Roberto Durán, the retired Panamanian boxer, has a net worth of $3 million. Despite his immense success in the ring, Durán’s extravagant lifestyle caused him to blow through over $20 million during the peak of his career.
Durán competed as a professional boxer from 1968 to 2001, achieving world championships in four weight classes and holding titles such as the undisputed and lineal lightweight champion, as well as the lineal welterweight champion.
Known for his formidable punching power and exceptional defense, Durán earned the nickname “Mano de Piedra” (“Hand of Stone”). Regarded as one of the greatest fighters in history, Durán was ranked fifth by The Ring magazine and eighth by boxing historian Bert Sugar. He was also voted the best lightweight of the 20th century by The Associated Press. Despite retiring multiple times, Durán concluded his career with an impressive record of 103 wins, including 70 knockouts, out of 119 fights.
Here’s the breakdown of his net worth:
| Name: | Roberto Duran |
| Net Worth: | $3 Million |
| Monthly Salary: | $400 Thousand |
| Annual Income: | $7 Million |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Boxer |
Learn more: Richest Boxers in the World
Table of Contents
Early Life
Roberto Durán, born on June 16, 1951, hails from Guararé, Panama. His parents, Clara Samaniego and Margarito Durán Sánchez, had diverse backgrounds, with his mother being a Guararé native and his father having Mexican ancestry from Arizona, United States. Durán spent his early years in the impoverished neighborhood of El Chorrillo, specifically in an area known as “La Casa de Piedra” or “The House of Stone,” located in Panama City.
Showing a remarkable passion for boxing from a young age, Durán’s journey in the sport began when he was just eight years old. He started honing his skills by sparring with seasoned boxers at the Neco de La Guardia gymnasium, showcasing his talent and determination even in his early years.
Amateur Career
Before embarking on his illustrious professional career, Roberto Durán first made a name for himself in the world of amateur boxing. Despite encountering initial setbacks, Durán’s determination and talent propelled him to success.
During his amateur stint, Durán accumulated an impressive record, variously reported as 29-3, 18-3, or 13-3. Notably, all three of his losses occurred in his first three amateur fights, showcasing his resilience and ability to bounce back from early setbacks.
Following his achievements as an amateur boxer, Durán transitioned to the professional ranks. At the young age of 16, he made his professional debut in February 1968, stepping into the ring to embark on what would become an extraordinary career.
Lightweight
Roberto Durán’s lightweight boxing career was nothing short of exceptional. He kicked off his professional journey with an impressive winning streak, securing victories in his first 31 fights. Along the way, he delivered knockout blows to notable opponents like Ernesto Marcel and Hiroshi Kobayashi, setting the stage for his title shot.
In June 1972, Durán faced Ken Buchanan for the WBA Lightweight Championship at Madison Square Garden. Despite being considered a 2-to-1 underdog, Durán made a resounding statement. Just fifteen seconds into the opening round, he knocked down Buchanan and dominated the fight, displaying his relentless power. In the 13th round, Durán continued to unleash punches after the bell, including a low blow that caused Buchanan significant pain. The referee, Johnny LoBianco, chose not to disqualify Durán, and the fight was declared a technical knockout in Durán’s favor.
Following his title victory, Durán engaged in non-title matches and successfully defended his championship against opponents like Jimmy Robertson, Hector Thompson, and Guts Ishimatsu. He avenged his only loss at that point by brutally knocking out Esteban De Jesús in the 11th round in 1974. Durán continued his reign as the lightweight champion, accumulating an impressive record of 62-1 with 12 successful title defenses, 11 of which ended in knockout victories. In 1978, he secured the WBC Lightweight Championship in a unification match against De Jesús.
In February 1979, Durán relinquished the Undisputed Lightweight Championship, marking a pivotal point in his career as he moved on to new weight divisions and further solidified his status as one of boxing’s greatest legends.
Welterweight and The Brawl in Montreal
Roberto Durán’s move to the welterweight division led to an epic showdown with undefeated WBC Welterweight Champion Sugar Ray Leonard. The fight took place at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, where Leonard had won his Olympic gold medal. Durán, with an impressive record of 71-1, was highly regarded as the best boxer of the 1970s. Despite Leonard’s expectations of a warm reception, Durán received immense popularity and support from the crowd, surprising his opponent. On June 20, 1980, Durán defeated Leonard via a 15-round unanimous decision to capture the WBC Welterweight title. The fight, known as “The Brawl in Montreal,” solidified Durán’s legendary status.
However, in their rematch, Leonard employed different tactics, using more footwork and movement. During the seventh round, Leonard began taunting Durán, which seemingly affected Durán’s performance. Towards the end of the eighth round, Durán abruptly stopped fighting and, according to the referee and commentators, repeatedly said “No más” (“no more”). Durán and his team denied this claim, with Durán insisting that he said, “No quiero pelear con el payaso” (“I do not want to fight with this clown [Leonard]”). Although Durán briefly retired after the controversial “No más” incident, he ultimately returned to the ring, unwilling to end his career on such a negative note.
Lightweight and Middleweight
After suffering setbacks in the light middleweight division, Roberto Durán made a triumphant comeback on his 32nd birthday. On June 16, 1983, Durán faced WBA Champion Davey Moore at Madison Square Garden. Moore initially put up a fight, but Durán’s relentless assault took its toll. By the eighth round, Moore’s eye was swollen shut, and he was floored. The fight was stopped, and Durán claimed his third world title, leaving the crowd singing “Happy Birthday” to the emotional champion.
