Welcome to our collection of memorable quotes by the legendary boxer, Roberto Duran. Throughout his illustrious career, Duran not only dominated the boxing ring but also left a lasting impact with his words of wisdom and insight. Born on June 16, 1951, in Panama City, Duran rose to prominence as one of the most formidable fighters in the history of the sport, earning the nickname Hands of Stone for his ferocious punching power and relentless fighting style.
With a professional career spanning over three decades, Roberto Duran faced numerous opponents and challenges, showcasing not only his remarkable athleticism but also his resilience and determination. Beyond his remarkable achievements in boxing, Duran’s words reflect his passion for the sport, his philosophy on life, and his unwavering commitment to excellence. In this collection, we gather some of his most inspiring and thought-provoking quotes, offering insight into the mindset of a true champion.
I’m not God – but I am something similar. Roberto Duran
The life of a boxer is about fighting for world titles. Roberto Duran
There is only one legend. That’s me. Roberto Duran
I want to thank America. You opened your heart so I could enter. Thank you everybody who lives in the United States, who saw me grow into becoming a world champion. Roberto Duran
De La Hoya doesn’t know about salsa. He should keep on singing mariachis and leave the salsa to me. I’m good at salsa. Roberto Duran
Right now, it’s very difficult to single out one fighter, pound-for-pound, who is the best. Right now, it’s very complex. Miguel Cotto, Mayweather and Zab Judah’s a good fighter as well. Roberto Duran
Currently, I’m working with a company called DRL Promotions with my partners Dan Wise and Luis De Cubas. We’re currently representing over 30 fighters. Roberto Duran
I was born to be champion of the world. Roberto Duran
Every time I stepped into the ring, somebody wanted to kill me. Roberto Duran
Some of the old refs have favoritism toward some of the fighters that are currently fighting. There should be a changing of the guard with the refs, the same way there are with fighters. Roberto Duran
I fought a boxer who everybody said I couldn’t beat – Sugar Ray Leonard. They said he was faster than me. That he was the best of the best. And I beat him. Roberto Duran
Fame doesn’t make me any different. I am the same man now who grew up in the hard streets of Panama. I am just myself. I always will be. Whoever wants to talks to me, talks to me. Whoever loves me, loves me for who I am. Roberto Duran
If I had the medical clearance to fight, I would want to fight the best. The best would be Mayweather. Roberto Duran
Nobody stands out right now. Everybody has similar styles. None of these fighters have reinvented the wheel and created a new style. Roberto Duran
Yes, it’s true I once knocked out a horse. It was at a fiesta in my mother’s home town of Guarare. Someone bet me a bottle of whiskey that I couldn’t do it. Roberto Duran
Everybody says it: black, white; everybody calls me a legend. Italians, Jews. Everybody. Roberto Duran
I really feel that if it wasn’t for the accident, I’d still be fighting. I would have handled some of these fighters. I would have made sure that the doctors would have declared me physically sound; and after that, I would have trained. Roberto Duran
I do not fight for free. But I was born to be a fighter. Roberto Duran
Getting hit motivates me. It makes me punish the guy more. A fighter takes a punch, hits back with three punches. Roberto Duran
I laugh when Floyd Mayweather says that if he went back in time he would beat us all. I’ll tell you this: if he was in the same era as Hagler and Hearns and Leonard and me, I don’t think he would be such a big name. There is too much talk. Roberto Duran
I am not going to become crazy in the ring, because I am already crazy. And I am not going to die in the ring. I am going to die in bed as an old man. Roberto Duran