38 years ago
Bernardo Pinango vs Frankie Duarte
Date: 3rd February 1987
Venue: Forum, Inglewood, CaliforniaTitle: WBA World Bantamweight Title
Promoter: Goossen Boxing, Forum Boxing
Referee: Hubert Earle
Tv: CBS Sports
Bernardo Pinango
(
20
-
2
-
2
)
Weight: 118 lbs
Frankie Duarte
(
41
-
6
-
1
)
Weight: 117¾ lbs
On February 3, 1987, the Forum in Inglewood, California, played host to a high-stakes encounter as Venezuela's Bernardo Pinango defended his WBA World Bantamweight Title against local fighter Frankie Duarte. This bout marked Pinango's third defence of the title he had secured from Gaby Canizales eight months prior, highlighting his tenure as a travelling champion accustomed to facing adversaries in their backyards.
Bernardo Pinango, with a record of 20-2-2 and weighing in at 118 lbs, had not only demonstrated his prowess in the ring but also his adaptability and willingness to fight across the globe. Having competed in places as varied as New Jersey, Turin, Johannesburg, and now Inglewood, Pinango brought a wealth of experience and a tactical approach honed through diverse challenges. His Olympic silver medal from the 1980 Moscow Games had been a springboard into a professional career characterized by agility and a knack for scoring under pressure.
Frankie Duarte, entering the ring with a record of 41-6-1 and weighing 117¾ lbs, was buoyed by a supportive hometown crowd at the Forum. Known for his relentless pressure fighting, Duarte's journey to this title fight was both inspiring and emblematic of the hard-nosed, never-say-die attitude that often defines the best of boxing.
The fight unfolded in front of the knowledgeable Forum crowd. Pinango employed a hit-and-move tactic that saw him leverage his range and speed to land quick combinations on Duarte, accumulating points while minimizing counterattack exposure. Despite suffering from a severe cut above his right brow, Duarte remained undeterred, pressing forward with a ferocity that echoed the cinematic heroics of Rocky Balboa—aptly, with Sylvester Stallone watching ringside.
As the rounds progressed, the action intensified. Duarte's pressure seemed to find a crack in Pinango's armour in the 10th round when he managed to stagger the champion. Momentum appeared to shift in the 12th round when Duarte sent Pinango to the canvas with a well-placed right cross, much to the elation of the local fans. However, Pinango's championship mettle was on display as he rose and fought back, managing to regain composure and fend off Duarte's advances.
After 15 rounds of pulsating action, the fight went to the judges' scorecards, which read 143-140, 145-140, and 142-141, favouring Bernardo Pinango. While Pinango was undoubtedly the busier fighter, scoring more frequently with his rapid combinations, the scoring, particularly the 145-140 card, was met with skepticism. This score insufficiently accounts for the knockdown and the point deductions for Pinango's repeated low blows, sparking debates among fans and analysts about the fairness and accuracy of the decision.
Bernardo Pinango's victory allowed him to retain his WBA World Bantamweight Title and set the stage for his move up in weight class, where he would eventually capture the WBA World Super Bantamweight title in 1988. For Frankie Duarte, despite the loss, the fight represented a high watermark in a career defined by grit and perseverance, solidifying his reputation as a fighter of great heart and determination.
Bernardo Pinango vs Frankie Duarte on YouTube
