Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 107

Section 2 Tribune, Saturday, June 21, 1980 2 persons killed at Toledo arena Sugar Ray Leonard exults after a knockout victory. Leonard: From Montreal to Montreal Boxing notes Skillfully manipulated by the crafty Angelo Dundee, Leonard won the WBC welterweight championship less than three years later when he knocked out champion Wilfred Benitez with only 6 seconds remaining In the 15th round. Aside from Benitez, Leonard met few fighters of quality in his first 27 pro bouts. In his first defense of the title he knocked out Dave "Boy" Green, a once-tough Englishman well past his prime. There was an air of mystery, therefore, about his meeting with Roberto Duran here Friday night.

Many fight experts thought it was the first true test for Leonard. dama, to win another gold medal this one in the Olympic Games. The jeers were replaced by volleys of cheers, as thousands of his countrymen poured out their hearts for the charismatic young champion. One of five United States gold medalists in boxing, he was by far the most popular. He was television's child and not a bit reluctant to accept the gifts lavished on him by the doting parent.

For his first, professional fight he received $40,000, staggering in a sport where $500 is a more customary first paycheck. Chicago Trrbun Press Service MONTREAL Sugar Ray Leonard's career began to crystallize in the crucibte of a Mexico City prize ring during the Pan American Games in 1975. Performing before a hostile crowd in an atmosphere of intense anti-Americanism, Leonard won the light welterweight gold medal against Cuba's Victor Corona, considered the world's best amateur welterweight. A year later on a much larger stage in Montreal, Leonard proved that he was the best amateur 147-pounder in the world when he beat another Cuban, Andres Al- From Tribune Wire Services NOT ALL' THE violence was confined to Montreal Friday night. Two persons were killed and at least two others were injured in a shooting at the closed-circuit site in Toledo.

Five shots were fired into the crowd during a preliminary match. The victims were believed to be members of two unidentified families who were involved in a long-standing feud. FIGHT FANS In Lowell, received an unexpected bus ride when the closed-circuit hookup failed. Twenty-five buses and hundreds of cars headed for Manchester, N.H., the next nearest site. En route, police turned most of the buses back because they feared there would Duran: A puncher after another title Square Garden against lightweight champion Ken Buchanan in June, 1972.

Performing exclusively in his native Panama and in Mexico, Duran had won all Oitcjgo Tritxjrja Press Service MONTREAL Roberto Duran had fought 'exactly one round in the United States before stepping into the ring at Madison Former lightweight champion Roberto Duran celebrates a welterweight victory earlier this year. and a main course of "breast of chicken-estragone," long-grained and wild and "zuccchini nicoise." SOME PEOPLE in Columbus, and northern Los Angeles were able to; watch in the privacy of their own-homes. Two cable TV systems had the; fights available for an extra The-Qube system in Columbus also had special hookup where each set was. equipped with a machine that permitted; a vote in who won each round. Columbus, viewers went for Sugar Ray.

CAPITAL CENTRE in Landover, Leonard's home territory, was a with 20,130 fans letting their feelings; known when the decision wasv an nounced. "I don't believe it," said one; watcher. "The man Leonard was rob-t bed." His companion disagreed: "DuranJ won that fight. Leonard gave it to The huge crowd cheered at every one olj Sugar Ray's moves, even when there was a cutaway shot of him in his dressi ing room during the preliminaries There was mostly silence and few isolati ed cheers when Duran landed some punches. The crowd was on its feet dur-j ing the last three rounds.

Three arenas in Baltimore showed a specially pre pared film showing Leonard in his pre- vious bouts. i THE FANS who opted for the $15 seat at the Met Center in Bloomingtonj had a view unlike those who paid $20. Seated behind the screen, the $13 spectators saw everything in reverse. i NOT ALL the Leonards were losers; Sugar Ray's 26-year-old brother, Roger; wnn a snlit decision over Clvde Gray in 27 of his professional fights, all but 4 by knockout. Included was a one-round KO of Benny Huertas in his New-York debut.

Still, Buchanan was at the peak of his powers, a classic, stand-up boxer who had carved his way to the top of his division. It was not, then, Duran's victory that was so shocking, but the manner in which he achieved it. Swarming all overthe Scotsman, Duran who had just turned 21 scored a 13th-round knockout to begin a reign df terror that lasted nearly six years, until he voluntarily abdicated the, lightweight throne two years ago (he continually had trouble making the 135-pound weight limit). In that time Duran successfully defended the title a record 12 times. The first 10 of these triumphs were by knockout, another record.

He avenged his only defeat, a 10-round nontitle decision to Esteban DeJesus, with two subsequent knockout victories. After the second, in which he dispatched De-Jesus in the 12th round with one of the most punishing punches ever delivered in a ring, Duran moved up into the welterweight division. He has not been as awesome against heavier opponents in the two years since, but he remains boxing's undisputed Mer chant of Menace. That is why he was able to command at least $1 .5 million and bring Ray Leonard the largest purse in boxing history for Friday night's fight in Olympic Stadium. til be a riot at Manchester site, which had been sold out.

