50 years ago

Date: 21st December 1974

Title: WBA World Lightweight Title

Promoter:

Tv:

Roberto Duran
( 46 - 1 - 0 )
Weight: 133½ lbs

Masataka Takayama
( 21 - 5 - 1 )
Weight: 133¾ lbs

Roberto Duran faced Japanese contender Masataka Takayama on Saturday 21st December 1974 at the Plaza de Toros in Zapote, Costa Rica.  Duran, with a record of 46-1-0, was the heavy favorite going into the fight against Takayama, whose record was 21-5-1.

The fight itself was a brief encounter, with Duran quickly asserting his dominance over his opponent.

In the first round, Takayama was dropped to the canvas three times by Duran. Referee Julio Cesar Soto stepped in to save Takayama from further punishment, awarding Duran the victory by TKO at 1:55 of the round. It was a clinical performance from the Panamanian, who successfully defended his lightweight championship for the fifth time.