9 min

The plasterer who fought a boxing legend Sporting Witness

    • History

Roberto Duran and Dave Radford were from different worlds.
Roberto, a champion boxer considered one of the greatest to ever step into the ring. Dave, a part-time plasterer in the North of England, boxing in leisure centres and social clubs.
But in 1997, a series of unlikely events saw Dave down his tools, fly to South Africa and fight Duran in front of 10,000 people.
Johnny I’Anson speaks to Dave and his trainer James Walker about that memorable night.
(Photo: The fighters in action. Credit: Walter Dhladhla/AFP/Getty Images)

Roberto Duran and Dave Radford were from different worlds.
Roberto, a champion boxer considered one of the greatest to ever step into the ring. Dave, a part-time plasterer in the North of England, boxing in leisure centres and social clubs.
But in 1997, a series of unlikely events saw Dave down his tools, fly to South Africa and fight Duran in front of 10,000 people.
Johnny I’Anson speaks to Dave and his trainer James Walker about that memorable night.
(Photo: The fighters in action. Credit: Walter Dhladhla/AFP/Getty Images)

9 min

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