Roberto Duran Hands Of Stone Heart Of A Lion

Roberto Durán: Hands of Stone, Heart of a Lion

Early Life and Career

Roberto Durán was born in 1951 in El Chorrillo, Panama. He began boxing at a young age, and by the time he was 16, he had won the Panamanian lightweight championship. In 1971, he turned professional, and he quickly rose through the ranks, winning 31 of his first 32 fights.

In 1972, Durán won his first world title, the WBA lightweight championship. He successfully defended his title 12 times, and in 1978, he moved up to welterweight and won the WBC title. Durán became the first boxer to win world titles in four different weight classes, and he was considered one of the greatest fighters of all time.

Fights with Sugar Ray Leonard

In 1980, Durán faced his toughest challenge, Sugar Ray Leonard. The two fighters met in a highly anticipated bout that was billed as "The Brawl for it All." Durán won the fight by unanimous decision, and he became the undisputed welterweight champion.

The following year, the two fighters met again in a rematch. This time, Leonard won by knockout in the eighth round. The fight was controversial, and many believe that Durán quit in the ring.

Later Career and Legacy

After the rematch with Leonard, Durán's career declined. He lost his welterweight title to Marvelous Marvin Hagler in 1983, and he retired from boxing in 1984. He made a brief comeback in 1988, but he was never able to regain his former glory.

Durán officially retired from boxing in 1998, and he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007. He is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, and his fights with Sugar Ray Leonard are still considered some of the most iconic in boxing history.

Conclusion

Roberto Durán was a true warrior in the ring. He was a fierce competitor who never backed down from a challenge. He was also a skilled boxer with a devastating punch. Durán's legacy will live on forever in the history of boxing.