Duran's daughter set to don gloves

Panama City - The daughter of four-time world boxing champ Roberto Duran hopes to follow her father's footsteps in to the ring.

Irichell Duran, 23, wants to be "big in boxing" like her father, local media reported. She intends to make her debut in May.

The elder Duran, however, worries that boxing would be "hard for his daughter", according to the young woman's mother, Felicidad Iglesias.

"Duran is insisting on stopping the debut of Irichell," the mother told the daily Critica Libre newspaper on Monday. "He won't leave her alone."

Irichell Duran, who weighs 53kg, declined to talk about her father's objections.

"I want to be a big boxer like my father was and I'm sure that with a bit of effort and dedication I will be recognised as he was," she said.

The daughters of boxing greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier also have declared passions for the sport.

Laila Ali has gone 3-0 since making her debut in October. Lyde Frazier is training to become a professional fighter.

- Sapa-AP