Interview with Roberto Duran

April 15th, 2008

By Scoop Malinowski

This man needs no introduction. He is one of the greatest fighters in ring history – a four-time world champ in four weight classes, and one of the most beloved champions of all time.

It was a surprise to see Roberto Duran in Atlantic City for fightweek of Don King’s super event. Here is our exclusive Boxinginsider.com interview with Roberto Duran:

BoxingInsider.com: Please give the boxing world an update on Roberto Duran?

Roberto Duran: “I live in Panama City and right now i’m promoting fights in Panama. And I’m promoting my own salsa band (Arenablanca).”

BoxingInsider.com: What brings you here to Atlantic City?

Roberto Duran: I love boxing! And my son is working on TV doing translating.”

BoxingInsider.com: Which boxers of today do you like to watch?

Roberto Duran: “All of them. I love boxing and for me all of them are good.”

BoxingInsider.com: Who do you see becoming the next dominant heavyweight champion if Lennox Lewis retires?

Roberto Duran: Mike Tyson again can be the best heavyweight.”

BoxingInsider.com: What do you like about Ricardo Mayorga who many say he reminds of you?

Roberto Duran: “I like the courage. He’s a guy that goes on it. He doesn’t care whether you’re punching him or not. He just goes at it.”

BoxingInsider.com: Do you see a little of yourself in Ricardo Mayorga?

Roberto Duran: “No. Just courage.”

BoxingInsider.com: Please give your comments on Bernard Hopkins?

Roberto Duran: “He’s a good boxer. And he’s strong. He can take a punch.”

BoxingInsider.com: What do you see in Oscar De La Hoya?

Roberto Duran: “He’s a good boxer. And very smart around the ring. Very smart.”

BoxingInsider.com: Roy Jones?

Roberto Duran: “He fought only guys he knew he would beat.”

BoxingInsider.com: Impressed by the Klitschko brothers?

Roberto Duran: “Not impressed at all, no. I don’t see much.”

BoxingInsider.com: What do you see in Lennox Lewis?

Roberto Duran: “Lennox Lewis has been very lucky because I don’t consider him as a punch taker. He hasn’t fought a smart boxer.”

BoxingInsider.com: What fights were you at your best?

Roberto Duran: “Two fights. Buchanan and Barkley. (Vs. Buchanan)…I wanted to be world champion. (Vs. Barkley – at age 37)…Everybody thought that I was no good. That I was already done.”

BoxingInsider.com: Hardest punchers you faced?

Roberto Duran: “Hearns and Barkley. And DeJesus.”

BoxingInsider.com: Toughest opponents?

Roberto Duran: “Barkley, Hagler and Leonard.”

BoxingInsider.com: What was your greatest boxing moment?

Roberto Duran: “When I fought Ernest Marcel in Panama City. He was a good fighter and it was a big win. That’s the fight that opened the door to the championship. And of course my first world title (won from Ken Buchanan at Madison Square Garden in 1972).”

BoxingInsider.com: Most painful moment?

Roberto Duran: “The second fight with Ray Leonard in New Orleans. I had so many problems and quit that fight.”

BoxingInsider.com: And last question, any funny memory you have? Anything when you look back it makes you laugh?

Roberto Duran: “After I won the Lightweight title from Ken Buchanan, I wanted to eat every kind of ice cream, every flavor, every color. And after that I did champagne. And after that I had diarrhea. I went to the bathroom a hundred times that night [laughter].”