51 years ago

Date: 20th January 1973

Venue: Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City

Title: WBA World Lightweight Title

Promoter:

Tv:

Roberto Duran
( 31 - 1 - 0 )
Weight: 135 lbs

Jimmy Robertson
( 26 - 5 - 1 )
Weight: 135 lbs

On Saturday 20th January 1973, Roberto Duran successfully defended his WBA World Lightweight Title against Jimmy Robertson in Panama City, Panama. Duran, who had a record of 31-1-0 going into the fight, was the favorite against the underdog challenger Robertson, who had a record of 26-5-1 but had lost three of his last four fights.

From the first bell, Duran aggressively came forward, but Robertson held his own and even caught the champion with a big right-hand and left-hook in the first round. However, Duran regained control before the round ended, hurting Robertson with a sharp left hook. In the second round, Duran used his superior boxing ability to slip Robertson's power shots, countering with his own harder hooks and uppercuts. He eventually landed a long right that dropped his challenger in ring center.

The rest of the fight was dominated by Duran, who wore down his brave challenger with his strength and superior boxing skills. Despite Robertson's attempts to land a knockout punch, Duran was too strong and could not be turned back. In the fifth round, a short right hook from Duran ended the fight, with Robertson falling into a crouching position and rising just after the referee counted him out at 3:05 of the round.

The victory was an important one for Duran, as it marked the first defense of his WBA World Lightweight Title. Duran was born and raised in Panama City, Panama, and was considered a national hero in his home country. The fight was held at the Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, a well-known boxing venue in Panama City.