An 8x10 Colour Action photograph of Roberto
Duran in action against Iran Barkley. This boxing epic was
fight of the year back in 1989 in which Duran won by a split
decision. One of the best action Boxing Photographs. This
was when Barkley was put down in round eleven. Signed in
blue sharpie and comes with a photo from the signing!
Roberto
Duran £45.00
Roberto Duran, who grew up in the tough streets
of Panama, was a natural born fighter. The son of a Mexican
father and a Panamanian mother, the Latin legend learned
to fight at a young age. Duran turned pro at 16 and went
on to become perhaps the best professional fighter since
the heyday of Ray Robinson.
Roberto Duran’s peak performance was
his brilliant title winning effort against then unbeaten
Sugar Ray Leonard for the world welterweight championship.
In a bout that featured ferocious infighting by both men
Duran outworked, out-hustled and yes, out-boxed Ray Leonard.
The June 30, 1980 Sports Illustrated reported, “It
was, from almost the opening salvo, a fight that belonged
to Roberto Duran. The Panamanian seized the evening and
gave it what shape and momentum it had. He took control,
attacking and driving Leonard to the ropes, bulling him
back, hitting him with lefts and rights top the body as
he maneuvered the champion against the ropes from corner
to corner.” Duran was relentless as he pressured,
mauled, and pounded his way to a unanimous decision.
Watch Roberto Duran vs Iran Barkley Boxing
Video :
The one aberration on Duran’s record
is the infamous “No Mas” fight in his rematch
against Ray Leonard. It was highly controversial; many believing
Duran threw the fight for an 8 million dollar payday. He
resigned unhurt in the eighth round. Leonard was fast on
his feet and mocking Duran when Roberto mysteriously quit
claiming stomach cramps. Ray Arcel said, “That’s
nonsense. I just think Duran couldn’t accept Leonard’s
clowning, that Leonard got his goat and he couldn’t
handle it. Between rounds I kept telling Duran, “If
you crowd him, you can keep him from going through all these
motions.” That’s what Duran had done in Montreal,
and I kept reminding him, “Remember Montreal, shove
him, push him.” If anybody would have told Duran another
fighter would make him quit, he’d have got a gun and
killed him. I never worked with Duran again. When he finally
fought Leonard a third time I thought he’d be more
aggressive but he tried to outbox him.”
