• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

‘I am Durán’ Allows Director to Explore Duality of Sports, Politics in Film

I am Durán
I am Durán

Roberto Durán will forever be known as a fighter – both in the boxing ring and on behalf of the people of Panama.

It’s that story of an imperfect hero and his home country that drew British Sports documentarian Mat Hodgson to the legendary boxer, resulting in a new documentary that chronicles Duran’s career.

“I wanted something political, and this struck this duality of nation and sporting play,” said Hodgson, who spent four years working on the film.

READ MORE: Documentary Tells Icelandic Gender Equality Story Through Snowboarding

The resulting movie, “I am Durán” will be released on June 4, distributed for digital download through Universal Pictures.

Hodgson was drawn to the story of Panamanian Durán, whose rise to fame and rollercoaster story parallels that of Panama’s political struggles.

Durán spent five decades boxing, with periods of success and defeat both in the ring and in life in politically unstable Panama. He held world lightweight, welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight and super middleweight titles during his career that spanned from 1968 to 2001, fighting to a 103-16 career record. He’s a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame and International Boxing Hall of Fame, and was voted best lightweight boxer of the 20th century by the Associated Press.

“We went to research, lots of interviews rather than books, and got on the streets and they all corroborated the idea with this hero, they needed a hero in these dark years,” Hodgson said.

The documentary features a star-studded cast of interviews, including Durán, Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Don King and Sugar Ray Leonard. The lengthy production schedule helped in gathering some of the interviews, but there was an added weight to the story.

“It speaks to the pull of Roberto Durán,” Hodgson said. “Picking up the phone, it felt like we’d get a little further.”

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

The documentary also features the last filmed interview with former dictator Manuel Noriega, who is built into a “haunting character” before his interview is revealed during the movie. Noriega died in May 2017 after serving nearly three decades in prison.

“It gives credibility on the political side aside from sports,” Hodgson said. “He was a world-renowned dictator and that was real spooky to be face-to-face with him.”

As the film has premiered, Hodgson is happy with the way it has been received, especially in Panama, where he was worried he might not do the story justice.

“I didn’t want to mess up their story, it’s a very complex story, no black and white, it’s muddled,” he said.

With new media platforms emerging regularly and thousands of pieces of content, there’s nearly endless competition for consumer attention. While there is space for puff pieces and base observational documentaries, Hodgson said he prefers to look toward stories with duality like Durán’s.

READ MORE: How Access Has Changed The Conversation Around Digital Storytelling

“There are a lot of sports documentaries out and that’s great and shows there’s an appetite and audience,” Hodgson said. “Consumers are probably getting spoiled right now. The standard has been raised, both in observational and rear-facing content.

As Hodgson works through the release of “I am Durán” and moves on to his next projects, he hopes he can continue to find a good intersection of sport and culture to ensure at least some people find his work interesting. He’s currently working on principal photography on a film about Manchester United legend Eric Cantona.  

“You don’t need to be gimmicky,” he said. “You find your storytelling tone and you apply that to the work.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Netflix Boxing Ratings Spark New Fight Over Streaming Metrics

The streamer used a non-accredited process to measure the boxing match.
Donald Trump
exclusive

Trump’s Unprecedented Super Bowl Visit Cost Secret Service More Than $120K

Trump was the first president to attend the Super Bowl.
Sep 6, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; Brad Tavares (red gloves) fights Robert Bryczek (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena.

TKO President Mark Shapiro Pops Talk of Valuation Bubble, Defends UFC Deal

“Sports is the last bastion of unifying content in this world.”
Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back AK Dear (0) tries to outrun Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) during the second half at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Despite Vote Delay, SCORE Act Negotiations Continue on Capitol Hill

Political ad campaigns during college football Saturdays continue as well.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Fever Ratings Fall Without Clark, but Rest of WNBA Game 1s Surge

The Indiana Fever game drew 47% fewer viewers this year.
exclusive
September 16, 2025

ESPN, Fox One Added 1M Sign-Ups in First 10 Days After Launch

The two high-profile streaming services have strong starts with consumers.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 16, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Greg Olsen
September 16, 2025

Greg Olsen on Tom Brady’s Raiders Role: ‘More Power to Him’

This season, the NFL has relaxed the special Brady broadcasting rules.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.
September 15, 2025

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.
September 15, 2025

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.
Las Vegas Aces
September 15, 2025

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.