Everything turned out OK because New England Telephone Co. got the picture going just moments before the Roberto Duran-Sugar Ray Leonard bout. THE SITUATION at the International Amphitheatre was a bit dicey. The screen went blank 15 minutes before the start of the Leonard-Duran bout and remained dark until a minute before the start. The capacity crowd of more than 10,000 grew unruly, and few isolated fights broke out.

Twelve persons were arrested on charges of unlawful use of weapons. But once the main event started, the crowd, which was split 50-50 for each boxer, settled down. There were numerous standing ovations, and the entire crowd stood for the 15th round and cheered. AT ALUMNI HALL, Duran's victory was favorably greeted by the capacity crowd. From the end of the 14th round through the end of the fight, the crowd was on its feet cheering, notNso much for one fighter as for the event.

The picture quality wasn't good. At times it was difficult to distinguish the boxers. At the Horizon, police reported disturbances when fans complained that they were unable to see the screen. AT NEW YORK'S posh Waldorf-Astoria, 1,765 persons paid $100 each to watch the fights and dine on an extrav-gant menu that included a salad of "artichokes and mushrooms a la Grecque" 4 a preliminary middleweight bout. In the! other prelim, Ferdinand Marcotte and Eddy Melo battled to a draw in anothe middleweight bout.

AFTER JOHN TATE was counted out; heavyweight Trevor Berbick, who fought for Jamaica in the 1976 Olympics; leaped for joy and then shouted at Tate! to "get up, get up, get up." Duran takes Leonard's title away Glue to gold state's thoroughbreds mature i yT- M. ty 1 A V. ''if 'ft "tu y. 'y i i Continued from page one beat as Duran entered the ring. When three of Duran's handlers unfurled the Quebec flag in the ring, the crowd went wild, and Roberto's triumph was complete.

Yet Leonard's courage soon began to neutralize Duran's appeal. Ray seemed hesitant at first, but by the eighth round he had built up a slight lead. That's when Duran turned on the steam, as he had so often in the past. While the Sugar Man never melted under Duran's relentless pressure, his wife Juanita fainted after the eighth round and had to be revived by friends. THE 11TH THROUGH 13th rounds were.

the best of the fight and among the best ever seen in a championship bout. The fight was even at the time, and Leonard opened with three crisp jabs. But Duran snapped a left-right combination that sent Leonard reeling into the ropes and, for the first time, Ray went to his corner slowly at the bell. Duran now appeared to be gathering strength from somewhere, and he appeared to win the 12th and 13th rounds, both toe-to-toe brawls, to sew up the fight. "I was surprised how close the judges' voting was," Duran said.

"I felt I had it all the way. He hit me hard a couple of times, but I was never in bad shape." LEONARD PROVED he was no quitter. Obviously aware he was behind, he came out smoking to win the 14th. In the 15th, Duran eased up the pressure and waltzed to the title. at Arlington, as opposed to 10 races for; $260,000 in New York and 11 races for $45,000 on the West Coast," she said.

However, the amount that breeders in' New York contribute to purses done as. incentives greatly exceeded Illinois'. The figure was $65,000 in the East compared to $25,000 in this state during the survey period. Illinois has made great strides, though. Prior to 1975, Meyer said thai approximate statistics indicate there were 100 breeders and 456 yearlings in Illinois.

Estimates this year are 650 breeders and 1,150 yearlings. "Another interesting difference is stakes money," Meyer said. "In 1976, it was $65,000 for Illinois registered horses and for 1980 it is $900,000." ARLINGTON WILL have breeding sidelight to Saturday's program, when a race for Illinois-registered fillies and mares 4 and older the $21,000 Blind Date with 10 entries provides owners of the top four' finishers with free stud service for their broodmares. The Illinois stallions are That's A Nice, Zen, Sir Cinamon, and Good Behaving. "The grade of the Illinois horse has improved so much in a few years that now they can compete in open company," said Tommy Trotter, Arlington's racing secretary.

The absence of Architect, 1979 Illinois Horse of the Year, is proof of that. He's at Hollywood Park to run in Sunday's $400,000 Gold Cup. By Mike Kiley ARLINGTON PARK will honor the Illinois-registered thoroughbred Saturdaya horse which was a disgrace only a few years ago. Illinois Day at Arlington will be centered around two stakes races for Illinois conceived and-or foaled 3-year-olds, each event having a purse. One is the Issac Murphy for colts and geldings at a mile, and the other is the Colfax Maid over seven furlongs for fillies.

