The Brawl in Montreal - who would defeat Duran on that night?

Jose Mantequilla Napoles, especially the '69 version of him, would have beaten Duran that night.

 

Do you feel Monzon and Napoles are unjustly overlooked by some for the 1970s because of Duran's character and cagey ferocity? :hey

 

big shocker there!

 

I disagree with every word here especially the contractions which should have been two words in most cases.

 

I agree what you say about Duran and Leonard. Leonard was the one who showed that using speed and sticking to a gameplan against Duran is the best way to fight him. Don't fight his fight. The irony is the first fight changed Ray and he learned, which is why I say the second fight Leonard would easily beat Duran anytime

 

Duran of Montreal would've still beaten a backpedaling Ray, in my opinion. Sugar implemented a far wiser strategy on their second go, but external factors had gotten to Roberto by then.

 

I don't see that. Duran had fast hands and if a guy was in range Duran could land. He even landed a little on Tommy Hearns when Tommy started to mix it up with him in round one, and a little in round 2 when Tommy had Duran against the ropes. Duran landed a nice right hand. But Duran's feet were a wide apart, and a guy who moved could make Duran one step behind. Rays foot movement always gives Roberto trouble.

 

I concede that, historically, foot movement did give him the most trouble. Quick feet generally reduces the action to sporadic clashes, thereby allowing an educated puncher to pick his spots with an incoming opponent. However, Duran was not only quick himself, but also measured in his approach; I doubt very much that he'd fall for such a strategy. In fact, the whole of it strikes me less as a brilliant ploy than a rather well-timed one. Had the Panamanian entered physically at a 100%, I see Leonard eventually being drawn to a similar brawl, as seen in their earlier encounter.

 

Yes. Duran was a fiery, exciting personality, and more colorful, to add to his being a great fighter, but I honestly think Monzon and Napoles were even better. Both would have beaten Duran at their respective best weights.

 

Also, perhaps more importantly, Duran lingered on the world stage longer picking up some wins, quite a few losses but more significantly exposure. Although their title reigns overlapped to a large degree, Duran was much the youngest and so was able to hang on for the Vegas years of boxing.

 

This is all true LittleRed,...this is what I meant to say..

 

Look, I'm not saying Duran wasn't great... I'm just saying that Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, and even Benitez were better IMO. Some of you act like he had an easy night vs. Leonard in their first fight, and that's a lie.

Duran fought the best fight of his career and won a close fight vs. a very good Leonard. I feel that Leonard was better in other fights and that Leonard would have beaten the so called unbeatable "Montreal Duran".

Just my opinion, don't get all shook up over it because you think I disrespected your hero.

I remember Duran struggling vs. Buchanan (resorting to very rough tactics) before stopping him in the 13th.

I remember him getting dropped twice (in 2 seperate fights) and struggling vs. DeJesus in their 3 fights... losing to him once.

He beat Leonard by close decision in 1980 then lost to him 5 months later, LTKOby8. In 1982 he lost to Benitez. In 1983 he lost to Hagler (gave him a pretty tough night). In 1984 he wasknockedthe****out by Hearns in the 2nd round.

Wins over Lampkin and Palomino are good but not legendary.

The win over Barkley was super close and could have went either way. A great fight vs. one of the most hot and cold fighters ever!

Hey, I loved watching Duran fight but some of you guys are just too much. It's starting to get comical. Montreal Duran, Tokyo Douglas, 1992 Bowe...

 

no one will ever agree with you dude. this is the truth!! you said!!! "He beat Leonard by close decision in 1980 then lost to him 5 months later, LTKOby8. In 1982 he lost to Benitez. In 1983 he lost to Hagler (gave him a pretty tough night). In 1984 he wasknockedthe****out by Hearns in the 2nd round. " But the guy had an excuse allll those times!!!! take care my man.