Released in 2016 and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz, Hands of Stone is a gripping biographical sports drama chronicling the life of Panamanian boxing legend Roberto Durán, one of the fiercest fighters the world has ever known. Known for his aggression in the ring and explosive personality outside it, Durán's story is not just about boxing—but about pride, passion, and personal identity.
The film stars Édgar Ramírez as Roberto Durán in a career-defining performance, capturing both the brute force and inner torment of the fighter. Opposite him, Robert De Niro plays Ray Arcel, the legendary boxing trainer who helped shape Durán’s career after the latter had already become a rising star. Their dynamic—part mentorship, part father-son conflict—becomes the film’s emotional backbone.
Hands of Stone follows Durán from his rough beginnings in Panama to his rise through the boxing ranks, culminating in his infamous rivalry with American boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard (played by Usher Raymond IV). The film brilliantly captures their two iconic fights: Durán’s victory in the first, and his shocking surrender in the second—the infamous “No Más” fight of 1980, where Durán suddenly quit mid-match.
The cinematography is raw and fast-paced, especially during the fight scenes, which avoid stylized slow-motion in favor of chaotic realism. Durán's life outside the ring is just as chaotic—filled with political anger, national pride, and the burden of being a working-class hero in a country deeply affected by U.S. interference.
Though Hands of Stone touches on themes of legacy, redemption, and patriotism, some critics felt the film tried to do too much, rushing through key emotional beats. Still, it's a passionate tribute to one of boxing's most complicated and magnetic figures.
While Hands of Stone ends with a note of personal reconciliation after Durán’s career decline, a sequel could explore his remarkable late-career resurgence—a lesser-known chapter worth celebrating.
In Hands of Stone 2: The Comeback Years, we follow Durán in the 1980s and 90s as he rebuilds his career and reputation. After being mocked for the “No Más” scandal, Durán fights back—literally. He climbs through the ranks again, reclaiming titles in multiple weight divisions, fighting into his late 40s. The sequel would be about aging in a young man’s sport, and the mental and physical cost of refusing to fade away.
The film could also explore the lasting bond between Durán and Arcel, as well as his deepening relationship with his family and his country. It would offer a richer, more reflective portrait of a man determined to finish his story on his own terms.
Hands of Stone is more than just a boxing movie—it’s a story of a man shaped by his fists, his failures, and his fire. Though not without flaws, it delivers a powerful punch of history and heart. With a sequel diving deeper into Durán's later years, audiences could witness a full-circle story of one of boxing’s most unforgettable legends.
