Joppy to put title on line against 'legend'

He's a world champion in one of boxing's most illustrious divisions.

Yet William Joppy is neither paid handsomely nor revered. Fact is, he remains somewhat unknown.

That's why he's fighting Roberto Duran tonight at the Las Vegas Hilton.

"Five hundred years from now when boxing is brought up, Duran's name will be mentioned," Joppy said. "But I want to be a legend too. I want to be mentioned when people talk about boxing 500 years from now."

Defeating Duran will not ensure Joppy's legendary status, but at least it would be a step in that direction. It would add to his name-recognition value.

Joppy, 27, holds the World Boxing Association middleweight title and has five championship fights under his belt. He's 4-1 in those bouts, splitting a pair of fights with Julio Cesar Green after taking the WBA belt from Japan's Shinji Takehara in 1996.

His other two title wins came against mediocre competition, the unknown Peter Venencio and former Las Vegan Ray McElroy.

It's clear Joppy's career needs a boost.

Enter the 47-year-old Duran, a former five-time world champion.

"It'll be a thrill to get into the ring with him," Joppy said. "He's seen all the styles, seen everything there is to see.

"People say he's old and stuff, but I'm not looking past him. I'll come in prepared."

Joppy is a minus 600 favorite in the Hilton sports book, with Duran a plus 400 underdog.

"Roberto's got too many obstacles here," said Hilton vice president Art Manteris of his betting line. "Youth and all the physical factors favor Joppy. I don't like Duran's chances, although I said the same thing before his first fight with Ray Leonard (in 1980) and before his fight with Davey Moore (in 1983).

"But winning this fight here, that's a tall order."

Duran is 102-13 in a pro career that dates from 1967. But he hasn't fought at 160 pounds since 1989.

Joppy, meanwhile, is a comfortable 160 and has fought at that weight since 1993. He's 25-1-1, with the loss to Green and a draw with Rodney Toney blemishing his record.

He's a native of Maryland who fought extensively in that area as he was getting started, although recent fights have taken him to New York and Las Vegas for a fourth time.

He's receiving $270,000 for this fight, while Duran is limited to $25,000 as $225,000 of his purse is going to the Internal Revenue Service.

Joppy, who expects to be much quicker although maybe not stronger than Duran, is bold enough to offer a specific prediction.

"No way I'm going to lose," he said. "I'll win decisively. No more than eight rounds."

The Joppy-Duran bout is one of two main events on tonight's card, as IBF middleweight champ Bernard Hopkins will defend his title against Robert Allen in the companion feature. The Hilton also has a Saturday fight card with IBF junior bantamweight champion Johnny Tapia in the main event.

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