Roberto Duran is one of the greatest to ever step in the ring but did have one of the more surprising losses in the sport.
Duran would hang up his gloves in 2001, with a remarkable 103-16 record.
The Panamanian fighter is a former world middleweight, welterweight, and lightweight champion, winning his first title in 1978.
When claiming the WBC World Welterweight title, Duran had one of the greatest performances of his career. ‘El Cholo’ became the first man to ever defeat Sugar Ray Leonard, as he beat the American on points.
Leonard would even say the loss ‘cursed him’, as the Duran defeat took such a toll on him.
Duran would however fall short when the two had an immediate rematch. Leonard would score an eighth-round TKO over Duran, in a bout that was known as the ‘No Mas’ fight.
However, Leonard later debunked the ‘No Mas’ myth.
Looking to bounce back from the Leonard loss, Duran would face some adversity in his career as he aimed to become world champion again.
- READ MORE: Sugar Ray Leonard predicted he’d beat Floyd Mayweather Jr to his face: ‘Like father, like son’
Roberto Duran failed at first title opportunity following Sugar Ray Leonard loss
Duran’s career looked like it would get back on track after his TKO loss to Leonard. Taking 9 months off after the sequel bout, Duran returned to the ring in Cleveland at super welterweight.
In August 1981, Duran returned to face Nino Gonzalez (24-1) and defeated him via unanimous decision. Just a month later, he would have the same outcome of victory versus Luigi Minchillo (35-1).
The back-to-back wins would lead him to a world title opportunity against Wilfred Benitez (43-1-1).
Meeting in Caesar’s Palace, the pair would fight for the WBC World Super Welterweight title, which was held by Benitez at the time.
However, Duran’s pursuit of becoming a three-division champion did not come to fruition, as he lost on the judges’ scorecards.
The loss would make it two losses in his last four, with Duran needing to get back in the win column.
Roberto Duran stumbled versus unknown boxer
Aiming to get his hand raised again following his unsuccessful title challenge, Duran took on Kirkland Laing.
Laing was a relatively unknown boxer from the United Kingdom, with Duran being very much the favored fighter.
Although a 23-3-1 record was a respectable one for Laing to have, he had never fought anywhere near the caliber of Duran before. As well as this, just months prior, Laing lost to Reggie Ford, who had a professional record of 9-7-1.
However, despite the odds being stacked against Lanig, who was known as ‘The Chosen One’, he was able to pull off the unthinkable and hand Duran a third career defeat.
The fight would end in a split decision, with two judges scoring the bout 96-94 for Laing, and the other 96-94 for Duran.
The shock result would be labeled Ring Magazine’s ‘Upset of the Year’ in 1982.