If Roberto Duran was put in Mayweather's place from 1996 to 2015 could he finish 49-0? I know he won his first title at 135, but he started his career lighter than that. Plus with the day before weigh in, seeing him make 130 is entirely conceivable. In all honesty I see him taking a few losses, just because of his tendency to become undisciplined. I do enjoy imagining what he if he could do Hernandez, Corrales, or Arturo Gatti worse than Floyd did.
We had a long thread on this this summer. I think he would have had multiple losses as he moved up on weight and fought 20 ranked welters and junior-middles in a row because of his lack of discipline. Most people voted that he would go 49-0.
Duran fought many fighters than were given a fighting chance to beat him..so his reputation grew because he won those fights in dominant fashion. The only two opponents he really missed on his way up in weight were Alexis Arguello and Antonio Cervantes. Duran was never accused of "cherry picking fights" or waiting years to fight someone (see SRL & PBF).
It depends on whose time frame we're using. If it's the time it took Duran to go to 49-0 then yes. If it's Floyd's timeframe then no. So based on the time frame you stated the likely result is no but certainly Duran at his best would have gone undefeated
If it were Duran's timeframe he'd have to fight 154 at a time when he was 135. He'd also be more green because he wouldn't have as much gym time.
There is the possibility that he comes into a fight not as focused or maybe after losing a lot of weight right before the fight. He was able to get away with that for some time in his younger years. That`s the only way he could lose IMO. I don`t see anyone on Floyd Mayweather`s resume that could beat Duran. It wouldn`t surprise me if even a 75% Duran beat all of them. He was just a great fighter with a lot of knowledge. He didn`t just depend on power or aggression he had that slippery defense and could counterpunch masterfully. I guess it would have to be an extreme scenario to picture Duran losing to one of Floyd`s opponents.
Best answer of the thread :deal I don't like Floyd or his style, but one thing nobody can slate him for is being undisciplined. I suspect over the long haul Duran would have been let down sooner or later by his binges. Prime Duran all the way ... no problem.