Roberto Duran is one of Four Kings who defined a golden era in the sport of boxing.<\/p>\n
\u2018Hands of Stone\u2019 from Panama \u2013 naturally smaller than the other three \u2013 fought Sugar Ray Leonard three times, winning their first bout in 1980 by unanimous decision in a classic brawl, but losing the rematch later that year via the infamous \u2018No Mas\u2019 surrender in the eighth round, and then again in their 1989 rubber match by decision.<\/p>\n
Against Thomas Hearns<\/a>, Duran suffered a devastating second-round knockout in 1984, one of the most brutal defeats of his career. He had faced Marvin Hagler one year prior, giving a strong performance but ultimately losing a competitive unanimous decision.<\/p>\n Despite the grit shown in all of the above mentioned contests, when asked to name the toughest fight of his career by Boxing News<\/a>, Duran said Iran Barkley without hesitation.<\/p>\n \u201cIran Barkley, definitely. I was told by everyone not to take that fight. In my country of Panama, they said that I should have my license taken away if I tried to take that fight. When your own country is against you it makes it very hard.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n His fight with Barkley on February 24, 1989 was one of the greatest victories of his legendary career \u2013 especially considering the odds and context.<\/p>\n\n