Roberto Duran, the legendary "Hands of Stone," has picked Iran Barkley as the toughest fighter he faced in his career. The Panamanian boxer's choice stands out, as he's put Barkley ahead of fellow "Four Kings" Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Thomas Hearns.
Duran's career spanned boxing's golden era. He retired at 49 after a near-fatal car crash, leaving behind a legacy filled with memorable fights. His battles with Sugar Ray Leonard were particularly noteworthy. Duran won their first clash in 1980, a classic brawl that ended in a unanimous decision. Their rematch later that year resulted in Duran's infamous "No Mas" surrender in the eighth round. Leonard also won their third encounter in 1989 by decision.
Duran's fights against the other "Kings" were equally significant. Thomas Hearns handed him one of his most brutal defeats with a second-round knockout in 1984. Against Marvin Hagler in 1983, Duran lost a competitive unanimous decision but put up a strong performance.
Despite these tough battles, Duran named Iran Barkley as his most challenging opponent. Their fight took place on February 24, 1989, when Duran was 37 and considered past his prime. Barkley, the WBC middleweight champion at the time, was known for his power and had knocked out Hearns the previous year.
The odds were stacked against Duran. He was fighting at a weight disadvantage, and public opinion in Panama was against him taking the fight. Duran recalled:
"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."
The fight turned out to be a back-and-forth war. Duran scored a crucial knockdown in the penultimate round. The final decision was split, with two judges scoring for Duran (118-112 and 116-113) and one for Barkley (116-112). This victory stands as one of the greatest in Duran's legendary career.
In a recent interview with Boxing News, Duran explained why he ranks Barkley as his toughest opponent, surpassing even Leonard, Hagler, and Hearns. The combination of Barkley's skill, power, and the challenging circumstances surrounding the fight solidified this opinion.
Duran's choice of Barkley as his toughest opponent offers a unique perspective on his storied career. It serves as a reminder that in boxing, the toughest fights aren't always against the most famous names. Sometimes, it's the unexpected challenges that leave the most lasting impact.
For a complete look at Roberto Duran's impressive boxing record, you can check out his BoxRec profile.
