‘Hands of Stone’ is quite the fitting nickname for the iconic Roberto Duran — especially off the back of one of his most savage knockout wins.
Six fights deep into his run as the WBA and The Ring lightweight champion, Roberto Duran had made a name for himself as one of the most ferocious finishers at the weight class, turning in countless knockout wins during his initial rise.
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And during one of those particular defenses of his lightweight crown, Duran delieved in a devastating knockout win over a distinct challenger in a trip to his native Panama.
Roberto Duran’s brutal knockout of Ray Lampkin
Boasting a stunning 48-1 professional record at the time of his seventh lightweight title defense against Ray Lampkin back in 1975, Duran had only come unstuck against Esteban de Jesus — a loss he would later avenge in his fifth outing as lightweight champion.
And sharing that card in his home country with Puerto Rican star Wilfredo Gomez, Duran stole the show with a hellacious penultimate round knockout win.
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Forced to the fourteenth round for the first time in his professional career, Duran finally broke through with a devastating left hook to Lampkin’s chin.
And flattening him with the shot, Duran watched on as Lampkin was sent reeling to the canvas — flat on his back.
Scoring a KO win, Duran’s shot sent Lampkin unconscious for a worrying 80 minutes, with efforts made to revive the American challenger through the use of oxygen backstage.
Roberto Duran’s brutal plan to “kill” Ray Lampkin
Seemingly not satisfied with his win over Lampkin, as well as the 80 minutes in which he left the former unconscious, Duran infamously vowed to “kill” the Oregon challenger if they shared the ring in the future again.
After the bout, Duran would drop one of the most ferocious quotes in the sport’s history — even taking aim at his own performance against Portland challenger.
“I was not in my best condition. Today I sent him to the hospital,” Duran said after his win over Lampkin. “Next time, I’ll put him in the morgue.”
Going on to form the Four Kings in the 1980s alongside his stablemates Sugar Ray Leonard, as well as Thomas Hearns and the late Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Duran enjoyed more success in that era.
A four-division champion during his illustrious career, Panamanian striker Duran would rack up a total of 70 separate knockout wins in his memorable run.