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 had a heart problem and is still being treated, his family announced on Saturday.

Duran, who was a champion in four different weight divisions, “suffered a health complication due to an atrioventricular blockage,” his family said in a statement on Duran’s Instagram account.

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

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

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

Duran celebrates with trainer Ray Arcel in the locker room after the win over Ken Buchanan

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

Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran on the cover of Ring Magazine in October 1983

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

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

‘From now on I will exercise so that people will see me in shape when the (retirement) award arrives. I don’t want to look like Maradona, all fat,” Duran told El Panama America newspaper, referring to Argentine football star Diego Maradona.

Duran won the WBA lightweight title from Ken Buchanan in 1972, and his most famous win was over Sugar Ray Leonard in a welterweight championship fight in 1980.

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

From 1967 to 2001, Duran fought at least once a year, except for 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.