Boxing legend Roberto Duran is often mentioned in the same breath as Muhammad Ali as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
From Duran’s incredible win over Sugar Ray Leonard to being a four-weight world champion, few have accomplished what ‘El Cholo’ has.
Retiring in 2001 after 119 fights, Duran only tasted defeat 16 times in his career. However, his first loss came under unlikely circumstances as the Panamanian reveals he should not have competed that night.
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Roberto Duran was in a car crash before his first professional loss
Duran suffered his first professional loss in November 1972, when he took on Esteban De Jesus. ‘El Cholo’ was 31-0 going into the bout, as the two fought in Madison Square Garden in New York.
However, despite winning a world title in Duran’s toughest fight just five months prior, the Panamanian would lose via unanimous decision. However, all was not well with Duran on fight night.
When asked by One On One about the loss, Duran said, “That was bad. I’ll tell you why.”
“Carlos Eleta [Duran’s promoter] shouldn’t have taken that fight, because, I was in a car accident. I broke my [arm] and my mouth was smashed up. I believe that Carlos Eleta just wanted money out of Roberto Duran… I still had swelling and bleeding in my mouth and my elbow was broken.”
“The only good thing Esteban De Jesus did was drop me. When he dropped me, I stood up and won the fight, and they gave it [the fight] to him.”
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Roberto Duran would avenge his loss to Esteban De Jesus
Duran was eager to get a rematch with the first man to best him inside the ring. However, he would have to wait two years to face De Jesus again.
This time, the pair met in Panama, as Duran looked to defend his WBA World Lightweight title. Despite getting knocked down again in the opening round, Duran would win the bout via TKO in round 11.
Duran would then go undefeated for another six years after his sequel bout with De Jesus. This included a third bout with De Jesus, who Duran defeated via stoppage again in 1978.
It would not be until Duran’s ‘No Mas’ fight with Leonard that he would succumb to another loss in 1980.