Former Lightweight Title Challenger Ray Lampkin Passes
He was not on the list.
Former top lightweight contender of the 1970s, Ray Lampkin, has passed. Known as “Lightning” Ray Lampkin, his hand speed and boxing ability helped him navigate to the top of the lightweight rankings. The native Oregonian won the vacant NABF lightweight belt after stopping Nick Alfaro in 1974. After two defenses, Lampkin traveled to Panama City in 1975 to face the seemingly invincible Roberto Duran for the world title. In a hotly contested fight, Lampkin was eventually stopped by a vicious left hook to the jaw in the 14th round.
Lampkin would go on to fight until November of 1976, hanging up the gloves for good with a very respectable 35-6-1, 16 KOs record. He only lost to the best, among them: Roberto Duran, Esteban DeJesus (twice), Vilomar Fernandez, Randy Shields and Angel Mayoral. He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He was 78 years old.
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