TRUE CHAMPIONS

By Stephen S. Johnson

DENVER, COLORADO (InsideBoxing) - Both Roberto Duran and Hector Camacho have finalized their preparations for tomorrow nights' battle in Denver. No more talk, only action is left.

The Friday afternoon weigh-in provided the 500 or so in attendance with a glimpse of what is shaping up to be an epic battle between two future Hall-of-Fame fighters.

The 50 year old Duran weighed in at a tight 162 pounds. There is not one ounce of visible fat on the Panamanian legend. If there ever was a fight Duran wanted as much as this one it cannot be compared by physical appearance.

The face of Duran has that of a man on a mission. He smiled for the cameras only as much as he had to. When the last camera shutter had clicked, Duran turned and gave a menacing glare towards Camacho. This fight is strictly business for Duran.

The 39 year old Camacho weighed a svelte 159 pounds. As has always been the case with the Puerto Rican star, there is a slight pudge around the waist. That should not be interpreted as fat. Camacho too, is in great shape.

Today, the look on the face of Camacho is quite different than that of yesterdays' press conference. Seeming to focus on the task at hand, the day priors' joking and clown sideshow for the benefit of the media is no more.

Saturday night at the PEPSI CENTER in Denver, Colorado two of the all-time greatest fighters in the history of boxing will go at it in a scheduled 12 round title bout. The NBA Super Middleweight belt now held by Duran is what's at stake.

Regardless the outcome, the Denver boxing fan in particular has been able to enjoy the atmosphere of what big-time boxing is all about. The antics of both fighters (while sometimes melodramatic) have well served the hype building up to tomorrow nights' event.

With neither fighter having the benefit of a "home field advantage" there is only the pride of a true champion at stake. The winner of this fight will definitely have bragging rights since there will be no Duran vs Camacho III.

Roberto Duran and Hector Camacho will undoubtedly provide all in attendance as well as those viewing via pay-per-view with a performance worthy of the phrase CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT.

There will be no loser tomorrow night. There will be two true champions in the ring who will remain just that.