Ray Arcel talks about the evolution of Duran

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Nov 1, 2025 at 7:05 PM.


  1. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    'When I first agreed to train Duran, he was right hand crazy. I kept trying to tell him he had to set up the right, but it was like talking to a deaf man.

    One day, I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and said, 'Roberto, I want you to hit Freddie [Brown] with the best right hand you have.' He looked at me like I was crazy. 'I no hit and old man,' he said, and started walking out of the room. So I started flapping my arms like a chicken. That got him mad, and he threw a wild right at Freddie. Freddie ducked, and slapped him on the face three times before he knew what had hit him.

    Now he was really mad, and he almost took the door off the hinges. But the next day in training, he threw some of the most beautiful lefts you've ever seen. And he grabs me later and smiles, 'Now I have nothing to worry about. Now I am a man with two hands.''

    - Ray Arcel
     
  2. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 OFFICIAL THREAD DIDDLER Full Member

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  3. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

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    "The disciplined decorum of left handed boxing is far more efficiently refined, and beautiful, than mere fanciful right handed swinging."

    - Roberto Duran, probably.
     
  4. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    LOL
     
    roughdiamond likes this.
  5. PrimoGT

    PrimoGT Active Member Full Member

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    Did Arcel speak a lot of Spanish? Did Duran understand English in those early days?
     
  6. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 OFFICIAL THREAD DIDDLER Full Member

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    Maybe Plomo was the translator between the 2 but i seriously doubt Roberto said that
     
  7. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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