With 119 professional fights to his name, Roberto Duran had plenty of options when asked to choose the best opponent he ever faced.
Across a 33-year career that began in 1968, Duran amassed 106 wins and world titles in four weight classes. “Manos de Piedra” shared the ring with some of the sport’s greatest names, including Ken Buchanan, Esteban De Jesús, Sugar Ray Leonard, Wilfred Benítez, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Iran Barkley, Vinny Pazienza and Héctor Camacho.
Feared for his ferocity and ruthless artistry, the Panamanian became part of the famed “Fabulous Four” or “Four Kings”, alongside Leonard, Hagler and Hearns. And from that Hall of Fame group came the opponent Duran still regards as the best of them all when he spoke to The Ring.
“I have to say Sugar Ray Leonard because look at what he did in his career after he lost to me. It takes a lot to come back from defeat and Leonard did it.”
That’s high praise from a man who once had little time for Leonard during their heated rivalry in 1980. In “The Brawl in Montreal,” Duran dethroned the American star to win the WBC welterweight title.
But in the New Orleans rematch, “The Super Fight”, Leonard gained revenge. After taunting Duran, particularly in round seven, Leonard’s showboating finally broke the champion’s composure. At 2:44 of round eight, the Panamanian turned away, quit and was believed to have uttered the words “No Mas” that would forever be associated with the fight. Duran, however, denied ever saying that.
