Tag: Roberto Duran

Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.: 5 others who fought in their 50s

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. aren’t the only major boxers to fight into their 50s. Here a five others who did it.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

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Fifty-four-year-old Mike Tyson will face 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition this Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. But it won’t be the first time former world champions have stepped into the ring at such an advanced age.

Tyson and Jones will compete over eight two-minute rounds in a contest not officially recognized as a professional boxing bout, but other evergreen fighters have competed at a high level — even sometimes in world title fights.

Jones himself last competed in a sanctioned bout in 2018 at the age of 49 with a unanimous-decision victory over an overwhelmed Scott Sigmon. But here are five fighters who went even longer.

ROBERTO DURAN

Less than a month after his 50th birthday, Duran (103-16, 70 KOs) stepped between the ropes for what would be the final time in his professional career.

Duran, a former four-weight world champion and undisputed lightweight kingpin, notched two consecutive wins in the year 2000 against Americans Pat Lawlor and Patrick Goossen, both via unanimous decision and the former taking place on his 49th birthday. The following year, “Manos de Piedra” went one step further.

In a rematch against Hector “Macho” Camacho at super middleweight, Duran tried — and failed — to avenge a defeat to Camacho from five years prior. Camacho, himself approaching 40, was ruled the winner by all three ringside judges, as he was in 1996 at middleweight.

BOB FITZSIMMONS

Old-time slugger Fitzsimmons was boxing’s first ever three-weight world champion and the lightest-ever heavyweight champ at just 165 pounds. And in 1914, the Brit went out with a win at the age of 51.

His six-round victory over Jersey Bellew on Feb. 20 at the Municipal Hall in South Bethlehem, Penn., came via “newspaper decision,” a common designation at the time that was determined by a consensus of sportswriters in attendance in regions that had not yet adopted the National Sporting Club of London’s rules regarding judges and referees.

BERNARD HOPKINS

“The Executioner” was 51 years, 337 days old when he was stopped in the eighth of 12 scheduled rounds by Joe Smith Jr. in a fight for a minor light heavyweight title on Dec. 17, 2016. But though he lost his final two bouts to Sergey Kovalev and Smith, Hopkins will forever be remembered as one of the sport’s timeless greats.

Hopkins not only fought into his late 40s and early 50s, he became the oldest to win a major title at age 46 before breaking his own record twice in 2013 and 2014.

LARRY HOLMES

Former heavyweight champion Holmes fought twice in his 50s. The first time was on Nov. 17, 2000, when he halted Mike Weaver in Round 6 in Biloxi, Miss.

Then, on July 27, 2002, “The Easton Assassin” called it a day in unique style. The 52-year-old won a 10-round decision over legendary sideshow fighter Eric “Butterbean” Esch, who weighed 300-plus pounds, at the Norfolk Scope in Virginia. It left Holmes with a final record of 69-6 (44 KOs).

JACK JOHNSON

The trailblazing Texan and first African-American world heavyweight champion continued to compete until the ripe of age of 60. Yes, 60!

Johnson lost to Walter Price via seventh-round KO in his final professional fight, though he continued to compete in short exhibitions known as “cellar fights” for private audiences until the age of 67 in order to make a living. He died at 68 in a car crash in North Carolina.

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Roberto Duran on COVID-19: ‘Championship fight … I was able to win as team’

Roberto Duran referred to his battle with the coronavirus as “a world championship fight, which I was able to win as a team.”

Roberto Duran referred to his battle with the coronavirus as “a world championship fight, which I was able to win as a team.”

Duran, 69, was admitted to a Panama City hospital last week after testing positive for COVID-19. He reportedly had mild cold symptoms at the time. His son Robin told a Panamanian television channel that “he has almost no symptoms and no fever.

Robin Duran believes his father might’ve contracted COVID-19 on his birthday, June 16, when a stream of admirers went to his home to wish him a happy birthday.

The Hall of Famer was released from the hospital on Thursday. He posted a video on Instagram showing him being wheeled out and he provided a message.

