Roberto Duran, the legendary "Hands of Stone," has named Ken Buchanan as the fighter who gave him the toughest fight of his career. Duran picked the Scottish boxer over other boxing giants like Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Thomas Hearns.
In a recent interview with ESNEWS, Duran reflected on his impressive career that spanned over 30 years and included 119 professional fights. The Panamanian boxer, who won world titles across four weight divisions, is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Duran was part of the "Four Kings," a group that dominated boxing in the 80's and 90's. The group included Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Thomas Hearns. Despite facing these legendary opponents, Duran singled out Ken Buchanan as his toughest fight.
"All fighters are tough but the toughest fight of his career was Ken Buchanan. Because he had to travel, it was 15 rounds, and it was his first world title fight."
The fight took place in June 1972 at Madison Square Garden in New York. It marked Duran's first ever world title challenge, and he emerged victorious after a stoppage in the 13th round. Duran won the WBA world lightweight title, though the fight ended in controversy as Buchanan's calls for a low blow went unheard by the referee.
Duran credited Buchanan's skill, jab, defense, and footwork. The Scottish boxer, hailing from Edinburgh, was a boxing legend in his own right. Buchanan was Scotland's first and only undisputed champion until Josh Taylor repeated the feat in 2021. His career record stood at 61 wins out of 69 fights, and he's been inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
Buchanan's legacy as a British boxing icon remains strong, and Duran's acknowledgment further cements his place in boxing history.
For Duran, this fight marked the beginning of what would become an extremely decorated career. The fact that he considers this early bout his toughest speaks volumes about Buchanan's skill and the intensity of their match-up.
Duran's career continued to soar after this fight, but he never forgot the challenge Buchanan presented. This testament from one of boxing's all-time greats serves as a reminder of the incredible talent that has graced the ring over the years.
