Yes, Duran, who was born into poverty in Guarare, Panama, has a heck of a long list of fighting attributes alongside him. An absolute God in Panama to this day, and no doubt beyond, Duran went from stealing apples from an orchard to dining on the finest fillet-minion steak. And he did it with his bare hands and his uncommon boxing skill and brains.

The term ‘born to fight’ is yet another one that could so easily be handed Duran’s way. And perhaps the greatest thing, the most celebratory thing, is the fact that Duran is in superb shape today, both mentally and physically. Duran fought way longer than he should have done, yet he is not paying the Godawful price too many fighters to mention have done and are doing as a result of remaining in the ring too long.

Duran is here and he can recall all his great nights, all his bad nights. Duran is a prime example of how utterly essential it is for a fighter to have a savvy defence, to be able to slip, slide, to make a punch miss. And Duran, who had 119 pro fights, was stopped just four times, with two of these inside the distance losses coming via voluntary retirement on his part – the infamous “No Mas” fight still a thing of mystery.

Duran never shipped heavy punishment, he never got truly beaten up in any fight, and even at the end, when he was nothing like the fighter he had once been, Duran was still sharp, clever and adept at making the other guy miss.

Duran is one of a kind, and we all wish him nothing but a grand 75th birthday, and we hope that many more are to come.

Duran fought the best, and he beat the best.

In his prime, “Manos de Piedra” really was the ultimate fighter/boxer/ master of the ring.