View this post on Instagram

Buenas tardes mi gente! Hoy, con el favor de Dios, regresé a casa después de batallar contra el virus COVID-19. Fue una pelea de Campeonato Mundial, que pude ganar en equipo, con el apoyo, cariño y dedicación de un cuerpo médico, que no solamente cuidó de mi persona, sino de todos los pacientes, que cómo yo, peleábamos en el hospital contra este virus, que no conoce de leyendas, títulos mundiales, estatus social, raza, religión, etc… A todas esas personas que siguen en la pelea, les mando mucha fuerza y mis oraciones, a sus familiares para que no pierdan sus esperanzas y sepan que Dios tiene el control. A todos mis fanáticos alrededor del Mundo, les doy las gracias por orar por mi y por todos sus mensajes de aliento. No me cansaré de darles las gracias a todos los doctores, enfermeros/as, que día a día dan lo mejor de si, sin importar el riesgo que toman. Yo seré un ex Campeón Mundial, pero ustedes son los verdaderos CAMPEONES DE LA VIDA. Se les quiere, por favor #quédateencasa, sigue la #cuarentena y bajo ninguna circunstancia dejes entrar a nadie a tú casa. Manos de Piedra.

A post shared by Roberto Durán (@robertoduranbox) on

He wrote:

“Today, with the blessing of God, I returned home after battling the COVID-19 virus.

“It was a World Championship fight, which I was able to win as a team, with the support, love and dedication of a medical team, who not only took care of me, but of all the patients, who, like me, fought in the hospital against this virus, which does not know of legends, world titles, social status, race, religion, etc.

“To all those people who continue in the fight, I send a lot of strength and my prayers, to their relatives so that they do not lose their hope and know that God is in control. To all my fans around the world, I thank you for praying for me and for all your messages of encouragement. I will never tire of thanking all the doctors, nurses, who give their best every day, regardless of the risk they take. I will be a former World Champion, but you are the true CHAMPIONS OF LIFE.”

Panama reportedly has the highest rate of coronavirus infections in Central America, with about 700 deaths and more than 36,000 cases. Panama has a population of about 3.9 million.

Roberto Duran recovering from coronavirus, in good spirits

Roberto Duran is recovering from the coronavirus and is eager to return home, according to reports out of Panama.

Roberto Duran is recovering from the coronavirus and is eager to return home, according to reports out of Panama.

Duran, 69, was admitted to a Panama City hospital this past Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19. He reportedly had mild cold symptoms at the time.

“My dad feels great, in fact he already wants to go home,” the Hall of Famer’s son Robin told a Panamanian television channel, according to BoxingScene.com. “He has almost no symptoms and no fever.

“… The doctors told us that his evolution has been very good and that he has been attacking the disease before it reaches the point of complications.”

The former champion is expected to remain in the hospital for precautionary reasons related to his age and a car accident that injured one of his lungs 19 years ago.

Robin Duran believes his father might’ve contracted COVID-19 on his birthday, June 16, when a stream of admirers went to his home to wish him a happy birthday. The retired fighter self-isolated but couldn’t turn people away.

“You already know what my dad is like,” Robin Duran said. “It is very difficult for him to close the doors to someone, and well, on that day, which was his birthday, they wanted to greet him. It was his mistake, and he paid very dearly.”

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Former featherweight champ Ernesto “Nato” Marcel dies at 72

Former featherweight champion Ernesto “Nato” Marcel, who once beat the great Alexis Arguello, has died, according to multiple reports.

Former featherweight champion Ernesto “Nato” Marcel, who once beat the great Alexis Arguello, has died, according to multiple reports in his native Panama.

Marcel reportedly died Monday in Panama City after suffering from multiple health issues over the past few months. He was 72.

Marcel (40-4-2, 23 KOs) fought for less than eight years, from 1966 to 1974, but left his mark on boxing.

He lost a split 15-round decision to WBC featherweight champion Kuniaki Shibata in November 1971 in Japan but took Antonio Gomez’s WBA 126-pound title by a majority 15-round decision in August 1972 in Gomez’s native Venezuela.

He was one of four Panamanians who held major titles simultaneously, along with Roberto Duran, Alfonso Frazer and Enrique Pinder.

Marcel successfully defended his title four times (including a rematch with Gomez) and then retired as champion at only 25 years old. The last defense was against Arguello in February 1974. He won by scores of 146-140, 146-42, 146-140.

The Associated Press reported: “Panama’s Ernesto Marcel retained his WBA featherweight title Saturday by a unanimous decision over challenger Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua. In the early and late rounds Arguello moved forward with his longer reach while Marcel dealt left and right hooks that sent the Nicaraguan’s long hair flying.

“Arguello took so many punches in the 7th round that Referee Sergio Tulio Lay went to his corner after the round and asked him if he wanted to continue.”

