Vinny Pazienza defended his IBC super middleweight title against Roberto Duran

Date: January 14, 1995

Venue: Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey

Pazienza stance: orthodox

Duran stance: orthodox

It seems strange to see two boxers who won world titles as lightweights contest a so-called world title at super middleweight, but that is what Vinny Pazienza and Roberto Duran had done seven months earlier. Pazienza's points win had earned him the IBC "world title". Four months later, Pazienza had a routine points win over journeyman Rafael Williams. Now, it was time for a rematch to settle the arguments from those who felt Duran had won their first meeting.

Roberto Duran scored a knockdown in his first fight with Pazienza, and most observers believed he scored a legitimate knockdown in the second round of their contest that was ruled a slip by referee Joe Cortez. Consequently, a lot of people felt Duran was robbed in that fight. Duran had a warm up fight against journeyman Heath Todd, which he won in the sixth round. The main concern for the Duran camp was their man was 43 years old. How much longer could he compete against elite level boxers?

For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:

Vinny Pazienza - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/601

Roberto Duran - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/000080