Roberto Duran is a living legend in boxing after his illustrious career spanning over 119 fights.
Roberto Duran retired after a loss to Hector Camacho in 2001. His record ended on 103 wins and 16 losses, and saw Duran engage in blockbuster fights with Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Thomas Hearns.
Though many know of Duran’s infamous ‘No Mas’ loss to Leonard, it was two years later when Duran lost in the upset of the year.
Roberto Duran lost to unknown Kirkland Laing
In 1982, off the back of a unanimous decision loss to Wilfred Benitez, 74-3 Duran faced 23-3-1 Kirkland Laing, a Jamaican-British fighter who had not fought anyone of Duran’s caliber.
Despite the odds being against him, Laing defied his doubters and pulled off what many deemed impossible, handing Duran, who Hearns later KO’d, his fourth defeat via split decision.
After the win, Laing didn’t skyrocket to stardom, but instead became inactive, and didn’t fight for an entire year before returning and losing by KO.
Laing was never as disciplined as his peers and often missed training and engaged in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, so to retire with a record of 43-12-1 and a win over Duran is really something.
Kirkland Laing beat Roberto Duran but lost a low regional contest years later
Despite beating one of boxing’s greatest fighters, ‘The Gifted One’ Laing went on to accrue a host of losses. In 1987, years after beating Duran, Laing won the British super-welterweight title.
In 1990 he added the European to his collection, but after a series of losses he was left in 1993 fighting merely for the Southern Area championship, a regional title.
40-10-1 Laing lost to 10-0 Kevin Lueshing by fifth-round KO.