Educate Me On Roberto Duran...

He was the naturally lightest of the Four Kings. The others were welter and upwards while he was a lightweight. Basically, he was one mean hombre.

 

Dominated 135 for years, was a force of nature down at the weight and had excellent wins over Ken Buchanan (who I consider a top 10 LW), Hiroshi Kobayashi, Ray Lampkin, Guts Ishimatsu, both Viruet brothers, Masataka Takayama, and Esteban De Jesus. Was also a monster at 147 with wins over Palomino, Monroe Brooks, and of course, his win over a prime SRL in the Brawl in Montreal, which is arguably the greatest win in the history of the sport. He then had a strong run at 154, beating European champion Luigi Minchillo, Pipino Cuevas, and his brutalising of Davey Moore for the title. He then held off a prime Hagler until the final bell, making him look mortal, and coming only a couple rounds away from pulling off the upset. Then you have his MW title run, a division he had no right to be in, where he captured the MW crown from Iran Barkley, who had knocked out Hearns in his previous fight, and the two of them produce an absolute war and one of the best fights of all time with Duran just edging out the much younger man. Add on top of that the fact Duran should have been given the nod against Vinnie Pazienza and Hector Camacho when he was old as dirt. He is easily the best fighter alive and I have him comfortably in my P4P top 10. Yes he has losses but anyone else going through that gauntlet wouldn't drop a few decisions and I think Hearns was just a bad style who had his number, Benitez was a skilful, crafty technician and an excellent talent, and Laing was a close SD when Duran was in possibly the worst condition of his life and coming off his Benitez loss. His achievements are too exemplary and too extraordinary for his losses to detract too much from what is a stellar career.

 

His win over SRL is eclipsed only by Frazier beating Ali

And no other 135 would be able to come up to MW and bang with Hagler for 15 like he did

 

He was a warrior. Mic drop.

 

In terms of the highest highs and lowest lows, no-one has ever had a career quite like Duran’s. He’s a unique figure in the history of the sport.

 

Such a gifted boxer, punching well from EVERY angle. Very rare company there.

Ray Leonard, probably, the most famous/popular boxer at that time (boxing was MUCH more popular then.. Leonard was a household name) was the favorite over lightweight Duran.. but the Duran advocates were 110% confident, and vocal, that their man would win. I still remember what it felt like for Duran to beat Leonard at that time.. hard to believe. Not that Duran wasn't respected, but he was taking on what was (already) considered to be the best welterweight since Sugar Ray Robinson.

That was 1980, but Duran himself was considered the best lightweight of the 70's, near GOAT status, living legend.

He liked to party, though (super popular). That tripped him up, even as gifted as he most definitely was.

 

He was a SOB in the ring, right up to his last fight.

 

He was incredible. If a film was made about him as a story it would be said to be far fetched

 

One of the best ever P4P and arguably the greatest Lightweight ever.

 

A lot of losses that might confuse you, you must understand the fire goes out eventually. Roberto Duran was a daily drinker even during his years at 135lbs, His lifestyle and accomplishments really can explain away some losses as much as that isn’t usually in fashion. “Hands of Stone” had the night of his life and the sun came up and that Roberto Duran was gone.

 

Speaking of lows something to consider someone whose integrity I would not question who was there, said Roberto Duran would drink a bottle of alcohol a day even in preparation for Esteban De Jesus 2.

 

There was a film made in 2016 which goes up to the Davey Moore. Pretty good:

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Superb post, Matt. Cheers!!!