ROBERTO DURAN suffered a points defeat by a younger and speedier Hector `Macho' Camacho in the battle for the vacant IBC middleweight crown in Atlantic City on Saturday night.

Six days after his 45th birthday, Panamanian Duran came into the ring in his best fighting shape since he upset Iran Barkley seven years ago to win the WBC middleweight crown at the same venue. But the 34 year old Camacho, from Puerto Rico, flicked his faster jab and then ducked out of trouble to take a 12 round unanimous though unpopular decision.

Many in the crowd of nearly 5,000 booed the verdict by the American judges. Tim Figley scored 115-113, Paul Venti 117-11 and Dana DePaolo 116-113.