Duran: Uno mas for Pacquiao against Bradley

Top Rank honcho Bob Arum and legendary boxer Roberto Duran. Photo by Roy Luarca/INQUIRER

LAS VEGAS–The moment Roberto Duran stepped into Wolfgang Puck’s fine dining restaurant Thursday night, he commanded attention.

Clad in white T-shirt emblazoned with his name and wearing a baseball cap, the 5-foot-7 Duran at 64 still cuts an imposing presence even outside his country of Panama.

Not because he has ballooned to 180 pounds, but because of his reputation as one of the greatest fighters of all-time. He sowed fear and terror in the ring with his brawling style that made him a four-division world champion.

Contrary to reputation, however, Duran, who was invited by Top Rank honcho Bob Arum, turned out to be funny and accommodating, obliging requests for autographs, photos and selfies.

Duran, popularly known as Hands of Stone, even granted interviews during the dinner hosted by Top Rank, answering english questions through the help of daughter Richelle. A movie about his life is also one of the sponsors of Pacquiao-Bradley III.

Duran is best remembered for his rivalry with Sugar Ray Leonard, especially the infamous No Mas Fight, Leonard-Duran II, where the Latino legend turned away from Leonard at the end of the eighth round and faced the referee uttering the words “no mas” (no more).

Duran said he feels Manny Pacquiao has the edge over Timothy Bradley Jr. because of the Filipino’s vast edge in experience (21 years) over Bradley.

Duran even offered Bradley some advice.

“He needs to box Bradley, not to try to knock him out,” said Duran. “Because Bradley’s gonna try to counter to knock him out. That’s why he needs his boxing.”

Asked whether prime Pacquiao could beat a prime Duran, the legendary fighter displayed his bulging muscles before answering:

“The Stone. Don’t worry for me.”