MIAMI -- A retired boxer says he was offered $30,000, the biggest purse of his career, to throw a fight to Roberto Duran when the legendary fighter was years past his prime.

Sanderline Williams said associates of Duran made the offer in a restaurant near Cleveland in the early 1990s, The Miami Herald reported in Friday's editions. The fight never took place.

Williams, a former super middleweight who fought for U.S. and North American titles, was once Duran's sparring partner.

Williams said he was told Duran had no knowledge of the proposed fix. He refused to identify the men who asked him to throw the fight.

"They just said, 'Don't win,' said Williams, 41. "They knew I had somewhat of a name, and they thought it would be good business if Roberto beat me."

Williams' allegation follows a Herald report in October that cited more than 30 fixed or fraudulent fights since 1988.

Duran, through his Miami attorney, Tony Gonzalez, said he had no recollection of a proposed fight with Williams.

"I know nothing about this, and I don't even know who this guy is," Duran said.

Williams' former manager, John Giachetti, said his fighter was offered $30,000 to meet Duran in the early 1990s, but the fight fell through. Giachetti said former Duran promoter Mike Acri proposed the fight but never asked Williams to throw it.