The history of boxing is full of bizarre events that have happened in the ring. Sometimes an unusual episode, no matter how insignificant, ends up being so amusing or surprising that it remains forever linked to the memory of a fight. Thus, the prestigious conquest of the WBC cruiserweight world title by Romagna-born boxer Massimiliano Duran will always be associated, by those who attended the Outdoor Arena in Capo d’Orlando, with the shower of spaghetti packets thrown into the ring by the enraged audience just before the Puerto Rican Carlos De Leon was declared defeated by disqualification. Exactly 34 years after that triumph that brought “Momo” to the top of the world, we look back on a night with a strange but victorious ending for our country.
From the War for the Italian Title to the World Chance: Momo Duran’s Big Leap
There are trains one must board a bit blindly because they might not pass by again. The news that Massimiliano Duran, fresh off winning the Italian cruiserweight title, would fight the legendary De Leon for the world crown made many observers doubt the wisdom of such a leap for a boxer who, after only fifteen fights, would find himself facing a phenomenon of the ring. Yet that apparent gamble was based on a logical reasoning: while the champion seemed in decline, Momo was showing significant growth every time he stepped into the ring. The spectacular victory over Alfredo Cacciatore, which earned him the Italian title, had certified his full maturity: two violent knockdowns weathered, control regained with the masterful use of the left jab, and a punishing offensive that forced the referee to stop the fight had subdued a dangerous and determined rival. The famous Rocco Agostino then decided to trust the Ferrara athlete: ready or not, Duran would go for the big shot.
The Last Bullets of the Great De Leon
Watching Carlos De Leon’s movements in his prime almost feels like seeing a Wilfred Benitez with twenty more kilos in action. The Puerto Rican school, after all, had shaped both, and De Leon, like his illustrious compatriot, moved elegantly in the ring, light on his feet and fast with his hands, a master at controlling the pace as he pleased. His immense qualities had led him to make cruiserweight history, winning the world title four times, marking a truly long career at the highest levels. However, the hard defeat that Evander Holyfield inflicted on him in 1988 had cracked something in the psyche and body of the talented Puerto Rican. Although he returned to claim the title, De Leon began struggling to make weight and showed signs of dulled reflexes in the ring. His title defense in England against Johnny Nelson, which ended in a draw, is remembered as one of the ugliest world title fights ever: not an encouraging sign ahead of the Italian trip…
From Tension to Courage: Momo Takes Over
In front of RAI cameras, introduced into the dressing rooms for the last comments before the challenge began, Duran appeared bold and confident, inviting viewers not to miss the “end of De Leon.” However, the tension of the big event couldn’t help but affect the young man after the sound of the first bell: Momo appeared hesitant, afraid to let his hands go against a ring legend, and the first six minutes passed in total inactivity. Gradually, though, the Ferrara boxer, faced with the opponent’s lack of verve, began to weave his web: first timidly, doubling the jab quickly and delivering some uppercuts to the body, then more freely, finally activating his right hand and expanding his lead on the scorecards. Duran realized that “the Devil is not as black as he is painted”: the champion allowed him to take the initiative and did not sting in counterattack, the historic feat was within his reach.
The Chaotic Finale: The Veteran Champion’s Nerves Snap
De Leon realized as the rounds passed that the fight was slipping out of his hands. Waking from a lethargic torpor, he tried to switch his strategy from defensive to offensive, but did so chaotically, with little success. Entering the championship rounds, the challenger’s lead was still reassuring. However, in the eleventh round, pandemonium broke loose in a crescendo of plot twists culminating in the incredible finale. Frustrated by his inability to turn the fight around, De Leon blatantly pushed his rival with his forearm during a clinch, and after unbalancing him, he hit and knocked him down. Surprisingly, referee Bob Logist counted without batting an eye, infuriating the crowd. Momo reacted angrily, and after cornering his rival, returned the favor with some low blows. Further irritated, De Leon made a huge blunder: heading to his stool after the bell, he hit Duran on the chin with a right hand!
The Spaghetti Shower and the Coronation: Duran World Champion!
The punch, truthfully, from what can be judged from the images, was not particularly violent, and Duran’s reaction, collapsing to the ground, seemed a bit excessive. However, it was enough to inflame the crowd’s spirits and produce a thick shower of objects into the ring: bottles, cans, even a shoe, and countless packets of spaghetti, distributed by one of the evening’s sponsors. After a thorough consultation with the WBC supervisor, Mr. Logist made his decision: Carlos De Leon was disqualified, Massimiliano Duran was the world champion! While the decision was, in the writer’s opinion, too severe for the Puerto Rican boxer, everything suggests that Momo would have taken the belt home in any case, even if the twelfth round had been regularly contested. At only 26 years old, our standard-bearer had fulfilled a lifelong dream and would soon face the very strong Frenchman Anaclet Wamba three times in a trilogy full of plot twists and not without controversy. But that is another story…