Roberto Duran vs Pernell Whitaker (Lightweight)

I think this fight comes down to Duran is better at pressure , punching power , volume, and his defense was good. Sweet Pea would have some fine moments , but in the end Duran by UD , 9-6 in rounds.

 

Duran would've been tougher for Pernell than JCC. Julio was calculating in his attack, whereas Duran was a little beast.

& I don't think Pernell used his legs to run all over the ring like Ray did, so he would be in much more contact. Damn, it would have been the epitome of the 'contrast of styles' that meshed well. I dunno who'd win, but I take off work to watch it if I was scheduled!

 

Duran clean UD. In a 15 rd fight Pea starts getting battered a bit at the end. Either 12 or 15 Duran by clean UD.

 

After Foreman vs Moorer ...I said never again

 

Ah, but the main thing to consider about that is that Moorer sucked.

 

I think that's a fair analysis

 

This is an odd post flash. You're using a fight that Whitaker barely lost a round in 24 rounds of fighting against Ramirez and maybe lost 4 against Chavez as proof pressure worked on Pea? Ramirez got totally schooled, I'm not sure he won a round really. If he did, it was because Pea was coasting making him look bad for most of the round.

 

Two of my top 5 favorite fighters of all time. I hate picking a winner in this fight. Put it this way, the only fighter I even really struggle to pick Duran against is Whitaker. This whole notion that Whitaker didn't have the power to keep Duran off him is silly. He did have power enough to dissuade Duran from charging in. Even if he didn't, and Duran was able to charge in at will, Pea isn't doing is matador thing and countering all night? He certainly would be. Pea had pop when he sat down on his punches, and even when he didn't, getting jab in the face or straight lefts will dissuade anybody, even if mildly. To me this is a 50/50 type of fight and comes down to Duran needing to make an adjustment. I believe Pea would come in with the absolute right game plan, and would take the early lead frustrating Duran. I believe a prime Duran adjusts, and takes control with his calculated aggression and closes well late. Split decision for Duran, but nothing about this would be clear or easy.

 

Duran UD

Would start close, and become more and more dominant for Duran as the distance continued (15 rounds).

You can't win a fight on defense alone, and Pea's (under rated) offense won't mitagate Duran's legendary offensive skills.

 

Nobody beats Duran cept Gans,Leonard maybe

 

...and maybe Dejesus as well

 

Love 'em both so am a little torn on this one. However, for a long time I've favoured (ever so slightly) Whitaker to win a one-off fight, but if they fought a series I could maybe see Duran coming back to win 2-1. I do think there is an element of truth in the idea that Duran had a hard time solving quality counter-punchers and defenders, but he was a smart fighter who could adapt and start cracking those codes...I'm just not sure he'd have quite enough time over fifteen rounds to solve Whitaker, and certainly not over twelve. But by a second or third fight I think he could possibly turn a narrow advantage his way. But ultimately it's going to be very tight either way so I don't really mind which way anyone goes on this and wouldn't argue the case for either guy too passionately....Unless anyone claims that it's a straightforward or one-sided win for either guy, which it wouldn't be.

 

That's right, Gans, Leonard, and.............yeah, DeJesus.

Oh, and God might have his moments in there with him too, let's not discount him entirely.

 

Duran would be too tough. It would be similar to the first SRL fight, Duran wins by decision.

 

I think Pea would make it an ugly fight. Nothing is gonna stop Lightweight Duran from chucking leather though. He was like the Energizer Bunny.