BF Classic Picks II - Roberto Duran

Roberto Duran

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"There's only one legend. That's me."
-- Roberto Duran



STATISTICS:

Birth Name: Roberto Duran Samaniego
Birth Date: 16/06/1951
Birth Place: El Chorrillo, Panama
Alias: Manos de Piedra ("Fists of Stone")
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 66"
Pro Record: 103 (70) - 16 (4)
Championships: Lightweight (1972-79), Welterweight (1980), Light Middleweight (1983-4), Middleweight (1989).
Wins: Ken Buchana TKO13, Esteban De Jesus TKO11, Esteban De Jesus TKO12, Carlos Palomino UD10, Zeferino Gonzalez UD10, Sugar Ray Leonard UD15, Pipino Cuevas TKO4, Davey Moore TKO8, Iran Barkley SD12, Jorge Castro UD10............oh, and apparently he once KO'd a horse.




BIOGRAPHY:

In the world of boxing, fighters must be conscious of executing both victory in the ring and a performance that electrifies fans. Panamanian patriot and relentless boxing veteran Roberto Duran accomplished both effortlessly. Duran's rugged determination promised his opponents fierce physical battles, and guaranteed the audience a high energy, hard-hitting show.

Born in El Chorrillo, Panama on June 16, 1951, Duran's amateur career was brief but promising. Propelled by the income a successful boxing career offered, 16-year-old Duran made the decision to turn professional. After a short adjustment period, he turned the tables on his older and more experienced opponents. It didn't take long for audiences and the media to recognize that Duran's raw, explosive talent was the stuff legends are made of. Though he lacked a press agent and professional representation, the newcomer consistently brought in packed houses. He had fought - and won - a streak of 21 professional fights without any specialized instruction when wealthy landowner Carlos Eleta bought his contract for a mere $300. Eleta then hired renowned trainers Ray Arcel and Freddie Brown to streamline Duran's relentless style and teach him cunning defensive strategies. On June 26, 1972, Duran's uninterrupted victories hit 30, 19 of which were KOs. That night, he defeated WBA Lightweight Champion Ken Buchanan in the 13th round at New York's Madison Square Garden. It was the 21-year-old's first world title. And he was just getting started.

In a career that spans five decades, Duran went on to be the WBC Lightweight Champion, WBC Welterweight Champion, WBA Light Middleweight Champion, WBC Middleweight Champion and WBA Junior Middleweight Champion. His lights-out right punch has stopped opponents from Esteban De Jesus to Davey Moore. Seemingly endless stamina and persistent ferocity have pitted him against many of the world's best light and middleweight fighters, arguably making Roberto Duran one of the 10 best boxers of all time.

(taken from the Roberto Duran official website)



HIGHLIGHTS:

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DOCUMENTARY:

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Lets have some comments on the great Roberto Duran.

 

He's top 10 all-time for me, borderline top 5.

Best Lightweight of all time, just ahead of Benny Leonard.

As stated his victory over Leonard is one of the best wins of all-time.

Great offence, Great defence, Great to watch.



And GPater11093...........................Pep is up next for discussion. You should have a field day with that thread:good

 

I love watching Duran doing the speed bag with his head at 4.20 of the documentary.

 

Whats so good about that:huh

I do it all the timesmooch