AHall of Famer, a living legend, but most of all, Roberto Duran is one of the baddest men to ever step foot in the ring. While the common fan may know him more for the “No Mas” debacle. True sports fans know this man had more boxing lives than a cat. Just when you thought he was done, he’d come back stronger than ever. With his biopic Hands of Stone opening in theatres this week, we thought it a great time to look back through the stone age at some of Manos de Piedra’s greatest fights.
Ken Buchanan, June 26, 1972, Madison Square Garden, New York City
The Buchanan fight would be the first of many title fights for Roberto Duran. The two faced each other on a steamy summer night in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Duran got the action underway at the start of the first round hitting Buchanan with an overhand right and knocking Buchanan down. Many believed it was a slip, but the referee ruled it a knockdown. Controversy aside, Duran continued to swarm Buchanan as if they were fighting in a phone booth, winning round after round. Yet Buchanan would not fall, which perhaps agitated Duran. Because as the bell rang ending the 13th round a bit of a scuffle ensued with Duran driving a right hand to Buchanan’s groin at the sound of the bell. The referee rushed in to pull him away, but did not rule the blow an illegal hit. By round 14 Buchanan was still reeling from the blow and couldn’t continue, giving Duran the TKO win and his first title. More importantly, the fight served as a precursor of what to expect for the next 25 plus years. Plenty of power, prowess and bravado mixed with a dash of controversy for good measure.
Sugar Ray Leonard, June 20 1980, Olympic Stadium, Montreal
“The Brawl in Montreal,” will go down as perhaps Duran’s greatest victory. In 1980 Sugar Ray Leonard was the darling of the boxing world. An Olympic gold medal winner, undefeated professionally with an Ali-esque style in the ring and Madison Avenue smile outside of it. From 7-Up soda commercials along side his son to cameos on Bob Hope specials. Leonard was America’s sweetheart. Duran, was the antithesis of this. A fighter with an unapologetic scowl, who made his bones one fight, one grind at a time. During the lead up to the fight Duran wore the proverbial black hat and showed Leonard nor his family any respect. Leonard would admit years later that Duran had beat him psychologically before the bell even rang. After the bell, Duran out-dueled Leonard over 15 rounds. Aside from the smaller man coming up to challenge and beat the bigger one, what made this perhaps Duran’s greatest victory was that he carried his country on his back. It was a victory for Panama and all of Latino America.
Davey Moore, June 16, 1983, Madison Square Garden, New York City
It was three years since No Mas and Duran was in need of a comeback. Yet, his efforts had mixed results. He had lost (Wilfredo Benitez and Kirkland Laing) and won (Pipino Cuevas and Jimmy Batten) a few more fights since the second Leonard bout, but Davey Moore signaled a defining moment for Duran. A loss would relegate him to journeyman, however, a win would help him regain stature. Duran did more than just win. In shape, quicker and the aggressive Duran of old, the Panamanian took charge from the opening round. Dictating the pace, dominating the seemingly bigger and stronger Moore. He quickly established a body attack, but landed a telling blow at the end of round one, which some say was more thumb than fist, it caused Moore’s eye to swell and Duran would target it as the fight wore on. By round seven the outcome was obvious. Moore had little left and Duran was taking him apart. At the end of the round Duran connected with a huge overhand right that finally sent Moore to the canvas. Moore rose and came out for round eight, however, Moore had enough and his corner threw in the towel. The victory gave Duran a title in a third weight class, but more importantly, had restored his name. To many the disgrace of ‘No mas’ was finally in the past. Marvin Hagler was in the audience that night and took notice. So much so, Duran became his next opponent.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler, November 1983, Ceasar’s Palace, Las Vegas
Rare is the case that a loss can enhance a fighter’s reputation. Yet, Duran is a prime example that it can happen. Fresh off the Davey Moore win he stepped up to middleweight to challenge champion Hagler. It was a fight in which neither man backed down, nor falling for the others tricks. The early rounds belonged to Duran as he slipped Hagler’s tentative leads and effectively counter punched which excited the crowd. Duran repeatedly used his timing and defensive skill to make Hagler miss before countering with quick right hands. However, facing the bigger stronger man did wear on Duran and midway Hagler seized control, but a funny thing happened. Hagler got comfortable and conservative, enough so that after 13 rounds, Duran was actually ahead on two scorecards and even on the third. Hagler’s corner was keenly aware how close a fight it was and implored their man to finish strong. The Marvelous one, did, in the final two rounds he was the aggressor and won rounds 14 and 15, taking the fight by a close unanimous decision. Duran was the first fighter to go the distance with Hagler during his championship reign. More importantly, the world was yet again on notice, no matter how big the opponent in size or stature, Duran is not to be taken lightly.
Iran Barkley, February 24, 1989, Convention Center, Atlantic City
His career now having spanned three decades, at 37 years old Duran would once again step in to the ring. Rising up to middleweight, to challenge newly minted champ Iran Barkley. Barkley had recently won the crown from Thomas Hearns. If ever Duran was an underdog this was it. Again, the smaller man, again the older man, how much did he have left? On a cold night on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, Duran relied on all of the 22 years of experience he had under his belt, to out-slick Barkley. Just as in the Hagler fight, he again countered, and stayed inside the pocket to nullify Barkley’s range and strength. Notwithstanding this, Duran did have his bell rung by Barkley on more than one occasion, yet, Duran would continue to move forward and land his own combinations. Round 11 proved to be the defining moment. Duran connected with a barrage of rights that finally sent Barkley to the floor. Barkley, like his good friend Davey Moore would get up and finish the fight, but the knockdown sealed his fate and give Duran a close unanimous decision. After the fight, Barkley told the press “It was his heart, it just wouldn’t go.” By beating Barkley, Duran became the first Latin fighter to win titles in four weight divisions and wrote yet another chapter in an already historic career.
