Slight edge to Duran. Just during that brief peak he had with his performances against Palomino and Leonard that would be a tall order for anyone. Gavilan was great in is own right. I would never count the Kid out through. He brought so much to the table himself. That Bolo punch was no joke and Duran wouldn't be intimidating him at all. This one I would give my paycheck to see.
Very, very slight edge to Duran. Kid was one good tough son of a B. As ETM pointed out he ain't going to be scared of Duran. They'll both be mixing it up in there.. And enjoying it.even as I'm typing this I'm torn between the two but I think Duran is just a little in front in this. But what a fight and if gavilan won I wouldn't be amazed. Good pair up mcvey.
Slight edge to Dooran. He hits harder and during a 2 fight peak at 147 had the stamina and workrate to go with The Kid enough to decision him imo.
Gavilan lost 2 close decisions to SRR at welterweight, then he won the WW title after SRR moved up to MW, then Gavilan made seven successful defenses of his title, defeating, among others, Carmen Basilio and Billy Graham, whom he outpointed twice. He took the "obligatory" challenge back then and tried to take Bobo Olson's middleweight title, losing a 15-round decision at Chicago in April 1954, Gavilan lost the welterweight title in a controversial unanimous decision won by Johnny Saxton in Philadelphia in October 1954. Nineteen of the 21 boxing reporters at ringside scored the fight in favor of Gavilan, who sobbed afterward in his dressing room, saying, ''I don't want nothing that I don't deserve, but I win at least nine rounds.'' Duran by a controversial decision (but Gavilan would win at least one in a 3-fight series if given a fair shake on the cards)
i think duran's quite a big fav, kid aint gonna hurt him and isn't better technically or physically. gavilan v saxton sucks. if gavilan was crying after that then he needs to watch the film because he fought a **** fight.
I see Duran the kid with his power and skill in the first fight they both stay to the final bell giving a god account of themselves but Duran would supress gavilan best qualities and get the decision
