Duran is a great one, but his career had some down points well before he got old. Remember faster fighters beat him. ( Benitez ) He was upset more than once ( De Jesus, Liang, and Simms ), quit in a fight that he was uninjured in ( Leonard), and was KO'd very early based on one punch ( Hearns ). So Duran fans must accept he had more low points than most all-time greats and factor that into to their opinions of him. But we know most don't. I think Duran was best at lightweight, but his competition during his reign wasn't very good. What I'll stand on Buchanan was the best he defeated at lightweight, and he finished him via low blow. Lomo would beat Buchanan perhaps easier than Duran did.
Lomo never fought at , or beat a LW in his life.. A fight between him and current LW Champ Jorge Linares would be 50-50. There's no argument for him beating Duran. Absolutely none.
Guillermo Rigondeaux has 10 straight title defenses and was viewed as a top pound for pound fighter when Lomo easily bested him. Guillermo Rigondeaux may be in the hall of fame some day.
The way Lomachenko disposed of Rigo was out-of-context stuff. He made him look like a chump. That said, there are a few caveats. Loma was bigger. He was younger. It could be that Rigo had passed his sell-by date. I'd like to see Lomachenko against a few more top-shelf guys before proclaiming his p4p greatness. What I can say at this stage is that it's possible for me seeing how he could beat Duran. That's a relatively wide statement, and a step back from saying he would beat him or that I'd favour him. I think Duran would beat Rigo, too.
Are you aware fighters do not fight at their weight classes these days? Lomo was 138 for his last fight, which I bet is very close to ( could be higher or lower ) than the same opponents Duran fought at light weight. So if your saying Lomo was never above the 135 pound weight limit, you'd be wrong.
Does Lomachenko beat prime versions of Buchanan and De Jesus? If you think yes, then let's talk about him being competitive with peak Duran. I understand that styles make fights. But I really don't think Loma beats those two. And Loma is my number one guy pound for pound, these days.
I would agree Rigo was past his best. But would Duran beat the same version of Rigo as easily as Lomo did? Duran had trouble with slick and speedy types.
Styles, make fights. Duran also beat a shedload of slick speedy types, so he might. Rigo came away from Loma feeling foolish but unmarked. Duran wouldn't leave him looking nearly so good. Loma could be one of the greatest to lace em up if he manages to maintain this form. I want to see more before declaring him > Duran.
If Duran was around today with the day before weigh-in's he'd be much bigger LW on fight night than what he was in the 70's. So Loma would essentially be fighting a welter weight Duran. He wouldn't have a hope. He showed against Salido he's susceptible to body shots and rough house tactics. Duran will do things to him that'l make Salido look like a teddy bear. Also , Loma fights in the pocket at mid range , not from long range. Thats Durans territory.
Duran puts that Rigo in a body bag. So would a lot of 130 and 130 pounders around NOW. Mikey Garcia for example annihilates him. I don't recall Lomo even hurting Reego over 6 rounds.
At 135, in their first fight, Duran stalks Lomo, finding his body enough to slow him down, and wins a split decision. In the rematch, after Duran spending the time between fights whoring around, drinking himself blind, and generally partying like a Roman with his eyes on fire, Lomo expertly boxes Duran's ears off, making him quit and adding Duran to his list of "no mas" victories.
