Status: Boxing Hall of Famer. Four-time world champion.
Ht: 5-7 Wt: 200
DOB: June 16, 1952 In: Guarare, Panama
Childhood Hero: “Muhammad Ali.”
Childhood Dream: “Always wanted to be a fighter.”
Favorite Movies: “John Wayne movies. Arnold Schwarzeneggar movies. Terror movies. Halloween. Jerry
Lewis and Charlie Chaplin movies – my favorite comedians.”
First Job: “Painting – to help godfather in Panama City (age 10.”
First Car: “1968 green VW.”
Early Boxing Memory: “Watching (Ismael) Laguna fight. I was 13. I liked his style, he had a great left hand.”
Hobbies/Interests: “Salsa music, play softball, jet ski, play pool.”
Nicknames: “Manos de Piedra, Robert.”
Pre-Fight Feeling: “Destruction.”
Pre-Fight Meal: “Steak, fish, tomato juice.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”
Favorite Fights: “Eusebio Pedroza-Orlando Omares, Holmes-Shavers II.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “First world championship (d. Buchanan). When I won. And when I fought Ernest Marcel in Panama in Panama City (TKO 10). He was a good fighter and it was a big win. That’s the fight that opened the door to the championship.”
Most Painful Moment: “When I lost the second time with Leonard.”
Funny Boxing Memory: “After I won the championship from Buchanan, I wanted to eat every kind of ice cream, every flavor, every color. And after that, I did champagne. And after that, I had diarrhea. I went to the bathroom a hundred times that night [laughter].”
Which Fights Were You At Your Best: “Two fights. Buchanan – I wanted to be world champ. Barkley – everyone thought I wasn’t no good, that I was already done.”
Toughest Opponent: “Barkley, Hagler.”
Favorite Boxers To Watch: “All of them. I love boxing and for me all of them are good.”
Favorite Athletes To Watch Outside Boxing: “Pete Rose – for his love of the sport and his fury. Michael Jordan. Magic Johnson.”
Hardest Punchers: “Hearns – who knocked me out. Barkley.”
Funniest Boxer Encountered: “Greg Haugen – good humor.”
Closest Boxing Friends: “Carlos Murillo, Ismael Laguna, Ernesto Marcel, Jorge Lujan, Victor Del Corral – Victor’s Cafe in New York.”
Family: Wife, Fula; sons, Roberto Jr., Roberto III, Victorio; daughters, Jovanna dell Carmen, Irichelle del Carmen.