The Boxing History Blog

07th December 1989, Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas WBC Super-Middleweight Title Ray Leonard Vs Roberto Duran Thomas Hearns's trainer, Emanuel Steward, expected Leonard-Hearns III to go ahead in November 1989 at Caesars Palace, to settle the impasse produced from their second meeting. "We are tentatively set to go into training for that bout on 01st September," Steward was quoted as saying on 07th July 1989 in the New York Times. "But this time Thomas will have parity in the purses paid to the fighters." However, team Hearns was left disappointed as on 16th July 1989 a press conference was held at the famous Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, New York, to officially announce Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran III. "Everybody who has a Thoams Hearns fight signed and sealed for the 02nd November at Caesars Palace is way ahead of the game," claimed Mike Trainer. "This is a better deal for Ray, because Hearns was seeking parity. He wanted as...

25th November 1980, Superdrome, New Orleans, Louisiana WBC Welterweight Title Roberto Duran Vs Ray Leonard The new champion partied hard after his victory over Ray Leonard. Duran ate, drank and partied some more. In late September the new king of boxing received a call from his manager Carlos Eleta, telling him that the rematch would be in November. "Are you fucking crazy?" Duran shouted. "I weigh nearly two-hundred-pounds (90.72 KG). I can't drop all that weight in a month." The reason for a quick rematch was duly down to the amount of money Don King, who promoted the fight and Carlos Eleta would make. Duran however, knew he would lose as he was so drained making the 147 pounds (66.68 KG) limit that he was suffering from stomach cramps. Three days before the contest Eleta claimed that his fighter had used diuretic medication to get his weight off, but this was refuted by Duran and his personal physician Dr. Orlando Nunez. This ti...