Roberto Duran played a crucial role in one of the greatest eras in boxing history.
The Panamanian great stormed onto the scene during the 1970s, becoming the undisputed lightweight champion in January of 1978 when he defeated Esteban de Jesus at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Duran would go on to win world titles in a further three weight classes during his career, although the bulk of his success came during the 1980s where he became a member of the ‘Four Kings’.
This legendary quartet of fighters was made up of Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hearns, who all crossed paths with each other on at least one occasion throughout the course of their respective careers.
In an interview with The Ring Magazine, Duran was asked to reveal which of the ‘Four Kings’ had the best chin, naming none other than Hagler who he says was is ‘toughest ever opponent’.
“I hit Hagler with a lot of punches and he just kept coming. I didn’t find him as skillful as some of the opponents I faced but he was the toughest.”
Duran faced Hagler just once during his career, challenging his American rival for the undisputed world middleweight championship in November of 1983.
After a closely fought 15-round battle in Las Vegas, Hagler prevailed to defend his world titles against ‘Hands of Stone’. Duran became the first fighter to take Hagler the distance during his reign as middleweight champion, which proved to be an exceptional accomplishment for the Panamanian great.
