By Stephen S. Johnson 07/12/01
DENVER, CO (INSIDE BOXING) - This Saturday night two boxing legends, Hector "Macho" Camacho and Roberto "Hands of Stone" Duran, will do battle.
Denver's PEPSI CENTER will be the stage for a rematch of a fight that in 1996
Camacho won by unpopular decision. Duran has pursued Camacho in an attempt to
avenge that defeat ever since.
The initial thought of the 39 year old Camacho taking on the now 50 year old Duran was "Why would anyone want to see that?" The Thursday afternoon press conference held at the PEPSI CENTER answered that question and many others.
Enter Hector "Macho Camacho". Himself a 5-time World Champion with a record of 74-4-2 with 36 KO's, Camacho has never ducked anyone. Dazzling hand and foot speed is what defined Camacho in his prime years.
Flamboyant in dress and style, the self proclaimed "Macho Man" has
suffered four defeats at the hands of champions whose names are easily
recognized. Oscar de la Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Greg Haugen and Julio Cesar Chavez
are the only fighters able to say they defeated the "Macho Man".
Enter Roberto "Hands of Stone" Duran. Another 5-time World Champion with a record of 104-15 with 69 KO's, Duran is widely considered the best lightweight fighter in the history of boxing.
During the period 1972-1978 Duran dominated the lightweight division. Defending the title some 12 times he won 11 of those defenses by knockout. He never lost a Lightweight Championship fight only relinquishing that title to move up in weight.
But that was then and this is now.
Both fighters appear to be in top condition. Not for a 50 year old and a 39 year old, but for anyone! Both are at the top of their promotional game and were not hesitant to inform anyone that was listening there will be no love lost between the two once they enter the ring Saturday night.
Prior to the beginning of the press conference there seemed to be no animosity between the two fighters. But as the media assembled there was an obvious change in the mood and demeanor of both fighters. Particularly that of Roberto Duran.
Camacho paced the area in front of the table where Duran sat awaiting his turn to speak. Before any introductions had been made, the obviously irritated Duran used many expletives instructing Camacho to take a seat.
Introduced first Camacho wasted no time in countering Duran's comments by saying that he was still able to move around and the older Duran was uncomfortable with his own inability to do so.
Needless to say, from there on DURAN VS CAMACHO II took on a whole new light.
Camacho is at all times the attention grabber. Duran never appreciates anyone not showing him the respect he feels he deserves. Camacho makes continuous references to the age of Duran and the fact that he beat him in their previous encounter.
From Duran there is only the look of a man determined to avenge one of the losses that leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. He clearly despises the antics the "Macho Man" uses in the pre-fight hype.
Besides the live viewing audience the fight will be broadcast on a pay-per-view basis. There is a pretty attractive undercard that will grab the attention of many.
Welterweight Oba Carr, himself a former World Champion battles Norberto Sandoval of Mexico in a 10 round co-main event. The hard punching Ann Wolfe, who has an unbelievable "rags to riches" life story, will take on Diane Clark in what should be an interesting match of female fighters.
The "Macho Man" against the "Hands of Stone"…doesn't seem like such a ridiculous idea after all.