Nickname: “Manos de Piedra” (Hands of Stone)
Birthplace: El Chorrillo, Panama City, Panama
Weight Class: Lightweight / Welterweight / Light Middleweight / Middleweight / Super Middleweight
Stance: Orthodox
Professional Record: 103 – 16 (70 KOs)
Years Active: 1968 – 2001
Biography
Roberto Durán is one of the most ferocious and accomplished fighters in boxing history. Known as “Manos de Piedra,” or “Hands of Stone,” he combined raw aggression with extraordinary skill and longevity.
Durán turned professional at just 16 years old and dominated the lightweight division throughout the 1970s, capturing the World Lightweight Championship in 1972 and defending it an astonishing 12 times. In 1980, he moved up in weight to defeat Sugar Ray Leonard in Montreal for the World Welterweight Title, handing Leonard his first loss. Their rematch later that year, the famous “No Más” fight, added one of the sport’s most iconic chapters.
Durán went on to capture titles in four weight divisions — Lightweight, Welterweight, Light Middleweight, and Middleweight — and continued competing into his late forties. His ring intelligence, toughness, and charisma made him one of boxing’s most enduring figures, earning universal respect as a true legend.
Roberto Durán in the Hobby
Durán’s trading cards are cornerstones of modern boxing collecting. His earliest Panini and Sportscaster issues coincide with his lightweight dominance, while later cards celebrate his epic rivalries with Leonard, Hearns, and Hagler.
Rookie & Early Issues
1974 – Panini Campioni dello Sport (Italy): Widely regarded as Roberto Durán’s true rookie card. Issued during his lightweight championship reign, it is among the most historically significant Panini boxing cards of the 1970s.
1977 – Panini Campioni dello Sport (Italy): A second, updated portrait issued as Durán’s fame spread internationally; rarer than the 1974 version.
1979 – Sportscaster Series (Italy/UK): Large-format card featuring Durán in action, distributed globally in multilingual editions.
1981 – Panini SuperSport (Italy): Early color sticker issue reflecting his transition into welterweight and global superstardom.
Registry Metadata
Earliest Issue: 1974 Panini Campioni dello Sport (Italy)
Rookie Year: 1974
First Mainstream U.S. Card: 1981 Panini SuperSport (U.S. distribution)
Key Sets: 1974 Campioni dello Sport, 1977 Campioni dello Sport, 1979 Sportscaster, 1981 Panini SuperSport
Known Variants: Panini issues often printed in multiple language editions; Sportscaster cards have both metric and imperial measurements
Grading Rarity:
– 1974 Campioni dello Sport: PSA population ≈ 55; PSA 9s and 10s exceptionally rare due to paper fragility
– 1979 Sportscaster: PSA population ≈ 70; larger format makes high grades uncommon
Recent Notable Sales:
– 1974 Campioni dello Sport (PSA 9) — $4,650 (2024)
– 1979 Sportscaster (PSA 10) — $1,850 (2023)
Legacy
Roberto Durán personified ferocity, endurance, and authenticity. His career spanned five decades and four weight divisions, marked by technical brilliance and sheer will. Known for his intimidating ring presence and devastating combinations, he remains one of the most complete fighters ever to lace up gloves.
In the hobby, Durán’s 1974 Panini rookie card is a pillar of modern boxing collections. It represents not only the rise of Latin American champions on the world stage but also the beginning of Panini’s lasting influence on global boxing card culture. For collectors, Manos de Piedra stands as a symbol of greatness that will never fade.
