I Am Duran, Roberto Duran
I Am Duran, Roberto Duran
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I Am Duran
My Autobiography

Author: Roberto Duran

Narrator: Henry Leyva

Unabridged: 7 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 09/20/2016


Synopsis

They called him “Manos de Piedra”—Hands of Stone—and he was one of the greatest boxers of all time. Now Roberto Durán tells his unbelievable story: from the streets of Panama to being crowned one of the “Four Kings,” along with Hearns, Leonard, and Hagler, as he blazed a trail through the Golden Age of Boxing.

Born into abject poverty, barely able to read or write, Durán quickly realized that his fists could both protect him on the streets and put food on the table. His reputation was established on the day when, for a bet, he knocked down a horse with a single punch. At the age of twenty-one, he claimed his first world title, against Ken Buchanan at Madison Square Garden. The legend of Manos de Piedra was born, but his most glorious moment was yet to come.

In 1980, Durán delivered one of the greatest upsets in boxing history by defeating the previously unbeatable Sugar Ray Leonard. But greater fame brought greater distractions, and Durán’s endless partying took its toll before the two superstars faced each other again. Here, for the first time ever, Durán confronts the debacle of the rematch that entered sporting folklore, and the truth behind the moment he was heard to utter the infamous words “No más”—No more.

Durán’s explosive performances in the ring were matched only by the volatility of his life outside it. He lurched from living like royalty to bankruptcy and, after being written off as a boxing also-ran, made a bloody, legendary comeback that gave his career the ultimate ending, and finally brought redemption. He came from nothing, and changed the world. I Am Durán is the autobiography of one of boxing’s most iconic legends.

About The Author

Widely acknowledged as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Roberto Durán held world titles in four different weight classes. His epic bouts with Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns have gone down in boxing history, and his pro record of 103 wins (70 by KO) in 119 bouts puts him in an elite group of fighters. He is a boxer’s boxer, and his fearless fighting style truly earned him the sobriquet “Hands of Stone.”


Reviews

Goodreads review by Brett

This was a good first-person narrative of Los Manos de Piedras, Hands of Stone. This was a true and honest story about boxer Roberto Duran. This Panamanian fighter was born into poverty and grew up a street kid, a palao, a quick-witted, quick-handed, and street smart kid in and out of jail who was f......more

Goodreads review by Colby

The story of Duran’s life is truly inspirational. He has uncanny self confidence and doesn’t lighten up on his imperfections. He embraces everything that life has shown him. I’d recommend this book to anyone as it depicts all the glamour fame brings, and all the adversity that comes with poverty and......more

A young man from Panama became one of the greatest boxer of all time. Though his young life was filled with adversity and poverty,began boxing at the age of 8.He made his way through to become 4 times world champion. Habitat forms a man.He was a inspiring tough guy but not a man of great character. Ou......more

Goodreads review by Lea

An honest account of one of the best boxers in history. Duran came from a poor background, leaving school early to make money to look after his mum & siblings. He was a shoe shiner, sold newspapers, sang and danced in the streets and stole mangoes to make ends meet. He found fame as a boxer, winning......more


Quotes

"In these pugilistic times, a must read . . . I was drawn in and kept reading and before I knew I was through the book and feeling, really feeling, like I just sat down to a long dinner and beers after in some open Panamanian café with Durán sitting across from me just speaking with no filter, none at all. . . . The man behind [his record] is what’s so interesting. In this book I found him likeable and courageous and incorrigible. . . . The book reads like that, a rolling narrative of complete honesty. I’m not saying he is right about everything, but that he is breathtakingly honest about his point of view. It is hard to stop listening to him. Today’s youth could use a taste of his grit, of his legacy won with more heart than skill." --Frank Miniter, Forbes