Marcel’s only knockout loss came at the hands of Duran, who stopped him in the 10th and final round in May 1970. Duran was only 18 years old and 16-0 at the time.

Sorry, Floyd Mayweather, Ray Leonard was a better 147-pounder than you were

Floyd Mayweather’s resume at 147 pounds doesn’t stack up against that of Sugar Ray Leonard. There certainly isn’t any shame in that.

Floyd Mayweather recently expressed his frustration on a FightHype.com video after someone suggested that Sugar Ray Leonard was a better welterweight than he was.

One of the arguments Mayweather used in pleading his case: “How can you have a guy ranked No. 1 when his first loss was to a lightweight, Roberto Duran?”

Think about that for a second. Mayweather dismissed Duran as “a lightweight.”

Well, first of all, Duran arguably was the greatest lightweight who ever lived. Two, he wasn’t a lightweight when he fought Leonard. That was his ninth fight at welterweight or heavier. And, three, it was Roberto-Freakin-Duran.

I’m shaking my head.

In my opinion, Mayweather was not as good a 147-pounder as Leonard. At the very least, he didn’t prove it if he was.

Mayweather was 12-0 (3 KOs) as a welterweight. His best victories: Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley.

Leonard was 26-1 (18 KOs) as a 147-pounder. His best victories: Thomas Hearns, Duran (in the “no mas” rematch) and Wilfredo Benitez.

All six of those opponents are or will be in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. But there’s a difference. Let’s take a look at each opponent.

Pacquiao (UD 12) – The 2015 victory over the Filipino star carries weight – particularly in light of his recent victory over Keith Thurman – but the fact is Pacquiao, 36, was past his prime when Mayweather outpointed him. That fight should’ve happened five years earlier.

Plus, if you believe Pacquiao, he fought with an injured shoulder. And, if Mayweather is going to call Duran a lightweight, I’ll call Pacquiao a natural 140-pounder. He’s still a small welterweight.

Marquez (UD 12) – Mayweather criticizes those who suggest that Marquez was too small for him given the fact he knocked out Pacquiao at welterweight three years later.

Now I’m scratching my head.

The fact is that Marquez never fought above 135 pounds and was a 126-pounder only six fights earlier when he met Mayweather. Everyone knew at the time that fighting even at a catch weight of 144 was asking too much of the 36-year-old Mexican.

Mosley (UD 12) – Mayweather points out that Mosley was coming off a sensational knockout victory over Antonio Margarito. True. But what Mayweather fails to mention is that Mosley was 38 and had been out of the ring for 16 months when they met.

Also, a quick glance at Mosley’s record indicates he was in decline. He never won another important fight and, including the Mayeather loss, he was 3-5-1 to finish his career.

Now a look at Leonard’s opponents.

Hearns (TKO 14) – The lean, but powerful “Hit Man” was young, not quite 23, but had built a  reputation as an unusually dangerous boxer-puncher. He was 32-0, with 30 knockouts, when he met Leonard for the first time. This version of Hearns was an absolute monster.

Duran (TKO 8) – Say what you want about Duran’s natural size. He was one of the best ever to lace up gloves and was only 29 for the rematch with Leonard, who, instead of brawling with Duran as he had in the first fight, boxed circles around him until he quit.

Benitez (TKO 15) – The superb boxer from Puerto Rico made history when he upset the great Antonio Cervantes to win a 140-pound title at 17 years old. He was only 21 and at his peak when Leonard outboxed and then stopped him.

And please note: Leonard not only beat the three legends mentioned above in only a 22-month period, he stopped all three!

I’m not sure if a prime Mayweather would’ve beaten any of the three. Hearns’ style was all wrong for Mayweather. The only way to beat Hearns was to hurt him and that wasn’t Mayweather’s strength. Jose Luis Castillo and Marcos Maidana gave Mayweather problems with aggression. Can you image what Duran would’ve thrown at him? And Benitez was good enough to give anyone in history problems.

This column isn’t meant to demean Mayweather’s accomplishments. Honestly. I believe strongly that he was the best fighter of his era, which means he’s one of the best fighters of all time.

His resume at 147 pounds simply doesn’t stack up against that of Sugar-Freakin-Ray Leonard. There certainly isn’t any shame in that.

Roberto Duran tests positive for coronavirus, hospitalized

Legendary boxing champion Roberto Duran was hospitalized and tested positive for the coronavirus, his son revealed Thursday.

