Born June 16, 1951 in El Chorrillo, Panama. Duran turned professional on February 23, 1968 and would win world titles in four weight divisions and compete in five decades.
He was undefeated when he TKO'd Ken Buchanan in 13 rounds for the WBA lightweight championship on June 26, 1972 at Madison Square Garden. Twelve successful defenses followed, including wins over Jimmy Robertson, Guts Ishimatsu, Esteban De Jesus, Ray Lampkin, Lou Bizzarro, and Edwin Viruet.
Duran next moved up in weight to battle for the welterweight title and captured the WBC belt with a 15 round unanimous decision over Sugar Ray Leonard in Montreal on June 20, 1980. Following a win over Pipino Cuevas, Duran captured the WBA junior middleweight title from Davey Moore (TKO 8) at Madison Square Garden on June 16, 1983. Also in 1983 he engaged Marvelous Marvin Hagler in a hard-fought 15 round bout for the middleweight title (L 15). “Hands of Stone” claimed the WBC middleweight belt with an exciting 12 round split decision over Iran (The Blade) Barkley on February 24, 1989.
A superstar the world over, Duran is known for his ferocious, relentless ring style. Following injuries sustained in a 2001 automobile accident, he retired from the ring with a 103-16 (70 KOs) record.
Duran is still very active in the sport of boxing, now serving as a promoter with DRL Promotions.
Born: June. 16, 1951
Bouts:119
Won: 103
Lost: 16
KOs: 70
Induction: 2007
Roberto Duran
