WILFRED BENITEZ vs. MUSTAFA HAMSHO (Site) 

Description : We have here a super rare vintage onsite poster from 1983 for the middleweight contest between 3 time world champion Wilfred Benitez & the rough tough Syrian middleweight contender Mustafa Hamsho This bout took place at the old Dunes Casino in Las Vegas, it's now been replaced by the Ballagio.

Mustafa Hamsho thoroughly dominated Wilfred Benitez and was awarded a unanimous 12-round decision in a middleweight title elimination bout. Hamsho, who is from Syria and lives in Bayonne, N.J., took the fight to Benitez from the opening bell and kept his opponent pinned in his corner against the ropes for most of the bout. Benitez, only 24 years old, making only his second appearance as a middleweight since moving up a division for a shot at Hagler, seemed unable to get on track and the few punches he managed to land did no damage. Benitez has held the junior welterweight, welterweight and junior middleweight titles and has moved up in hopes of becoming the first man to win titles in four weight classes. The victory put the 29-year-old Hamsho, the World Boxing Council's top-ranked contender, in line for a fight against Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Hagler knocked out Hamsho in the 11th round of their earlier title bout in October 1981, and had signed to defend his title against Roberto Duran that November.

Hamsho won almost all the rounds on the cards of the judges, with Lou Tabat scoring it 118-109, Chuck Minker 118-111 and Dalby Shirley 117-111. Rough Going in 3d Round. The fight was held outdoors by the Dunes Hotel in 100-degree heat that didn't seem to bother Hamsho but may have had an effect on Benitez.

Postage: £10.00 UK Special Delivery... £20.00 International.