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From the archive · May 23, 1976

Roberto Duran vs Lou Bizzarro

WBA World Lightweight Title · County Field House, Erie, Pennsylvania

Roberto Duran

Record 55-1-0 · 133¼ lb

Lou Bizzarro

Record 22-0-0 · 134 lb

Roberto Duran vs Lou Bizzarro, Sunday, May 23, 1976

The fight

Roberto Duran successfully defended his WBA World Lightweight Title for the eighth time in a fight against Lou Bizzarro at County Field House in Erie, Pennsylvania on Sunday 23rd May 1976. Duran's record before the fight was 51 wins, 1 loss, and no draws, while Bizzarro had a record of 22 wins and no losses. Duran weighed in at 133¼ lbs, while Bizzarro weighed in at 134 lbs. The referee for the fight was Waldemar Schmidt.

Bizzarro employed a strategy of evading Duran and holding him when he got too close. However, Duran eventually cut off the ring and began to land lightning-fast jabs that slowly but surely took Bizzarro apart. Despite his brave performance, Bizzarro's eyes were bruised, battered, and swollen shut, and the fight came to an end in the 14th round when Bizzarro clung to Duran's legs after the final knockdown. The promoter of the fight was Don Elbaum who managed Lou and his older brother Johnny.

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