The age of the athlete is quite fleeting, and the career of a boxer is no exception. Many of the representatives of this sport did not leave any vivid imprints in history. But there are people whose fate turned out to be such that even after the end of their performances in the ring they continue to talk about them. And one of these athletes is a famous person named Roberto Duran.
Panama is my homeland!
Roberto Duran I saw this world on June 16, 1951 in one of the poorest areas of the Panama Republic. In the family of his parents, he was the second child of nine. The father of the future boxing star by nationality was a Mexican, and his mother a citizen of Panama. The poverty in which little Roberto grew up left him no chance in choosing a profession. From childhood, he had to be a shoe shine, and a fisherman, and steal coconuts on the plantations of millionaire Carlos Elete.
Start boxing
At the age of 14, Roberto Duran drops out of school and starts boxing with his older brother. The persistence that the young man demonstrated in the boxing gym impressed even the former winner of the Panama championship - Sammy Medina. In the amateur ring, the young Panamanian had only 16 fights, of which he came out victorious in thirteen.
The beginning of a professional career
The boxing talent possessed by Duran allowed him, as they say, to “turn around” in the pro ring. His heavy punches were more effective in professional boxing than in amateur boxing. His first opponent was Carlos Mendoza, who eventually became the only one of the first ten boxers who opposed his young talent. Mendoza managed to reach the final gong and did not fall under a hail of blows. It is noteworthy that the phenomenal Panamanian spent his first battles in the Nuevo Panama Coliseum arena, which over time will have a different name - Roberto Duran Coliseum.
Grand stars fights
The second professional fight for the “assassin from Panama” was a fight with a rather sophisticated boxer named Benny Huertas. For Duran, this battle was the first in the United States, held in the famous "Madison Square Garden" in New York. The ending of the battle was the knockout of the Panamanian opponent, which happened after one minute and six seconds of the first round.
October 16, 1971 Roberto Duran met with ex-world lightweight champion Japanese Hiroshi Kobiyashi. The representative of the Land of the Rising Sun was a very fast and smart boxer with a good school, but he also had a drawback - the lack of a knockout blow. If you draw a parallel, then this is the prototype of Timothy Bradley. It cannot be said that this fight was the beating of a baby by Duran, but still the Japanese knockout turned out to be a matter of time. After a series of four shots to the head, Hiroshi ended up in the canvas of the ring and could no longer continue the fight. By the way, this fight was the last in his career and only 26th for Roberto.
June 26, 1972 Panamanian boxer became a crowned fighter. He managed to become the WBA World Champion by taking the title from Ken Buchanan. Already in the first round, Duran knocked out the champion who was at that time. Buchanan was able to rise, however, as it turned out, in vain. The Panamanian just bombed Ken. In the last seconds of the thirteenth round, Buchanan was knocked out after the blow, which to this day causes controversy. He fell into the belt of cowards. But the referee did not notice a violation and raised his hand to Duran. Thus began the era of the reign of the new champion.
After this fight, the Panamanian professional boxer held several non-title fights, which in our time, the current champions, unfortunately, do not. In total, Roberto fought in 20 such fights.
“I am not God, but I am something like that”
It is this phrase that belongs to Duran, who has always been quite self-confident and assertive. And once it played a trick on him. His rival, Esteban De Jesus, was able to box Roberto and even knock him down. But fate was destined for the defeat of Esteban in a rematch, and by knockout. In the eleventh round, the Puerto Rican could not stand a series of punches from the Panamanian.
Boxing champions often carry out unification fights. And therefore, after some time, after spending a few more fights, Duran again finds himself face to face in the ring with De Jesus in their third duel. The Puerto Rican by that time also became the champion, but according to another version, and went into battle with the goal of taking the belt from Duran. In round 12, the Panamanian was able to complete the fight ahead of schedule. Moreover, it should be noted that Roberto approached this fight in optimal physical shape and worked great on his defense and balance. Experts noted his mobility on his legs and maneuverability. This fight was the last lightweight champion for Duran.
Golden fight
June 20, 1980. Montreal. Duran's fight against Leonard. A very difficult, viscous, quite dense and dramatic duel. In a word - a slaughterhouse for every millimeter of the ring. Durant won, but it cannot be said that Leonard was worse. The only thing that spoiled the impression of boxing of two great athletes was the slap in the face, which Duran weighed Leonard after the fight instead of shaking hands.
But, after five months, Sugar Ray took more than convincing revenge, forcing the Panamanian to say a phrase that went down in history: "No Mas." This shameful defeat Duran did not forgive neither the fans nor the coach.
However, Roberto Duran, whose fights were still extremely popular, after a while was able to re-enter the cohort of the best. He held a number of brilliant battles and again managed to win the league title.
On June 16, 1983, boxing champions (only one former and the other acting) converge in the square of the ring. Duran vs. Davy Moore. Athletic American bookmakers was considered a favorite, but, as the result of the battle, in vain. He lost, and ahead of schedule.
After that, Duran had a duel with the magnificent Hagler, but lost in a close fight on points. This significant victory of Marvin did not allow Duran to become the best fighter in the fourth for the Panamanian weight category.
This defeat gave impetus to Duran, and he conducts a series of several fights in which victories alternated with defeats. But in the end, at the age of 47, he again manages to win the title and try on the belt of the world champion.