Duran and Monzon

Incidentally, as far as comparing opposition goes, i think Buchanan had the ideal style to fight at least even with Monzon had he been a middle.

Valdez would have been an interesting test for Duran also.

 

One of the knocks on Duran by his detractors (and I know you aren't one), is that he didn't fight a lot of great fighters at 135. This is the same knock, if you will notice, on any fighter who dominated a division for several years.
Something to consider is this: One reason it never looked like there were other great fighters in the division is that Duran (or whoever you might be talking about) was so dominant that no one else had the chance to look great, and great fighters in other divisions would not move into his division because they didn't believe they could beat him.
Consider too, that as soon as Duran left, the division was suddenly flooded with fighters like Arguello, Pryor, Camacho, Rosario, JC Chavez and Whitaker.
Coincidence? or the absence of the greatest lightweight of all time?

 

70s verison Duran,80s Monzon C.arlos was a terror, I have him top5 middles ALL-TIME!!!!! Monzon used his physical stature wisely, he had reach height, he was analytical, he never never went out of game plan. he had nice jab very collected could punch. gee whats missing was defense wizard never knocked down, knew when to turn aggressive, very very underated all- time I dont know why?

 

p4p Duran of course.

 

It's an interesting question. You don't usually associate somebody like Monzon (boxing's version of 'slow walking death') with pound-for-pound ratings because he lacked flash. While the smouldering Panamanian seized attention from the onset, Monzon's wicked presence gradually engaged you.

For opposition you'd have to give it to Carlos who clubbed a very healthy selection of fighters. For performances (on the whole) you'd probably have to give a slight edge to Roberto who played his role as the terror of the division as opposed to Monzon who was more the stubborn general.

Taking into account opposition and performances it is hard to fault the Argentinean. Benvenuti I, Griffith I, Briscoe II and Valdez II were vintage showings against different styles. Buchanan and De Jesus were quality scalps but overall there isn't as much meat there.

Picks for Duran are likely fuelled by a preference for his style.

 

You've got to base this on Lightweight Duran vs Monzon, think its pretty even, although can't remember Monzon screaming No Mas, then again can't remember Monzon going up 2/3 divisions. Duran started stronger, Monzon finished near invincible.

Tough debate think Duran nicks it....just

 

Duran had a tremendous ***** in his armor that Monzon did not have...and it was exploited by Leonard in the No Mas fight...a mental weakness...you could frustrate him and get him to quit. Duran was ruled too much by his emotions....and that was fine with guys who he could handle, but Benitez and Leonard showed how skill combined with a cool head could prevail. As stated, Monzon did not have this weakness, and if they met h2h, Duran would probably quit before being humiliated.

 

I don't think a H2H decision is a fair way to analysis who had a better set of skills. After all one is an ATG at 135 and one is an ATG at 160. I'd certainly give the edge to Monzon in a peak to peak fight between the two. But the fact that it's even a discussion tells you who the better p4p fighter is.

 

Good point

 

We never got to see Monzon in with fighters above his natural weight like we did with Duran though.

Benitez was at 154 and Duran did his best, just wasn't as good at that weight.Emotions had little to do with it in that case.

No defending the Leonard rematch though.I'm amazed that people still even try to be honest.

 

Pretty poor analysis, Duran's one time quiting was either out of sheer frustration that he was losing and been humiliated or because he was sick. Monzon wouldn't have the speed/defence to do the same

This too, where are Monzon's opponents that have 3-4inches height on him and are naturally stronger?

 

Yeah it was out of Rays childish antics. it was basically beneath him and for a man of durans honor it was humiliating that he couldn't just take Leonards head off for it.
Duran was the more alpha male between the two though All his spitting and namecalling stuff in all the prefight is awesome