By NICK GIONGCO
Boxing great Roberto Duran has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Panamanian four-division champion’s daughter said in her social media post.
“We received the results of COVID-19 that were done to my dad and tested positive. My dad is well, Hospitalized for observation. We’ll be sharing information with you for the next few days. Thank you so much for all the support. wrote Irichelle after reports circulated that the 69-year-old Hall of Famer was brought to the hospital in his native Panama City for respiratory problems.
Last March, as the world entered the lockdown phase, Duran, nicknamed “Manos de Piedra” (Hands of Stone), even went out on social media and demonstrated proper handwashing with the help of Irichelle, a former fighter and fight commentator who visited the country in 2000.
Duran fought from 1968 until 1971, winning world titles at lightweight (145 lbs), welter (147), super-welter (154) and middleweight (160) and is best remembered for the round-robin with Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns.
His other notable wins came against Esteban De Jesus and Ken Buchanan at 135, Pipino Cuevas at 147, Davey Moore at 154 and Iran Barkley at 160.