Durán then set his sights on the world middleweight title and challenged Marvelous Marvin Hagler on November 10, 1983, in Las Vegas. Despite breaking his hand during the fight, Durán put up a valiant effort in a highly competitive match that went the distance. After 15 rounds, Hagler secured a unanimous decision victory, but Durán became the only man to take Hagler to a full fifteen rounds while he held the championship.
In 1984, Durán faced another setback when the WBA stripped him of his light middleweight title for his fight against WBC Champion Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, as they disapproved of the matchup. Durán suffered a devastating defeat, getting knocked down three times and ultimately losing via knockout in the second round. However, Durán’s retirement was short-lived, as he returned to the ring in early 1986.
Durán’s shot at another title came in 1989 when he challenged Iran Barkley for the WBC Middleweight title. At the age of 37, Durán showcased his incredible skills and determination, knocking Barkley down in the eleventh round. In a tough battle, Durán emerged victorious, capturing his fourth title and earning the recognition of “Fight of the Year” by The Ring for their thrilling encounter.
Super Middleweight
Roberto Durán’s venture into the super middleweight division began with a highly anticipated third fight against Sugar Ray Leonard in December 1989. Although Leonard’s WBC super-middleweight title was at stake, the fight took place at a catchweight of 162 pounds, below the 168-pound super-middleweight limit that Durán preferred. The fight itself was peculiar, with Durán appearing uncharacteristically flat. Leonard ultimately emerged victorious with a wide unanimous decision, but he suffered several severe cuts during the bout.
Following the Leonard fight, Durán took a hiatus until 1991, relinquishing his WBC middleweight crown. Despite his apparent decline, Durán continued to pursue title opportunities in the super-middleweight and middleweight divisions. He faced Vinny Pazienza twice for the IBC Super Middleweight Championship in 1994 and 1995, but Pazienza emerged as the victor on both occasions, albeit with controversial decisions.
In 1996, Durán challenged Héctor Camacho for the vacant IBC Middleweight Championship. Despite an impressive performance, Durán suffered another contentious unanimous decision loss. His old rival, Sugar Ray Leonard, commentating at ringside, expressed disbelief at the judges’ scoring.
Durán’s career continued with ups and downs, including a rematch victory against Jorge Castro in Panama and a devastating defeat at the hands of William Joppy in 1998. Despite announcing retirement multiple times, Durán kept returning to the ring, avenging a previous loss against Pat Lawlor in 2000 to win the NBA Super Middleweight Championship on his 49th birthday. However, his final fight came in a rematch against Héctor Camacho, where Durán lost and ultimately decided to hang up his gloves for good.
Career Earnings
During his boxing career, Roberto Durán amassed a substantial fortune through his impressive performances and high-profile fights. One of his most notable earnings came from his rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard in 1980, where Durán reportedly received a staggering $7 million. This bout, famously known for Durán’s “no mas” declaration, solidified his status as a top-earning athlete in the boxing world.
Apart from his encounter with Leonard, Durán’s fights against renowned opponents like Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns also contributed significantly to his overall earnings. His ability to attract large audiences and generate pay-per-view revenue allowed him to command substantial purses throughout his career.
While precise figures for his total earnings are not available, it is estimated that Roberto Durán accumulated over $20 million in prize money and purses during his time as a professional boxer.
Retirement
Roberto Durán retired from boxing at the age of 50 after a life-threatening car accident in Argentina in October 2001, which required surgery. He announced his retirement, motivated by his friend Diego Maradona’s weight issues and his desire to stay in shape.
Durán’s illustrious career included winning five world title belts in four different divisions, making him one of the few boxers with over 50 knockout victories. In 1993, his belts were stolen but were eventually returned to him in 2003.
He was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007. Durán faced a health scare in 2020 when he tested positive for COVID-19 but recovered and was released from the hospital.
He currently serves as the brand ambassador for Panama Blue, a premium bottled water brand. Durán also holds a license as an ultralight aircraft pilot and has a daughter, Irichelle Durán, who pursued a brief professional boxing career.
Media Appearances
Roberto Durán made several notable media appearances throughout his career, showcasing his versatility beyond the boxing ring. In the 1979 film Rocky II, Durán had a role as Rocky Balboa’s lightning-fast sparring partner. He also made minor appearances in Harlem Nights.
The documentary Los puños de una nación provided an in-depth exploration of Durán’s life and boxing career, shedding light on his journey. He was briefly interviewed in The Panama Deception, sharing his experience during the United States invasion of Panama.
Durán’s story was brought to the big screen in the biopic Hands of Stone, featuring Édgar Ramírez as Durán, Robert De Niro as Ray Arcel, and Usher as Sugar Ray Leonard.
On television, Durán played the character of drug lord Jesús Maroto in an episode of Miami Vice. His name was also mentioned in the crime drama CSI: NY, highlighting his impact as a powerful puncher.
Durán’s influence extended to the music world as well. He was referenced in songs such as “The Eyes of Roberto Durán” by Tom Russell, “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” by Nas, and “Museum of Childhood” by Jackie Leven. Notably, jazz musician Miles Davis recorded a tribute to Durán called “Duran.”
His legacy was further recognized in salsa songs like “Pa’l Bailador” by Joe Arroyo and “Uno Mas” by Chino. Even in genres like rock and folk, Durán’s name appeared in songs by artists such as Sun Kil Moon and Kevin Morby.
Additionally, Durán showcased his musical talent as a Salsa singer, leading an orchestra named “Felicidad” and recording albums.
Favourite Roberto Duran Quotes
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.
I was born to be champion of the world.
There is only one legend. That’s me.
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.
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.
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.