Roberto Duran vs Vinny Pazienza for the vacant IBC super middleweight title

Date: June 25, 1994

Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Kas Vegas

Duran stance: orthodox

Pazienza stance: orthodox

After Roberto Duran took the WBC middleweight crown from Iran Barkley, he moved up and challenged Sugar Ray Leonard for his WBC super middleweight belt. Duran lost on points and took 15 months off. On his return, he lost in six rounds to fringe contender Pat Lawlor. Duran spent another 18 months out of the ring, but when he returned he won seven consecutive bouts. Just a few days after turning 43, Duran stepped up to world class for his next fight.

Vinny Pazienza turned pro in 1983 and won the IBF lightweight title from Greg Haugen on points in 1987. Pazienza lost a rematch to Haugen a few months later. He challenged for the light welterweight title on three occasions, losing to Roger Mayweather, Hector Camacho and Loreto Garza. Pazienza then moved up to light middleweight and took the WBA title from Gilbert Delé with a 12 round stoppage in 1991. Shortly after that win, Pazienza broke his neck in a car crash and was advised he might never walk again. He returned to the ring 13 months after his accident and won his next six fights as a middleweight. The best results were against former welterweight champion Lloyd Honeyghan and Robbie Sims.

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

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

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

Please note: most of the first round is missing