Duran is 60 this month

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011.


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  1. PaddyD1983

    PaddyD1983 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    AGAINST a backdrop of corrupt politicians, a widespread polio epidemic, hunger and the lack of autonomy and sovereignty of the ruling class the people of Panama grieved in April of 1951 as Alfonso Teofilo Brown passed at the tender age of 48. Despite having lived in Paris before his eventual death from tuberculosis in New York, the man better known as “Panama Al” Brown was not just a hero to those in his homeland but to a whole race having become the first Hispanic world champion in boxing history. There was little to suggest amidst the hopelessness of the masses that almost two months later on 16 June, another legend of the sport would be born as a son to the same nation and would go on to be the pride and the scourge of its inhabitants before eventually being the prodigal son who would be lauded as a king among men.

    Roberto Durán Samaniego, the offspring of a Panamanian mother and an absent Mexican father, would be better known as Roberto Duran after retaining only his mother’s name in the ring. Raised in the slums of El Chorrillo, Duran would earn money and gather food in any way he could...

    http://www.undisputedfightmag.com/2011/06/02/undisputed-gold-celebrating-duran-at-60/

    Let us know what you think of this article lads. Be warned though, it's a big 'un! Probably one for over lunch :hey
     
    PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011
    PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011
    #1
  2. bman100

    bman100 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    There's some interesting stuff there I knew knew about Duran's life. Duran is very protective about his personal life, no one really knows the really small details I don't think. He wants to make a movie to tell his story. I didn't know as a kid he would fight the US soldiers in Panama, or about Leonard wanting to get in a street fight with Duran after he made Ray's family cry. Good article.
     
    bman100, Jun 2, 2011
    bman100, Jun 2, 2011
    #2
  3. Vantage_West

    Vantage_West ヒップホップ·プロデューサー Full Member

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    he should have a 3 rounder just so he can be the only person to fight in the 60's, 70's,80's,90's,00' and the 10's
     
    Vantage_West, Jun 2, 2011
    Vantage_West, Jun 2, 2011
    #3
  4. PaddyD1983

    PaddyD1983 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Cheers, there's a really good ESPN documentary which if you can catch it tells a fair bit on his personal life. As does the book mentioned in the article and "Four Kings" by George Kimball.

    I heard about this movie, apparently Pacino will be playing Ray Arcel. If it's done well it could be great, but Duran is such a complex character that there's a chance it could be done really badly!
     
    PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011
    PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011
    #4
  5. PaddyD1983

    PaddyD1983 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    :yep

    Get him in with B-Hop to minimise the age difference...
     
    PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011
    PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011
    #5
  6. john garfield

    john garfield Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Seems incredible Duran's 60. Saw him as a spike-haired skinny kid with demonic black eyes in his first bout in N.Y.

    How'd he grow older 'n I stayed the same?
     
    john garfield, Jun 2, 2011
    john garfield, Jun 2, 2011
    #6
  7. PaddyD1983

    PaddyD1983 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Were you there for the Huertas fight John? That's incredible. What was the sense at the time of how he would progress? Relatively unknown to an American audience wasnt he?
     
    PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011
    PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011
    #7
  8. john garfield

    john garfield Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yeah, was ringside, PD. Huertas was a club fighter with a respectable left hook, coming off some impressive KOs.

    When the opening bell rang, Huertas had the temerity to throw one of those hooks at Duran. He disappeared in a tornado of punches, torn to shreds by a wild beast.

    Duran was scary. It wasn't a question if he'd be a champ, but if he'd jump in the crowd 'n kill people 'n drink their blood.
     
    john garfield, Jun 2, 2011
    john garfield, Jun 2, 2011
    #8
  9. bman100

    bman100 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    John, didn't you see the bout with Bucanan as well?
     
    bman100, Jun 2, 2011
    bman100, Jun 2, 2011
    #9
  10. john garfield

    john garfield Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yes, I did, b
     
    john garfield, Jun 2, 2011
    john garfield, Jun 2, 2011
    #10
  11. PaddyD1983

    PaddyD1983 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    :lol:

    That's pretty much how I picture him. Too young to remember his prime but he's still my favourite boxer of all time from the wealth of footage I've seen and all the stuff I've read. Scary man indeed.
     
    PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011
    PaddyD1983, Jun 2, 2011
    #11
  12. Arminius

    Arminius Member Full Member

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    A nice article that pays tribute to one of the greatest!
     
    Arminius, Jun 2, 2011
    Arminius, Jun 2, 2011
    #12
  13. Bogotazo

    Bogotazo Amateur Full Member

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    Great article. This part really intrigued me, since his ranking against Leonard and as an ATG goes back and forth in my mind:

    Duran is often mentioned in the same breath as Leonard, Hagler and Hearns as being the golden age of boxing. Duran’s head to head record against them is not as impressive as Leonard’s, but Duran’s prime came not in these money spinning bouts against these impressive warriors but in his domination of the lightweight division. Without the fights against the golden generation, Duran is still one of the greatest of all time. With these fights, he enters a group of fighters that make up the five best fighters of all time. If you are in any doubt about his legacy, ask yourself where would Hearns, Hagler and Leonard be without each of the other. Now, ask the same of Duran.
     
    Bogotazo, Jun 2, 2011
    Bogotazo, Jun 2, 2011
    #13
  14. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    I am humbly requesting that John Garfield makes an epic post on Duran that moves us all emotionally. Please John.

    I still remember the lengthy post you made about Robinson AGES ago on here, the one where you were talking about how much kids loved him, one line went something like 'hell, we would have paid to watch him hit the bag', stand out post in esb history.
     
    teeto, Jun 2, 2011
    teeto, Jun 2, 2011
    #14
  15. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Duran is still my fav fighter of all-time.
     
    Robbi, Jun 2, 2011
    Robbi, Jun 2, 2011
    #15
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