26 years ago

Date: 28th August 1998

Title: WBA World Middleweight Title

Promoter: Don King

Tv: Showtime

William Joppy
( 25 - 1 - 1 )
Weight: 160 lbs

Roberto Duran
( 101 - 13 - 0 )
Weight: 159 lbs

In a clash of two boxers from different generations, William Joppy and Roberto Duran faced off on Friday, August 28th, 1998, for the WBA World Middleweight Title. Joppy, who was defending his title for the first time in his second reign, was nearly two decades younger than Duran, who was attempting to win his fifth world title in four weight classes.

The fight started off with both boxers feeling each other out in the first two rounds, with neither fighter landing any significant blows. However, in the third round, Joppy began to find his rhythm and landed a series of powerful punches that had Duran reeling. Joppy's speed and strength proved to be too much for Duran, and at 2:54 in the third round, the referee stopped the fight, awarding Joppy a TKO victory.

For Duran, it was a disappointing end to a storied career. Despite claiming that he was fighting for the love of the sport, Duran's age and physical decline were evident in the ring. However, Joppy's victory was a testament to his skill and ability as a boxer. He proved that he was not just a one-hit wonder, defending his title with a dominant performance against a legend of the sport.

Joppy's victory also solidified his place as one of the top boxers in his weight class. He would go on to defend his title twice more before losing it to Félix Trinidad in 2001. Duran, on the other hand, would retire from professional boxing after four more fights, bringing an end to one of the most illustrious careers in the sport's history.

Despite the age difference between the two fighters, the fight between Joppy and Duran was an exciting clash of styles while it lasted. Joppy's speed and power were on full display, while Duran's experience and ring generalship allowed him to stay competitive early on. Ultimately, however, Joppy's youth and strength proved to be too much for Duran, leading to a TKO victory for the defending champion.