1978 Roberto Duran vs 2003 Floyd Mayweather jr. 15 rds @ 135

Another Duran vs Floyd thread

As others have said, Mayweather doesn't have the work rate or power to keep Duran off him. People think Floyd could run and pot shot to a UD but he doesn't have the fleet of foot to keep away from Duran. Floyds footwork is more economical than it is fast and elusive. The way some Floyd fans talk about Floyds footwork you would think he was Willie Pep. Floyd can be forced to the ropes by lesser fighters than Duran. Once Floyd encounters Durans combination speed and feels his strength and power he will become a nervous wreck. Durans probing and faints would have Floyd twitching and backing up all night long. Floyd's only hope is to pot shot Duran at range from the centre of the ring but Duran at his peak condition was very hard to hit clean such was his crafty defensive ability. This isn't a plodder like Canelo or Maidana we're talking about, Duran's probably the most complete fighter ever to lace them up. Super tough, super slick, super crafty and totally relentless. There's versions of Duran Floyd could frustrate above 135 but at 135 Over 15 rounds Duran stops Mayweather easily, any version of him.

 

Duran would kayo punk mayweather in 12 rounds, methodically, and cruelly.

 

Duran would have chased down Mayweather and stopped him before the tenth or eleventh.

 

Why you mention Canelo&Maidana?Floyd is clearly past his prime now.of course young/hungry duran would win against shot and old Floyd.we could also put young Floyd against 37yrs Duran and Floyd would probably win.too fast and slick for old Duran.

But i agree,Duran in their respective primes would probably be too much,still pretty close match i think.

I only hate when people use examples of Floyd in 13-14 somekind of proof that he would struggle.in fantasy matchups,it would be fair to judge both fighters in their primes.not pick the fighter you prefer and his greatest moment and put him against shot fighter.

 

I truly think Mayweather would come into the ring like Spinks vs. Tyson. Maybe I've got Floyd's character all wrong, don't know him personally, but Duran was a scary guy. Manos de Piedra by boring, frustrating unanimous decision or wear-down knockout.

 

I dont understand why people keep claiming Mayweather has no power?

He had enough pop in the lower weights to get Durans respect.

 

Actually, in Tysons book it was written that Tyson paid for Durans ticket to come to the Spinks fight (I think $5k) because Duran was broke.

And Duran gave some advice to Tyson, which was, dont worry Spinks will be nervous just walk him down and nail him.

 

VERY interesting insight, I appreciate that! I'm curious whether Duran told him that cause he realized Tyson worked himself up before fights or he actually knew Spinks was scared.

Either way, I can just picture Duran seeing that same fear in Mayweather's eyes, realizing he was shook and already knowing he couldn't throw the shots required to keep him off.

 

I did a thread on the whole prefight hype but its disappeared and i aint typing all that up again!

I think Duran probably knew Spinks was already intimidated, i certainly dont think Tyson was nervous.

Butch Lewis, Spinks' manager, said that nobody has ever faced that version of Tyson that they fought that night, never before or after, neither as a pro or as an amateur.

Although Mayweather isnt a hard puncher, i feel he hits hard enought to make Duran think twice, or maybe i need to watch more Duran.

 

Yeah, I should have mentioned Castillo not Canelo or Maidana :good

 

Mayweathers countering speed an accuracy could make Duran think a bit but not his power. One of the wost thing you could do was hurt Duran unless your name is Tommy Hearns. Duran had an iron chin and used to sneer with contempt at flush shots landed on him. Floyd hitting Duran hard would not make Duran think twice it would just make him more of an animal.
Watch Duran vs Buchanan.

 

Sometimes, sharp, fast accurate punches hurt you just as much as power punches.

Look at Tyson/Holyfield, Tyson had a granite chin and Holyfield was not known as a puncher, but every jab Holyfield landed, had Tyson shook.

Same as Ali/Foreman. Frazier hit Foreman with clean left hooks but didnt even move him, but Alis fast sharp right hands got Foremans attention.

 

:good

 

Nobody NEEDS to know Mayweathers game at 135. All they need to know is what an animal Duran was at the weight.

 

Yes, those are the stupid type of fighters who just turn up on fight night without a gameplan and then get found out.