Ray Mancini vs. Ernesto España, billed as Back Where It Started, was a professional boxing match contested on July 24, 1982, for the WBA lightweight title.
Background Prior to the Arturo Frias–Ray Mancini lightweight title on May 8, 1982, Mancini's promoter Bob Arum paid the WBA's number-one ranked lightweight contender Ernesto España, who was Frias' mandatory challenger, $50,000 to step aside and allow the Frias–Mancini bout to continue forward on the basis that España would face the winner within 60 days.Faster Than You Can Say New Champion, Sports Illustrated article, 1982-05–17, Retrieved on 2025-11-17 With Mancini defeating Frias via first-round knockout, he and España came to terms less than a week after to face each other on July 25 of that year.Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini will make the first defense..., UPI article, 1982-05–13, Retrieved on 2025-12-02
Initially announced by CBS, who was broadcasting the fight, to take place in the Las Vegas Valley, Mancini's manager confirmed that the bout would in fact happen in one of three venues; either the Richfield Coliseum or Mollenkopf Stadium, both in Mancini's native Ohio and close to his hometown of Youngstown, or the Civic Arena in nearby Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.The manager of Ray Mancini said Friday the new..., UPI article, 1982-05–14, Retrieved on 2025-12-02 It was announced in June, that Mollenkopf Stadium, the venue closest to Youngstown, was chosen.Top Rank, Inc., Monday announced its July schedule of..., UPI article, 1982-06–21, Retrieved on 2025-12-02
Fight Details The fight proved to be a mismatch as Mancini dominated España through six rounds, winning every round on all three official scorecards and landing punches almost at will as España struggled to land any sustained offense or defend himself from the aggressive Mancini who frequently landed blows that went unanswered. España was clearly exhausted and struggled during the latter rounds of the bout but managed to make it to the very end of the sixth round despite taking heavy abuse in the prior rounds. The fight would come to an end when Mancini staggered España with a left hook with around 30 seconds remaining, putting him on wobbly legs and forcing him hold on to Mancini to stay upright. As the round was coming to a close, Mancini had España backed up against the ropes and landed several hooks to a nearly defenseless España's head. Though España tried to escape, Mancini followed with several more blows to España's head as referee Stanley Christodoulou stopped the fight with one second left in the round, giving Mancini the victory by technical knockout.Mancini Knocks Out Espana, N.Y. Times article, 1982-07–25, Retrieved on 2025-12-04
Fight card Confirmed bouts: Weight Class Weight vs. Method Round NotesLightweight135 lbs.Ray Mancini (c)def.Ernesto España TKO6/15Cruiserweight190 lbs.Randy Stephens def.Rick EnisRTD9/12Lightweight135 lbs.Harry Arroyo def.Kevin AustinTKO5/8Light Middleweight154 lbs.Gary Coats def.Lenny VillersKO5/8Middleweight160 lbs.Rusty Rosenbergerdef.Lewis JonesPTS6/6Welterweight147 lbs.Mike Castronova def.Mike EssettUD6/6
Broadcasting Country Broadcaster CBS
References