Legendary boxing champion Roberto Duran was hospitalized and tested positive for the coronavirus, his son revealed Thursday in an Instagram post.

A native of Panama who won world titles in four different weight classes, Duran was best known for his “Hands of Stone” and his June 1980 victory over Sugar Ray Leonard that earned him the WBC Welterweight title.

According to his son Robin, the 69-year-old Duran received test results confirming his positive test for COVID-19 — though his son said he was not showing symptoms other than a mild cold. The boxer, who retired in 2001 with a professional record of 103-16, is not in intensive care and does not need a respirator, Robin Duran wrote in Spanish in his Instagram post.

Doctors also told Duran’s family that his lungs appear to be in good condition.

Duran was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006 and was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007.

Bob Arum on Terence Crawford’s empty-arena demand: ‘Next man up’

Bob Arum said he’ll look to other fighters if Terence Crawford demands more money to fight in an empty arena.

Bob Arum has no problem if his pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford wants more money to fight in an empty arena. The promoter will simply look for someone else if boxing returns without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Next man up,” Arum said on the Boxing with Chris Mannix show. “Nobody in this situation is indispensable.”

He went on: “If a fighter said, ‘No, I don’t want to fight without an audience’ or you have to pay me more, that’s OK. I respect that. Next man up. … Again, nobody can force anybody to fight and nobody can force a promoter to use them.

“I’m going to have to use those fighters who have managers who realize the situation they are in.”

Arum has said he would like to resume boxing in June but only if all involved are safe. He has been openly critical of Dana White’s plan to stage three UFC cards this month, beginning this Saturday.

And he suggested the fresh start could be good for the sport.

“I look forward – maybe I’m an optimist – to more cross-promotions like [Wilder-Fury],” he said. “I think if we do that and we start churning out Crawford vs. [Errol] Spence and a lot of fights that can be made that the public wants to see, I think boxing will revive and be back, almost, to where it was in the 1980s with the Four Kings (Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns).”

Video: Ray Leonard says Roberto Duran punched him hardest

In this episode of “Boxing with Chris Mannix,” Sugar Ray Leonard speaks in detail about both of his fights with Roberto Duran.

Sugar Ray Leonard experienced the first setback of his career against Roberto Duran in their classic first fight in June 1980 in Montreal.

Leonard allowed the fiery Panamanian to goad him into a brawl, which didn’t serve him well. The fight was competitive but Duran emerged with a close decision to take Leonard’s welterweight title.

In the “No Mas” rematch, five months later in New Orleans, Leonard frustrated Duran with his movement and taunting to such a degree that the champion quit in the eighth round.

In this episode of “Boxing with Chris Mannix,” Leonard speaks in detail about both of those fights with Duran.

One take away from the first meeting: “I’ve never been hurt as much by a fighter in my career as Duran.”

Here’s what Leonard had to say, courtesy of DAZN.

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Video: Ray Leonard says he was at his best vs. Hearns, Hagler

Sugar Ray Leonard told Chris Mannix that he was at his very best in his first fight with Thomas Hearns and in his upset of Marvin Hagler.

Sugar Ray Leonard gave many superb performances in his Hall of Fame career, which is why he’s considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.

But in which fight was he at his very best?

Leonard was asked that question on the Boxing with Chris Mannix show recently. He responded with two fights: his first of two with Thomas Hearns, in 1981, and his upset of Marvin Hagler after a three-year layoff, in 1987.

“Each of those fights required 100 percent out of me,” he told Mannix.

Listen to what Leonard had to say about those fights and more, courtesy of DAZN.

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Video: Mannix, Mora on how Canelo Alvarez would do against ’80s legends

Canelo Alvarez has become one of the most dominating fighters of his generation. The Mexican star has lost only once in 14-plus years as a pro (to Floyd Mayweather), has won major titles in three divisions and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any …

Canelo Alvarez has become one of the most dominating fighters of his generation.

The Mexican star has lost only once in 14-plus years as a pro (to Floyd Mayweather), has won major titles in three divisions and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.

But how would Alvarez do against the great middleweights of the 1980s?

Hall of Famers Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran were part of a golden era that has not been duplicated. All four were great fighters, although only Hagler peaked as a 160-pounder.

In this episode of Jabs with Mannix and Mora, DAZN commentators Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora discuss whether Alvarez could’ve held his own against those legends.

Here’s what they had to say.

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