Roberto Durán vs. Kirkland Laing

Earlier in the year, 2-division world champion Roberto Durán had lost to WBC super middleweight champion Wilfred Benítez in his bid for a third world title in a third different weight class.^[3] Having lost his last two world title fights, the 31-year old Durán was thought to possibly be on the decline, though he announced his intentions to continue his boxing career. A rematch with Benítez was discussed, while then-WBA super welterweight champion Davey Moore, former welterweight champion Thomas Hearns and then-undefeated prospects Mike McCallum and Tony Ayala Jr. also emerged as possible opponents.^[4]

In late July 1982, Durán's next opponents were narrowed down to Moore and Ayala. Durán's promoter Don King announced that Durán would face Ayala on November 19, while rival promoter Bob Arum claimed Durán had agreed to face Moore.^[5] Days later, Durán admitted that while he had reached an agreement with Arum to face Moore, he would indeed face Ayala for King, claiming the confusion was caused by him being unaware that his former manager had signed a three-fight contract with King earlier in the year.^[6]

Before facing Ayala in November, Durán would first take a tune-up fight with Kirkland Laing scheduled for September 4 in Detroit's Cobo Hall. While Laing sported a decent 23–3–1 record and had held the British welterweight title, he was completely unknown in the United States and had not faced anyone close to the status of Durán. Laing was given virtually no chance to win and was such a heavy underdog that oddsmakers didn't bother setting any betting lines, while some in the British media called for the fight to be cancelled thinking Laing's life could be at risk against a fighter the caliber of Durán.^[7]

In a shocking upset, Laing earned a split decision victory, winning on 2 judge's scorecards by the score of 96–94, while the third scored the fight 96–94 in favor of Durán. Using constant movement and an unorthodox hands down approach, Laing gave Durán trouble throughout the fight as Durán struggled to land any substantial offense. In the seventh Laing was able to land a huge right hand that stunned Durán and controlled the remainder of the fight thereafter, serving as the aggressor and peppering the tired Durán with jabs.^[8]

Following his loss to Laing, Durán's anticipated match with Ayala was almost immediately cancelled, as it was thought Durán's poor performance would hurt the marketability of the fight.^[9] Angered by Durán's loss, Don King stormed into the dressing room after the fight and exchanged words with Durán and his team.^[10] King then severed ties with Durán stating "I will not stand in his way if he insists on continuing in the ring, but I will not promote him anymore." and urged him to retire "with the dignity his career deserves."^[11] Durán chose to continue his boxing career and signed with Bob Arum only weeks after the Laing fight.^[12] The following year, Durán would upset 23-year old super welterweight champion Davey Moore to capture his third world title.

Meanwhile, hoping to capitalized on Laing's big win and sudden popularity, his manager Mickey Duff hoped to pit Laing against either of the top two welterweight contenders, Milton McCrory and Donald Curry, however these fights never came to be. Laing remained inactive for over a year and when he finally returned, he was knocked out by Fred Hutchings. Following the loss to Hutchings, Laing returned to fighting lower-level fighters mostly in his Native England until 1994, never again reaching world title contention.^[13]

Confirmed bouts:^[14]