Who hasn’t heard of Roberto Durán “Hands of Stone”? the famous Panamanian boxer, a former four weight class World Champion regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time.

His story, will be in the big screen as of November 10. “Hands of Stone” (trailer at the end of the article), is directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz and produced by Costa Rican Jay Weisleder. The cast includes: Robert De Niro, Usher, Edgar Ramírez, Rubén Blades, Ana de Armas and Oscar Jaenada.

Jay Weisleder grew up in Pavas, San José and after finishing high school left to the United States to continue studying. He said to People Magazine (Spanish version) that he dreamed of doing this project for 10 years and that his motivation comes from wanting to tell more stories about Latin American heroes. The movie was bought by The Weinstein Company and it was presented at the Cannes Festival earlier this year in honor of Robert De Niro.

The film tells the story of Roberto Duran, born June 16, 1951, his beginning in the world of boxing, his road to becoming a world champion from the hand of trainer Ray Arcel (Robert De Niro) and the reality behind the rivalry between Durán and Sugar Ray Leonard (Usher).

Roberto Durán is interpreted by Edgar Ramírez, a Venezuelan actor who was nominated for a Golden Globe and Emmy Award for his role in the 2010 French – German biopic series Carlos. He has also had roles in the films: The Bourne Ultimatum and Wrath of the Titans.

About Roberto Durán:

Durán began his career as a professional boxer on February 23, 1968. He fought 119 fights (821 rounds) and out of these he holds a record of 103 wins (70 by KO) and 16 losses (4 by KO). He fought in the lightweight division and was undefeated when he got his first title shot in 1972 against Ken Buchanan, he won by technical knockout after 13 rounds and became the WBA World Lightweight Champion; he defended this belt twelve times (with many other non-title fights in between), and went on to battle for the welterweight belt with none other than Sugar Ray Leonard in 1980. Hands of Stone, beat Leonard in a unanimous decision win becoming the WBC World Welterweight Champion, but in the rematch, just 5 months later, Leonard claimed the belt in a fight that is known in the boxing world as the “No Más Fight“; during the eight round Roberto Durán turned towards the referee and said “No más” (no more); Duran quit (he claimed stomach cramps).

He continued his boxing career and after a win over Pipino Cuevas, he fought and beat Davey Moore, capturing the WBA Jr. Middleweight title in 1983; in that same year he fought and lost to “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler; in 1984 he got back in the ring with Thomas “Tommy” Hearns and suffered another loss.
His fourth title came in 1989 when he beat Iran Barkley via split decision for the WBC World Middleweight title; later that same year he fought Leonard again for the WBC World Super Middleweight title and lost a unanimous decision.

Durán continued to fight through the decade of the 90’s and during these years he had two more title shots. Durán retired in 2002 after injuries suffered in a car accident.

He still is very involved in boxing and is an icon in Panama, where he has several businesses.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007.