On what basis ? Benny Leonard for SEVEN years was king of the lightweights. He was considered every bit as good a lightweight as Ray Robinson was considered as a welterweight, by those who saw both men fight. He dominated for seven years great fighters, such as Johnny Kilbane, Freddie Welch,Johnny Dundee, Charley White, Lew Tendler,Richie Mitchell, Joe Welling, Ever Hammer,the tough Rocky Kansas,etc. All great lightweights of that time. He could box, punch, and had great ring intelligence. In short Benny Leonard had everything a boxer needed, that is why he and Joe Gans,are rated the 2 top lightweights. I admire Roberto Duran, but he did not beat the same overall class of lightweights in his time. I would pick Ike Williams [uncuffed] over Duran H2H. Ike was the best lightweight I have ever seen ringside, but his career was screwed up because he was punished by the boxing guild of the time,with mob ties . But at his best, was tremendous as a lightweight...Cheers...
He's been ranked top five, all time, any weight on the forum. But yeah, these things are in the eye of the beholder, depends upon what thread you are reading.
GREAT list! I have Duran 1 and Leonard 2, but salute you for having the man chosen by almost all of the first 50 years of the century years as not only the lightweight pd. pd but every division pound for pound. good job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbsup I would take out chavez and put in Arguello and find if possible, room for The Great Fargo Express, Billy Petrolle.
Me too. Or I think he would likely do best against the wider field. It's likely Whitaker wouldn't be far behind him though, and it might even take their fight to seperate them.
i've never liked duran in that fight. i think duran beats more all time greats than whitaker does but style wise, i just see hands of stone at a disadvantage against pea
I'll pick Packey to beat Duran at either lw or ww. Gans and Leonard it could be argued that Duran crowds them enough to win a decision, but I don't see what he has over McFarland.
That would be a tough one, I agree. Packey had that iron chin to go along with his boxing skills, which were considerable. Roberto definitely has ferocity over McFarland and he would be pressuring him from start to finish. I'm not sure how Packey would fend him off. Interesting to ponder....
I disagree, though I have no problem with anyone ranking him there. Both Gans and Leonard beat better competition at 135.
To be honest i'd expect most of the top level movers/boxers to best Duran or at least be even; McFarland, Leonard, Whitaker, Ross, Canzoneri etc. And I think Ortiz, Ambers, Mandell, Angott types to at least give a great account of themselves.
Packey would be fighting back as actively as Duran, he wouldn't be playing safe or counter-punching here. If he feels he's losing it, he would turn up the pace to match Duran's ferocity and start punching hard. His punch output was very high as compared to Gans' or Leonard's, so I don't think Duran would be outworking him to a decision just by throwing or landing more punches.
1. Roberto Duran 2. Benny Leonard 3. Pernell Whitaker 4. Joe Gans 5. Henry Armstrong 6. Barney Ross 7. Tony Canzoneri 8. Carlos Ortiz 9. Ike Williams 10. Lou Ambers