Duran Shakes Off Knockdown, Wins

MIAMI — Three-time champion Roberto Duran, fighting to keep alive his dream of winning a record fourth title, scored a unanimous decision over middleweight Juan Carlos Gimenez Saturday night.

Duran started slowly as Gimenez knocked him down in the first round, but the former champion dominated from the second round on.

Judge John Ruppert scored it 97-91, Al Wilensky scored it 96-91, and Mark Conn scored it 98-91 for Duran, the former lightweight, welterweight and junior-middleweight titleholder.

Duran, 36, is 82-7, while Gimenez, ranked No. 8 by the World Boxing Council, dropped to 25-4-2.

Gimenez started aggressively, knocking Duran to the canvas less than one minute into the fight, and then trapping him against the ropes with a series of rights. But Gimenez could not put Duran away despite landing several hard punches.

Duran began jabbing with his left in the second round and took control of the fight. Duran closed out the 10-round bout by punishing Gimenez in the final round, opening up a small cut under his left eye.