“Manos de Piedra” Inducted in 2014 Class
Local Las Vegas residents are used to seeing it all from A-Z on the Strip bursting with bright lights, bustling loud casinos along with plenty of hijinks on the sidewalks of Sin City. But heads certainly turned when a beloved boxing hero and legend returned to a town where he made his name.
Panamanian superstar Roberto Duran arrived in Vegas for the August 9 Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) Induction weekend that took place at the New Tropicana Hotel and Casino. This was the second annual dinner and awards ceremony hosted by NVBHOF, a burgeoning new nonprofit quickly getting noticed by the boxing world and beyond.
This year, President/Founder Rich Marotta and Vice President Michelle Corrales-Lewis and their voting committee nominated the slugger known as “Manos de Piedra” to be inducted alongside 17 other awardees. And who was the guest of honor presenting Duran with this prestigious trophy? None other than his former rival Sugar Ray Leonard.
Duran’s bigger-than-life personality was a big hit with everyone who crossed his path during this Hall of Fame weekend. During his time, he fought at Caesars Palace, MGM, Las Vegas Hilton and the Mirage and Vegas fight fans heralded his return to the Mecca of Boxing. The legend has 103 victories and 70 knockouts in his Hall of Fame career.
From his arrival Thursday to his on-stage presence Saturday night at the Trop, Duran was the toast of the town.
Here is my SPECIAL REPORT and EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS of the legend, who had his proud family by his side.
If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to be around the champ, you know family is his #1 priority. I had a chance to meet his daughter and two sons who were in town for the festivities and I could see the mutual pride and affection they had for each other. Team Duran included Roberto’s wife, daughter Irichelle Duran (former pro fighter and current on-air host), Roberto Duran (actor, TV host, Martial Arts fighter), Victor Duran (singer and rapper), Roberto’s grandson, 7 and more. I also corresponded with his daughter Dalia Duran (who was in Florida and couldn’t attend due to previous commitments) and she relayed her well wishes, support, and presence during all the events.
It was a busy three days for the family. On Thursday, Roberto was greeted by Marotta and Corrales-Lewis, along with fellow 2014 Inductee Miguel Diaz and former champion Christy Martin. The fighter met with a intimate group of local media upon his arrival. Duran bellowed out big “Hellos” to everyone, making everyone feel comfortable in his presence.
On Friday night, there was a VIP Welcome Reception for the inductees, board members and special guests. This soiree was a spirited reunion held at the classy BLVD. Cocktail Company at the LINQ entertainment complex. Guests were offered specialty cocktails made just for this Friday gala with choices like “Sucker Punch,” “Sting Like a Bee,” “The 1-2 Knockout” and “The Hall of Fame.”
Roberto and his family joined various luminaries such as actress Rosie Perez, fighters Shawn Porter, Mike “The Bodysnatcher” McCallum, Cornelius Boza Edwards, Jessie Vargas, the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Mauricio Sulaiman, Jill Diamond and Chuck Williams, boxer/MMA fighter Ana Julaton, referees Kenny Bayless and Richard Steele and more. Duran created a buzz when he entered the building. The ring king (known for his wars with Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Iran Barkley and more) reconnected with many familiar faces from his past. The once-menacing fighter was all smiles during the night. His fiery ring persona now giving way to an affectionate, healthy-looking 63-year-old.
His family mingled with the crowd and enjoyed meeting everyone. I visited with the champ’s son, Roberto Jr. (who also trained in boxing), who gave me an update about a movie he’s making combining Muay Thai, kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu. Fighter Ana Julaton also joined us. She is fighting August 29 in Dubai. The female fighter has now ventured into MMA and she and Roberto talked about transitioning from one sport to another.
Another highlight at Friday’s bash was an impromptu performance by Duran’s other son, Victor. The talented young man sang a song for the crowd and also broke out in a beat-box rap. As his champion dad looked on with approval, the crowd gave the singer a rousing standing ovation.
And after the cocktail party, it was time to go high in the sky!
We all had a chance to test out the new High Roller ride at the LINQ. As the “Hands of Stone” puncher made his way to the boarding platform, the flashbulbs went off. Even in Vegas, Roberto Duran stands out. And again, it’s not everyday you have a boxing champ amongst the crowd of tourists waiting to enter the cabins that take you 550 feet in the air. It’s billed as the “World’s Largest Observation Wheel” and it was a blast! I got to ride in the same group as champ Jessie Vargas, former fighter, current trainer and 2014 Inductee Cornelius Boza Edwards and Jack Dempsey’s granddaughter, Valerie Leighton. Everyone enjoyed the sights of the glimmering lights and hotels below and it was a nice treat for the champs.
The next day it was time for the Induction Ceremony and Awards Banquet at the Trop where President Rich Marotta, Vice President Michelle Corrales-Lewis, emcees Rosie Perez and Barry Tompkins ushered in the Class of 2014.
Making his way toward the red carpet, I got an early glimpse of Duran with sons Victor and Roberto–the threesome were all carrying their country’s flag. The trio rounded the corner alone before the masses enveloped them. It was the last time I saw the champ NOT surrounded by a huge throng of people wanting to say hello to him. There were 720 attendees at this year’s dinner and you can imagine the whirlwind of activity always around the Panamanian champion.
A magnetic force years after he’s retired from the ring, the fighter once called “El Cholo” has been on a long journey before cementing his place among boxing immortals this past Saturday night. And he says he owes a lot of his success to the fans. During the NVBHOF events, I never saw him turn down anyone for a photo op or a handshake. Duran understands the strength of the fans who propelled him in securing his legacy. Roberto says he hopes today’s boxing stars follow suit.
“Be nice to your fans; be approachable,” he nodded during my chat with the champ. “We owe a lot to the fans!”
And during the dinner in the Cohiba Ballroom, the fans roared their approval as each new inductee was called up to receive their bronze statue (designed by boxing trainer/artist Steve Harpst). An exuberant Roberto Duran accepted his trophy with joy and enthusiasm thanking the NVBHOF, his family (both the Mexican side and his Panama relatives) and the fans for their longtime support. His ex-nemesis Sugar Ray Leonard was by his side to give him the trophy and also a miniature WBC belt. The two WBC champs have mended fences now, putting the past behind them. There was no one turning point in which they resolved their issues, but Duran said it was a gradual thing and the two are on friendly terms.
“In past years, Ray came up to me and we get along well now,” he said. “I support Ray’s charities too and we are fine.”
Duran is a favorite icon in the sport and a movie about his life will be coming out in 2015. He is a global superstar and favorite worldwide. Has he mellowed with age? The wild man persona has been left inside the ropes, but his colorful personality and sharp sense of humor remains.
In the U.S. and around the world, the 5’7″ devilish dynamo will always be remembered for his battles in the ring. And in Panama, he remains a beloved fixture. Roberto and his family has a restaurant and he told me often sings there with live salsa bands and entertains the crowd, happy to be with his family and his people. A true entertainer, a true champ.
A showman in the ring, a showman outside the ropes. And now Roberto Duran is a Nevada Boxing Hall of Famer.
Photos by Michele Chong
