DALLAS, TX.- The Hall of Fame boxer Roberto Duran is widely considered one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in history, but his most famous association was his shocking surrender to fellow ring legend Sugar Ray Leonard in a November 25, 1980 rematch at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. The distinctive white velour trunks Duran wore to ignominious defeat that evening will sell in an online auction on Saturday, August 27, in
Heritage Auctions Sports Collectibles Platinum Auction.
After defeating Leonard in their first meeting in Montreal five months earlier, Duran entered the ring in New Orleans overconfident and out of shape, enduring nearly eight rounds of punishment at the gloved hands of the challenger before waving his hand and speaking the famous words of capitulation to referee Octavio Meyran. Leonard would be declared WBC Welterweight Champion with a technical knockout at 2:44 of round eight.
"It's one of the most important articles of boxing memorabilia we've offered," said Chris Ivy, Director of Heritage Sports Collectibles. "With Muhammad Ali trunks commonly selling for strong six-figure prices, we believe our $60,000+ estimate for these Duran trunks is conservative, particularly in light of the resurgence in public interest the forthcoming Robert De Niro film will inspire."
Interested bidders are encouraged to contact Heritage Auctions immediately to qualify for bidding.