Roberto Duran Health Update: Boxing Great’s Wife La Fula Confirms 72 Year-Old Is ’Calm and Stable ‘ in Hospital

Millions of fans can heave a sigh of relief. For a fresh update, an up-and-close family member confirmed that the condition of boxing great Roberto Duran has become a bit more stable. The 72-year-old former four-division world champion was hospitalized due to complications from an atrioventricular blockade.

Roberto Duran remains the second-only boxer in the sport’s history to have remained active for close to five decades. He last fought Hector Camacho on July 14, 2001. Along with Marvelous Marvin Hagler, ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, and Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns, Duran formed a quartet. Collectively, they were called the ‘Four Kings of Boxing’ and dazzled the ring in the post-Muhammad Ali era. A large pose of fans eagerly anticipated any news concerning the Panamanian great.

Roberto Duran: An Update on ‘The Hands of Stone’

A tweet from Juan Carlos Tapia yesterday evening revealed that he had a word with Roberto Duran’s wife, Felicidad ‘Fula’ Iglesias. She updated that Roberto Duran is ‘calm’ and ‘stable’ in the hospital. Additionally, hospital authorities may consider implanting a pacemaker for him. “I just spoke with Roberto Duran’s wife, La Fula, and she told me that Roberto is calm in the hospital and they will give him a pacemaker. He is calm and stable.” Read the Google translation of the Panama-based businessman and boxing commentator’s message.

Then he further mentioned that physicians had reportedly recommended restrictions on his travel. Hence Roberto Duran had to cancel a few engagements in Chicago. Juan Carlos Tapia expressed hopes for the former world champion’s speedy recovery and return to normalcy. He said, “He had to cancel commitments in Chicago, and for the moment, the doctors recommend that he not travel. Let’s hope that everything goes back to normal and that Roberto fully recovers.”

Surely the news story would have lifted many spirits. “Great to have good news from our all-time champion! Up Roberto! Faith and strength that you have never lacked!‘ said one of the users. Another added, “Speedy recovery to a Boxing leader, and from now on: Despacito.”

Yesterday, through his Instagram handle, the family released a statement. It read, “The Durán family reports that our champion suffered a health complication due to a Complete Auriculoventricular ‘Complete AV Blockage’. We are waiting for results so we can share more information about your health later. Thanks to our family, friends, and all his supporters, keep him in your prayers.”

While hoping that he recovers at the earliest, many notable names joined in expressing concerns over his health.

Sending Strength: Voices of Hope Join

Mauricio Sulaiman tweeted, “Legendary champion one of the best ever Roberto Manos de Piedra Durán is in the hospital in Panama with a heart condition. His family is joined by the world in prayers for his successful and prompt recovery; he is a Champion and will win this fight.”

In his special message to Duran, Tyson Fury said, “Roberto, get well soon, buddy. All the best, thinking of you, love you. God bless. Peace out.”

Born on June 16, 1951, Roberto Duran became a professional boxer at age 16. Beginning at super featherweight, the next five decades saw him scale through divisions and fight up to the super middleweight divisions. Known for his brawling style of fighting, in 2002, the Ring magazine named Roberto Duran the fifth greatest boxer of all time during the last eighty years. After the 2006 World Boxing Hall of Fame induction, the legend joined the ranks of the International Boxing Hall of Fame the following year.

Read More: “What More Can I Say?”: While Calling Floyd Mayweather “Weak,” Boxing Legend Roberto Duran Details How Fight With Julio Cesar Chavez Sr and the Former 5X World Champion Would’ve Been

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Also Read: “Damn”: Fans Stunned After Boxing Legend Roberto Duran’s Son Gets Brutally Knocked Out in Front of His Father at Fury vs. Ngannou Undercard