch down to his toes, but grinned as if the didn't faze him; as is he wanted "Mas".

...A change came over Gonzalez in the fourth round. He began to fight as if constantly thinking thoughts such as "Wow, I'm really in here with the great Roberto Duran." Hints of intimidation began to show, where, in the previous three rounds, no such hints were detectable.

A jarring right hand found Gonzalez' jaw in the fifth round, again bringing screams of delight from Duran's worshippers. ..

By now, Duran was looking physically stronger and heavier than Gonzalez...The pounds weren't the only advantage...Vast experience was another...

The seventh, eighth, and ninth rounds were fiercely contested. But there was a difference. A major difference. More than pounds. More than experience. The big difference was Gonzalez merely WANTED to win; Duran HAD to win...

Referee Jack Keough scored the fight 48-44 for Duran, Judges Ed Maguire and Vito Mazeo had it 47-43 and 49-45 respectively for Duran..

-Randy Gordon. The Ring. October, 1981

Vintage Original On-Site Programe

Condition: Fine

Size: 8 1/2 x 11 inches ( 4 pp)

Price: $ 65.00

Shipping & Handling $10.00 the United States. $15.00 to Foreign Destinations

2000-2380

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