I Am Durán

My Autobiography

By: Roberto Durán

Narrated by: Henry Levya

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 21, 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.

©2016 Roberto Durán (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"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)

Beautiful

I feels as though Duran is literally telling you his story start to finish.

El Cholo will live forever!

This is one of the most captivating, hilarious and elucidating books I've ever read. Duran's inimitable recollection of his legendary pugilistic career and equally trying life is gripping from hustling in the slums of El Chorillo to his decimation of the lightweight division to his legendary defeat of Sugar Ray to his infamous resignation in the 8th round of their rematch to the many ups and downs that followed. As he says in his forward he lead his life exactly as he wished and makes no apologies whatsoever. It's no surprise therefore that he recounts making the same mistakes over and over again: spending his money on parties, getting fat, having to lose weight on short notice and suffering for it, and the cycles repeats over and over again. Yet I cannot shake my admiration for a man who stuck to his principles and never second guessed himself despite suffering humiliation both in defeat and in media scorn. He is the Don Quixote of the past century, with punches like Rocinante's kicks but without the gentlemanly smarm.

Great Story if the Golden age

I can see the fights (and parties) play out in my Mind. I really enjoyed this book, as well as the narration.

Great Read

I loved this book which tells the Duran story in his own words. Great Book and great performance as well

Bravo

Just simply amazing! This is a book you won’t want to pass on. Cheers from Chicago !

What a life!!

For someone that grew up during the 4 Kings Era, it was amazing to hear the story of Manos De Piedra's meteoric rise in boxing!! DURAN DURAN DURAN!!

Manos De Piedra!!?

My respect for Duran is immense. His acolytes in the ring speak for themselves, greatest lightweight ever, 4 division world champion, and the only man to beat Sugar Ray in his prime. Yet under his ferocious and savage persona as a fighter is a man of phenomenal character and heart. This incredible story of Duran shows the side of him which most have never known, certainly not the poor souls who encountered him in the ring in his prime! This will make you laugh and cry, a phenomenal story of a phenomenal man. Manos De Piedra!!!

Raw, funny, and real!

Excellent story. Duran was always one of my favorite fighters. This man is easily one of the top 5 greatest fighters of all time. In his own words, you will understand his life and mentality. Stoic gangster with a big heart and he's not afraid to be himself. Never had a fake image, and this book reflects the legend of Manos De Piedra!

Duran is the man

Duran was always a mystery to me. This book clears it all up. I now understand that he was just a crazy MF with a determination and will for life that is unmatched in the history of boxing. He lived his life to the fullest and from the streets of Panama became the “King.” His boxing record is amazing and would’ve been even better if not for his wild ways outside the ring.

If you like excuses

If you like excuses then this is the book for you. I was really looking forward to seeing another side of Duran, but all I got was the same ol’ “no mas” Duran. He has an excuse for every fight he lost. Never once because the guys that beat him were better than him. I was hoping he might give honest appraisals of the boxers he’s fought, nope, just excuse after excuse.