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Sporting Witness: The plasterer who fought a boxing legend

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30/03/2024 GMT

The plasterer who fought a boxing legend

BBC World Service - Sporting Witness, The plasterer who fought a boxing legend

Ten thousand people watched the unlikely fight in 1997

In 1997, 10,000 people watched Dave the plasterer from England fight one of the greatest boxers of all time.

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)

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