Boxing legend Roberto Duran has one of the most impressive resumes in the sport’s history.
From handing ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard a devestating loss, to Duran going on a 40-fight win streak, few have matched the accomplishments of ‘El Cholo’.
The Panamanian fighter retired with a remarkable 103-16 record, with 70 knockout wins in the process. Among his losses, he was only stopped four times, which includes the famous ‘No Mas’ fight.
However, in one of the few stoppage losses of his career, Duran had a tough night against a fellow member of the ‘Four Kings’
Thomas Hearns handed Roberto Duran a brutal knockout
After Duran suffered a shock loss to Kirkland Laing in 1982, he had gotten himself back into title contention with two wins before becoming super welterweight champion in 1983.
Despite just becoming a two-division champion, Duran immediately set his sights on the middleweight world title. With this ambition, he challenged Marvin Hagler.
Hagler was a unified champion at middleweight and would narrowly be able to fend off Duran to retain his belts. Moving back to super welterweight, he would challenge another champion in his next fight.
In June 1984, Duran challenged WBC Super Welterweight champion Thomas Hearns. The bout would be contested in Las Vegas, as Hearns had a 38-1 record.
Duran, whose record was 77-5, would have a rough night in his title challenge.
A dominant opening round would see the judges score the bout 10-7, 10-7, and 10-6 in favor of Hearns, after Duran was put to the canvas twice. Then, in the second round, the Panamanian would be stopped.
A vicious onslaught from Hearns would end when a thunderous right hand landed on Duran, who fell face down to the canvas. The fight was stopped as the champion retained his title.
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Roberto Duran would compete for a world title age 47
Although Duran’s title attempt against Hearns was unsuccessful, he would become champion again. As Duran defeated Iran Barkley in February 1989, he won the WBC World Middleweight title.
Although he dropped the belt in his trilogy meeting with Leonard, he would continue to compete at the top level for some years.
In August 1998, Duran would challenge WBA Middleweight champion William Joppy in Las Vegas. Remarkably, Duran was 47 years of age on fight night.
When Duran won his first world title, he was just 21 years of age. In 1972, he defeated Ken Buchanan in what Duran described as his toughest fight.
Although competing for a title at the age of 47 was a feat in itself, Duran was not able to make history as he lost via third-round knockout to Joppy.