Roberto Duran vs. Kirkland Laing – Upset of the Year in 1982
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
In British boxing circles, he was called ‘The Gifted One’. Today’s boxing editorial will be a Real Combat Media Historical lookback at the 1982 Upset of the Year, and most likely the most obscure upset of the 1980s, the late former British and European Welterweight champion Kirkland Laing’s solid points upset of multiple division world champion Roberto ‘Hands of Stone’ Duran.
The bout went off at junior middleweight. Though Duran took many bouts at junior middleweight and middleweight, this bout was actually Roberto’s first venture at the middleweight weight limit, as Roberto showed up at 155 pounds middleweight to Laing’s 149 ¼ pounds. This bout took place right after Roberto lost a unanimous decision to Wilfredo Benitez at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in January 1982, a 15 round unanimous decision for Benitez.
Duran showed up at Cobo Hall in Detroit in September 1092 to do battle with Laing, then 23-3-1 to Duran’s 74-3 (Duran’s other losses at the time were a win and loss to Esteban DeJesus, and a win and a loss with Sugar Ray Leonard). Despite losing to Liang, Duran would go on to stop former World Welterweight champion Pipino Cuevas, and then stop Davey Moore to win the WBA World Super Middleweight title, and win a shot at the IBF World Middleweight title held at that time by the late Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
Laing had reach advantage and preferred to outwork Duran at center ring using good footwork, forcing Duran to lunge at Laing in an attempt to reach him with his right hand, allowing Laing to launch a counter left in a large 24 feet of ring. It was Tom and Jerry, with Laing on the move, and Duran being forced to chase.
Laing began circling the ring with his long legs, and Duran was unable to cut the ring off on his top condition, agile, and elusive opponent. Duran finally began landing right hands, but was met with Laing’s counter left and right combinations or counter right. After each exchange, both men frequently got tied up. Laing discovered his punches, when thrown, were actually landing. Enjoying both height and reach advantage, Laing became more confident as the rounds progressed.
Laing’s punches were quick, and Laing had speed. Duran, struggling to get inside, boxed somewhat ineffectively when he did get inside. Laing had consistent success with his left and right jab combinations. Duran found a place for his right, however Laing was outworking Duran. Laing came to fight, and the strength of his game plan was Laing was more accurate than Duran, which led to a mouse quickly forming on the left cheekbone of Duran. Duran, suffering from seven months of inactivity, appeared ring rusty, and his usual ability to slip punches was lackluster. Laing’s short lead right hand and left hook were landing, and Duran, trying to tie Laing up, appeared frustrated because he was unable to hurt Laing at the higher weight.
Laing began doubling and tripling his jabs while moving Duran around the ring. Duran, with no head movement, appeared too much of a stationary target. It was Mickey Duff in the corner of Laing who told Laing there was no need to run, Duran was getting hit with what Laing was throwing, and Liang was better off holding his ground and fighting toe to toe with Duran.
Laing began smothering Duran over the past few rounds, pushing him off. Duran landed his famed right hand, but Duran’s right had no power. Laing was hitting Duran with a straight left and a power right hand, handling him well enough to outpoint him. Laing was able to remain upright, take Duran’s best shots, and made Duran look bad at the higher weight. Some critics prophesied the career of Duran, at age 31, was over after this bout.
Experts scored the bout 98-93. The judges scored it 96-94, 96-94 Laing, and 96-95 Duran. Laing appeared to win at least eight of the ten rounds, so scoring had some favoritism. Laing clearly won the bout. Laing passed away in 2021 at age 66. Duran, age 72, a peaceful man, can be seen today at autograph shows and World Boxing Council annual events. This was, at the time, the biggest win of Laing’s career, who would go on to win the European Welterweight champion.
English
No Comments Yet