On a sweltering June night in Las Vegas, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns delivered a thunderous statement to the boxing world, dismantling the legendary Roberto Durán in just two merciless rounds at Caesars Palace. Billed as Malice at the Palace, the bout lived up to its name—but not in the way Durán fans had hoped.

With the WBC super welterweight crown on the line, Hearns came out looking every bit the champion in control. From the opening bell, he imposed his superior wingspan and tactical precision, neutralizing Durán’s attempts to close the distance. Hearns’ jab was a piston, setting up sharp counters and preventing the Panamanian brawler from finding any rhythm.

Durán, fresh off a valiant middleweight title challenge against Marvin Hagler, had relinquished his WBA belt to face Hearns. But the gamble proved costly. Midway through the first round, a lightning-quick right hand sent Durán to the canvas. The veteran warrior rose, but the tide had turned. Hearns unleashed a ruthless flurry, punctuated by a punishing body shot that sent Durán down again before the round ended. A disoriented Durán wandered to the wrong corner, his team urgently guiding him back.

Round two sealed Durán’s fate. Hearns, smelling blood, opened up with deadly precision. Just over a minute in, he cracked Durán with a crushing right to the jaw. Durán crashed face-first onto the canvas, and referee Carlos Padilla waved it off without a count. For the first time in his storied career, Roberto Durán had been knocked out cold.

The bout, attended by 14,824 fans and beamed into over 2 million homes via closed-circuit and pay-per-view, was expected to be a clash of legends. Instead, it became a showcase of Hearns’ power and poise. Promoted by Shelly Saltman, Walter Alvarez, and Golden Circle Productions, the event had to be relocated from the Bahamas due to logistical issues—but Las Vegas proved to be the perfect stage for a swift, shocking finish.

With the victory, Hearns retained his title in dominant fashion, reaffirming his status as one of the most dangerous punchers in boxing. For Durán, the defeat was a humbling reminder that even legends can fall—and sometimes, they fall hard.