The great Roberto Duran is a retired professional Panamanian fighter. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all-time. During his career he would be called in admiration, " Manos de Piedra" which translates to "Hands of Stone".
He retired in January 2002, at age 50, (having previously retired in 1998) following a bad car crash in October 2001. He finished his career with a professional record of 119 fights, 103 wins with 70 knock outs. Now we have the great exciting sport of mixed martial arts, and even though I am a former Amateur boxer and heavyweight sparring partner, I have all but turned my back on the once great sport of boxing.
"Hands of stone" now belongs to a tough young Mixed Martial Arts prospect from the TKO /ORG in Canada. He also fights in the UFC with a record of 2-2 in the UFC.
I used to like to study all the old time greats like Jack Johnson, Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey. They would be rolling over in their graves if they could see the state of today's boxing situation. All is not lost though. MMA, wrestling promoters and boxing promoters are all starting work together and the future looks promising.
Another reason the future looks promising for mixed martial arts is fighters like Sam Stout, Palhares and Alves. First thing I'd like to say about these three fighters is they have another thing in common besides being outstanding fighters.They had to get their break in the fight game the old fashioned way (they earned it). No TUF contestants here thank you.
Stout made his UFC debut at lightweight at the CANADA VS USA UFC event. Although Stout was originally scheduled to face Ken Flo at UFC 58, Florian withdrew from the fight due to a back injury.
Spencer fisher stepped up to take his place! Stout and Fisher fought a three-round war at UFC 58. Stout showed his courage and toughness in this bout and he won the split decision. Sam's ability to absorb tremendous punishment and still keep coming forward to throw his own barrage makes him one of the toughest young prospects in the business.
Recently Stout lost to Rich Clementi but had a stong performance. The 23 year old Stout is as tough as nails, with the heart of a lion. Time after time in fight after fight, Sam shows his iron jaw and tremendous heart. The judge's scores were 29-27 Clementi, 29-28 Stout, and 29-28 Clementi. Clementi had a strong first round but Stout out-struck him in the second and third rounds. A very close fight!!
Stouts record is 13-4-1 so the new kid in town, who has borrowed the nickname from the great Roberto Duran, looks like he just might be able to live up to the great Duran's moniker after all.
Stout's next fight will be against Terry Etim at UFC 89.
6 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Dorothy Willis 8 months ago
Although Terry Etim is much taller, I am pulling for Sam to win. I ahve his aurograph from a couple of years ago and have tried to keep up with his career, but it has been hard to do. He is another on my Favorite Canadian Fighters" and a friend on Facebook. Loved your article and feel much like you do.
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Swizzie 8 months ago
He needs to develop a ground-game ASAP. Other than that he is a good fighter.
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Stoker Mac 8 months ago
THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS .especially dee..im praying for you to get well!!!(Swizzie ..yes very true about his ground game ..but he is 23 and at that age he has plenty of time to grow..if he hangs in there!!
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Doc' Simpson-Davis 8 months ago
Stoker,
Man you and I are on the same page; especially in our admiration for Roberto Duran aka" Manos de Piedras!
New Mexico is the home of another great fighter a young man I got to know quite well as a Bail Bondsman oddly enough. And that is Johnny Tapia, speed demon punching little beast, unfortunately his biggest downfall was his penchant for 'Crack Cocaine' his wife was his manager and biggest fan, however Johnny Boy was unable to accept his all of his many demons from the past like the murder of his Mother and Father, his Grandparents raised him but when it came time for retirement, he just wouldn't let go and therefore lost his hard won Bantamweight crown to a Texan, who I felt was never the fighter Johnny was. With more than 46 fights against some of the best fighters he still remains one of myself and wife's favorite all time great fighters it seems to me about the time Johhny was having so much trouble outside of the ring Boxing was on a downturn, and UFC, MMA fights of all organizations plowed their still fallow ground to the Fertittas, ala Dana White and became a fast growing sensational sports genre.
And as far as Sam "Hands of Stone" Stout goes, in my humble opinion he can be the man to win the title, IF he as you put it hangs in there, personally I pray that he does.
Thanks for a very succinct article you got my attention with your extensive Fighter's knowledge, most young men have absolutely no idea who Roberto Duran is much less what his record is, nor for that matter who Johnny Tapia is and was!!
In Freedom and Liberty,
DocNBear
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Stoker Mac 8 months ago
Thank you sir/for your great comments..(DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ARE LIKE THE WEATHER AND THE OCEAN; IF YOU DO NOT RESPECT THIER POWER ,THEY WILL TAKE YOUR LIFE...AMEN
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Doc' Simpson-Davis 8 months ago
Stoker,
I just remembered the fighter's name that Johnny Tapia lost to in what all New Mexican fight fans called a rip-off just to get Johnny's Bantam weight IBF crown! That Texan's name was also (Johnny) Gonzales out of Ft. Worth, TX!
If I were not so busy trying to sell my Bail Bondsman's Bail Book and business I would be writing articles, Oh, and thanks so much for the encouragement, you are a Gentleman and a Scholar and I am serious.
I did get corrected for my lack of punctuation in a comment I last made over in "Thiago Alves Contender or Pretender", that you authored, recently.
Have a good weekend my Friend.
In Freedom and Liberty,
DocNBear
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