The guy in this next movie may want to moisturize, because apparently he has hands of stone. Sounds painful! And he’s already tried wearing gloves! “Hands of Stone” is based on the real life of boxer Roberto Durán. The star was in Miami today where he talked to our real life Deco reporter Chris Van Vliet.
You know you’ve lived a heck of a life when they want to make a movie about you. Roberto Durán is considered one of the best boxers of all time — and today was a special day for him in Miami.
The champ is here! Boxing legend Roberto Durán honored with the City of Miami declaring August 18th as “Roberto Duran Day.” Joining him for the celebration is Édgar Ramírez, who plays Durán in the upcoming movie about his life called “Hands of Stone.”
Édgar Ramírez: “This is a story of a guy who rose from nothing, had it all, lost it all and then got back up and got it all again. So basically it’s a metaphor of life.”
Robert De Niro (as Ray Arcel): “Slow down and go … You kinda no comprende.”
The movie focuses on Roberto Durán’s relationship with his trainer, played by Robert De Niro, who of course won an Oscar in 1981 for the boxing classic, “Raging Bull.”
Chris Van Vliet: “Robert De Niro knows a thing or two about movie boxing. His character instructs yours in the film, did you get any movie boxing advice from him?”
Édgar Ramírez: “Well, imagine Robert, having ‘Raging Bull’ on my side, in my corner. How much more lucky can I get?”
Usher Raymond (as Sugar Ray Leonard): “Duran should fight no one but me. I don’t lose.”
Roberto Durán fought a total of 119 fights, but none were more memorable than his battles with Sugar Ray Leonard. Usher plays an absolute spitting image of him in the movie.
Robert De Niro (as Ray Arcel): “He’s running in circles around you. Fight!”
Chris Van Vliet: “When you’re in the ring with Usher, how close are you coming? Are there any accidents where you’re like, ‘Oops?'”
Édgar Ramírez: “That’s why you have to train so hard when you do a boxing film, or whatever film that requires physical preparation, because it’s part of the safety. Usher and I trained for over a year for these characters. So yeah, of course one punch goes here or there.”
Chris Van Vliet: “So you’re telling me you punched Usher at one point.”
Édgar Ramírez: “And he punched me. I mean, you know, we beat each other a little bit sometimes.”
“Hands of Stone” hits theaters on August 26th — and here’s perhaps the most interesting fact about Roberto Durán — sure he won a bunch of titles in a bunch of different weight classes, but he also boxed until he was 50!
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