True story : my local town house painter fought Roberto Duran once in 1993
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 12:59 am
Yup, it happened. And he became the most famous dude in town, too.
So, yes, I'm distantly related to him given the last name, but Jacques LeBlanc was the guy you called on to repaint the side of your house once mother nature ate it up. However, he was also a pretty competent boxer on the Canadian scene during the 80s. As a youngster, he starred in 'toughman' competitions, which were nothing more than bare-knuckle bar brawls until one was knocked out, but he was a beast and never seemed to lose. By 1989, he had entered the deep end of professional boxing and defeated Darrell Flint to become Canadian national champ that year.
Admittedly, he didn't have much of a punch, but he was tough as balls, and couldn't be knocked down. He was an elusive, quick-moving defensive specialist that could pound through the rounds ... hence his nickname "The Chin of Steel". All through the 90s, everyone in my tiny town followed him in his attempts to make it in big-time boxing.
With a lack of a punch, he never 'truly' made it ... but on June 29th 1993... for one night... my hometown was on the map, as we watched him do battle against one of the most famous middleweights ever in 'mother-flippin' Roberto Durán! Admittedly, Duran was past his prime by then, but who cares! Jacques fought the full 10 rounds, stayed on his feet, and lost on points. Not bad!
In 2007, my dad (who has been a life-long friend, and his official photographer/videographer during his boxing career), and myself made him a tribute video.
So, yes, I'm distantly related to him given the last name, but Jacques LeBlanc was the guy you called on to repaint the side of your house once mother nature ate it up. However, he was also a pretty competent boxer on the Canadian scene during the 80s. As a youngster, he starred in 'toughman' competitions, which were nothing more than bare-knuckle bar brawls until one was knocked out, but he was a beast and never seemed to lose. By 1989, he had entered the deep end of professional boxing and defeated Darrell Flint to become Canadian national champ that year.
Admittedly, he didn't have much of a punch, but he was tough as balls, and couldn't be knocked down. He was an elusive, quick-moving defensive specialist that could pound through the rounds ... hence his nickname "The Chin of Steel". All through the 90s, everyone in my tiny town followed him in his attempts to make it in big-time boxing.
With a lack of a punch, he never 'truly' made it ... but on June 29th 1993... for one night... my hometown was on the map, as we watched him do battle against one of the most famous middleweights ever in 'mother-flippin' Roberto Durán! Admittedly, Duran was past his prime by then, but who cares! Jacques fought the full 10 rounds, stayed on his feet, and lost on points. Not bad!
In 2007, my dad (who has been a life-long friend, and his official photographer/videographer during his boxing career), and myself made him a tribute video.
