Roberto Duran, 72, is receiving medical care following heart issue, family reveals as boxing legend awaits more test results in his native Panama

Boxing great Roberto Duran has suffered a heart problem and continues to receive treatment, his family revealed on Saturday.

Duran, who was a four-weight champion, ‘suffered a health complication due to an atrioventricular block,’ his family said in a statement on Duran’s Instagram account.

“We are awaiting results so we can provide more information about his health,” the statement continued. ‘We thank our relatives, friends and all his supporters who are praying for him.’

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said in a social media post that the 72-year-old Duran was being treated at a hospital in his native Panama.

“His family joins the world in prayers for his successful and speedy recovery, he is a champion and will win this fight,” Sulaiman said in the post on X.

There has been an outpouring of support on social media, both in English and Spanish.

“Que mejore el gran Manos de Piedra Durán,” one fan wrote on X, referring to Duran by his nickname, “Hands of Stone.”

Duran retired in 2002 after a car accident in Argentina at the age of 50.

The four-time world champion suffered broken ribs, a collapsed lung and other injuries in the crash.

Duran told the paper he wanted to promote boxing matches and planned to appear in a proposed film about his life. He has also worked as a singer.

“Currently, I train so that when the (retirement) honors come, people will see me in shape. I don’t want to (look) like Maradona did, all cool,’ Duran told El Panama America newspaper, referring to Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona.

Duran won Ken Buchanan’s WBA lightweight title in 1972, and his most famous victory was over Sugar Ray Leonard in a welterweight championship bout in 1980.

In a rematch against Leonard, Duran stopped before the eighth round and said, “No mas.” He later won two other titles.

From 1967-01, Duran fought at least once every year except 1985. His career record was 104-16.

In Duran’s last fight, he lost by unanimous decision to 39-year-old Hector Camacho in July 2001.