A former opponent of Roy Jones Jr and Roberto Duran has revealed which of the legendary duo punched harder in a surprising admission.
Florida-native Jones is often regarded as being one of the greatest fighters of all time, winning world titles in four weight classes throughout the course of his professional career which saw him defeat the likes of James Toney, Bernard Hopkins and Antonio Tarver.
Duran, who is known by his moniker ‘Hands of Stone’, rose to prominence during the 1980s which is considered to be one of boxing’s greatest eras. The Panamanian icon would go on to become a world champion in four weight classes during his 33-year professional career which spanned across five decades.
One man who shared the ring with both Jones and Duran is Hall of Fame inductee and two-weight world champion Vinny Paz, who bounced back from a serious neck injury in 1991 just weeks after he captured the WBA super-welterweight title.
Speaking to The Ring Magazine, Paz didn’t hesitate to reveal Duran as the hardest hitting fighter he ever crossed paths with, paying homage to the Panamanian icon who he says is the best lightweight of all time.
“He hit me and I was like, “What the f**k!” Real, real heavy handed. I’ll never forget the first time he hit me with a body shot, I was like, “I’ve got to take this for 12 rounds!? Oh my God!.”
“He was the best lightweight of all time. That’s incredible, what a statement. I joke around when I see Duran, I say, “You hit me the hardest and you were 90 when I fought you!,” he starts cracking up.”
Paz locked horns with Duran twice in the space of seven months between June 1994 and January 1995, defeating him via unanimous on both occasions.