The growing interest in the state-bred program is reflected in the fact that 16 thoroughbreds were entered in each race. It wasn't long ago that racing secretaries, who compose the races, would have shuddered to think of that many Illinois-breds cluttering up the program. But the 1975 Illinois Horse Racing Act gave new life to a decrepit breeding and racing industry, guaranteeing state-bred horses a race a day at the tracks. It started a purse rise that has grown this year to more than $8 million in purses and breeders' rewards for Illinois registered thoroughbreds. Lee Meyer, a director of the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Foundation, conducted a two-week sur- vey in May that showed Illinois ran more state-bred races for more money than either California or New York.

"THE SURVEY DISCOVERED that 25 races with $343,900 in earnings were run UPI Tdephoto Sugar Ray Leonard never loses his determination as he battles back in vain effort to save his crown. Sugar Ray, losing for the first time of credit. It was one of the toughest "I have no excuses. He dazed me in after 27 pro victories, showed the crowd f'8nts in mv Professional careeer. the second round with an overhead right that a large heart can come wrapped in 1 waS P.f ffCt a smoit nfpkatro hlt me wltn some 8d ones to0, 1 I cm back from it.

I can only go by a smaii pacKage. knew the fjght wag close In the early whgt judges yoted "It was a tough fight," he said softly rounds he dominated, but I felt I came and slowly. "I give Duran a great deal back. "The best man won tonight." Leonard vs. Duran, round by round Cowens suspended for attacking Farmer CRIGHTqRfiCK IN A TWIST OF the chief of Friday's umpiring crew was Dave Phillips, who also was working in Comiskey Park last July 12 during the "Disco Demolition" promotion that brought fans streaming onto the field.

It resulted in the Sox forfeiting the second game of a double-header to the Tigers, adding to the animosity that turned into open warfare Friday. "Oddly enough, I still like coming to Chicago," Phillips sighed. "It's standard procedure to call the leeague president after these incidents, and we'll start off tomorrow's game with a warning against knockdown pitches." Alingtan Park Race Track THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON THE ILLINOIS THOROUGHBRED! 35,000 Colfax Maid Stakes Isaac Murphy Memorial Stakes Special pw-race exhibition of Illinois Thoroughbreds from foal to mature race horse I FOR INFORMATION 255-4300 General Admission $2 Clubhouse CNUnn Undw 10 Admitted FrM Euclid Wilke (East of Rte. 53), Arlington Hghts. Leonard jolted Duran's head back with a short left hook just before the bell sounded.

EIGHTH ROUND Leonard threw an overhand right that landed behind Duran's neck. The champion surprised Duran with a snappy left uppercut. Leonard missed with a right and Duran quickly blasted two fast left hooks to the chest. They mauled each other around the ring, both concentrating on body punches. Duran threw a right lead to Leonard's jaw.

Duran had the champion backed into his own corner as the round ended. NINTH ROUND Duran was aiming most of his punches at Leonard's body, in an apparent attempt to slow down the champion. Duran connected with a solid left hook to the side of Leonard's face. Leonard was wild with a short right, but landed a left hook to the face. Duran fought his way out of a clinch with three straight lefts and two rights, all of which bounced off Leonard's chin.

TENTH ROUND Duran was boxing arid punching masterfully at this point. He hammered two left hooks to Leonard's face. Duran was continually trying to inside and punch, as Leonard sought to keep him off with countering blows. Leonard was wild with both a left hook and a right cross. But he did conaect with a right lead as Duran was moving forward.

ELEVENTH ROUND Duran forced Leonard against the ropes and flailed away with lefts and rights to the head and body. Duran blasted a good left hook to Leonard's jaw. But the champion came back with a solid left hook that caught the challenger off-balance. Duran hammered a left hook and- a straight right to Leonard's chin as he backed the champion into a neutral corner. Leonard was stiU trapped in the corner absorbing some powerful punches to the body as Duran.

attacked furiously at the bell. TWELFTH ROUND Duran drove Leonard backward with a straight right to the face. Ledhard stopped another Duran right with nis gloves. Leonard was fighting with his mouth open, and it seemed that he might be tiring. Leonard's attempts to counterpunch were generally Ineffective.

THIRTEENTH ROUND Duran socked a powerful left hook into Leonard's stomach. Duran caught Leonard moving toward with a left hook. Leonard suddenly opened up with a sharp left-right combination to Duran's head probably the champion's best punches since the early rounds. FOURTEENTH ROUND Leonard came out of the comer fast and tried to right lead but just missed Duran's head. Duran forced the fight at a furious pace, never giving the champion a rest whether at long range or at close quarters.

Duran missed the left hook but his follow up right cross banged Into Leonard's face. The puffiness under Leonards left eye had become larger. FIFTEENTH ROUND The challenger, apparently disdaining any suggestion that he play it safe in the final round, continued to force the action. He hammered four consecutive short rights to Leonard's kidneys. Leonard seemed to sense that he need a knockout to win as he opened up with his biggest weapons.

