Duran, Roberto (1951-…), became an outstanding Panamanian boxer. Duran was the second boxer to fight in five different decades. Saoul Mamby accomplished that feat two weeks before Duran did. During his career, Duran held world championships in four weight classes—lightweight, welterweight, junior middleweight, and middleweight. Duran finished his professional career with 104 victories, 69 by a knockout. He lost only 16 fights. He earned the nickname Manos de Piedra (Hands of Stone) because of his powerful punches.
Duran was born on June 16, 1951, in Guarare, Panama. After a brief career as an amateur boxer, he turned professional at the age of 16. He won his first 30 fights, gaining his first world title in 1972 by defeating Ken Buchanan for the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight championship. Duran eventually also won the World Boxing Council (WBC) version of the title in 1978 by defeating defending champion Esteban de Jesus. Duran gave up both lightweight titles in 1979 to move up in weight to the welterweight class. He defeated Sugar Ray Leonard for the WBC title in 1980. Duran lost the title to Leonard in a rematch later that year.
Duran won his third world title when he defeated WBA junior middleweight champion Davey Moore in a brutal fight in 1983. Later that year, Duran lost a title fight to middleweight champion Marvin Hagler. The WBA stripped Duran of his junior middleweight title for fighting Thomas Hearns in an unauthorized title defense in 1984. Hearns defeated Duran in the fight.
In 1989, Duran won the WBC middleweight title, his fourth championship, by defeating defending champion Iran Barkley. Duran lost to Leonard in a super middleweight title fight late in 1989. During the 1990’s, Duran continued to fight but never won another major title. He retired in 2002 and became a fight promoter.