They traded lefts and rights to the head in a furious rally with 20 seconds remaining. The bell sounded, and both fighters threw their arms in the air and marched around the nng. FIRST ROUND Duran missed with a short left jab. Duran rushed in and landed a left hook about the champion beitline. Leonard let loose with a right that curled around Duran's head.

Leonard landed a solid left-right combination to Duran's head. The boxers remained at long range for the next 20 seconds, neither landing a damaging blow. Duran lashed a looping left hook to the side of Leonard head, but missed with a follow-up right. Duran, the aggressor, had Leonard in retreat as the bell sounded. SECOND ROUND Duran rushed forward with three consecutive left hooks to Leonard's body as he forced the champion against the ropes.

Leonard beat Duran to the punch as they both threw (eft hooks at the same time. A looping left hook to the jaw by Duran hurt the champion. Duran blasted a right upper cut to Leonard's chin. Leonard roared back with a left jab and a right-cross combination to Duran's head. THIRD ROUND Duran stalked Leonard at the start of the round.

Duran backed Leonard against the ropes and hammered left and rights to the champion's body. A powerful right uppercut staggered Leonard. Leonard escaped from the ropes to the center of the ring and was able to tie up Duran in a clinch. A stinging left nook from Duran snapped "Leonard's head back. Leonard slammed back with a solid left hook to the jaw.

FOURTH ROUND Duran caught Leonard moving backwards with a long left hook to the side" of the face. A slight puffing appeared alongside Duran's right eye. The Panamanian shook Leonard with a sizzling left hook to the chin. Duran backed Leonard Into the ropes again, but the champion fought free with two quick left hooks and a right, all to the body. But Duran quickly forced the champion against the ropes again.

Duran rushed Leonard across the ring, causing the champion to bounce off the ropes as the bell sounded. FIFTH ROUND Duran tried to measure Leonard with a short right handrtiut the champion moved his head in time to vade the blow. They wrestled each other against the ropes, with Leonard forcing the challenger into the strands for a change. But Duran soon spun Leonard around, putting him against the ropes. Leonard was trapped there for almost eight seconds, finally unleashing a whirlwind of punches to get out of the trap.

Leonard staged his best rally of the fight, peppering the challenger's head with a series of lefts and rights. SIXTH ROUND Duran missed a wild left hook and his face hit Leonard's shoulder. There was more clinching in this than in any previous round. Leonard broke out of Duran's clutches to hammer home two left hooks and a right cross to Duran's body. Leonard landed his best punch of the fight, a straight right flush to Duran's chin.

Leonard continued to force the action In the final 10 seconds of the round. SEVENTH ROUND Both threw right hands at the head simultaneously, but only Leonard's punch landed. Duran broke out of a clinch to land two short left hooks to Leonard's body. Duran ducked Into a left hook by Leonard as he tried to evade the blow. Leonard was beating the challenger to the punch more often at this stage than he had earlier In the fight.

Continued from page one Lance Parrish had a grip on my shoulders. Most people who want to fight look at you straight on. Mr. Cowens jumped me from behind on a routine ground ball. "Talk to Cowens about why he did it, but don't expect to understand him.

Whatever language he speaks, it isn't English. He's an idiot." FARMER SIGNED an assault complaint after the melee and plans to confer with his lawyer Monday about a possible lawsuit against Cowens. "I'm certainly gonna pursue it," the right-handed relief ace said. "Maybe my neck will start to hurt tomorrow." Sox players huddled in groups all around their clubhouse, echoching La-Russa's "cheap shot" charge. Lamar Johnson, who almost incited an instant rematch by challenging the Tigers' Richie Hebner, agreed that Cowens dash to the mound took the Sox players by surprise.

"Everybody in the league will know what kind of man Cowens is after this," said Wayne Nordhagen, also a member of the vengeful posse that jumped on Cowens during the fracas. "We're so mad about. It, here's no telling what could happen tomorrow. You jump on people like that in dark alleys, not a ballpark. "Cowens should be man enough to walk, out there and tell Ed, 'It's you and If he's scared, he should bring a doa to protect himself." Svoboda, ex-Giant linebacker, dies HOMER, La.

AP Bill Svoboda, 51, former star linebacker with Tulane and the New York Giants, died Friday of a heart attack while ''jogging, a family member said. Svoboda, a first-round draft choice ot the Chicago Cardinals in 1950, was traded to the Giants, and was defensive captain when they won the NFL championship in 1956 and the Eastern Conference title in 1958. He retired in 1959 and was named to Tulane's Hall of Fame in 1978. Svodba, who is survived by his wife and two daughters, died almost a year after the death of his teammate at Tulane and New York, fullback Eddie Price. Convenient Chicago Tribune, home delivery is just a phone call away.

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