SRR in any of his reigns at middle facing Duran ,is Roberto getting kod ? Can Ray go better than Hagler and stop Hands of Stone ? Does anyone see it happening ?
No, I think Duran had enough savvy to stay in there and Robi used to get hit with a lot of counters, he would be wary of getting countered by Duran, I feel he could stop DAuran if he got desperate, like if he was behind on points, I`d say the most likely way he would stoop Roberto would be the right hook to the side, he busted iron chinned Lamotta up that way, but Duran would fight as aggressive as Jake, he would fighht like he fought Hagler, using subtle skill instead of come forward pressure, Hearns had more one punch power than Robi and his reach was why he could catch Duran with ease without fear of counters.
Yes I could see it happening. Don't know that I bet on it but certainly Robinson had power in every punch he threw. Both passed their prime Ray still had very quick hands. He couldn't sustain his movement and he couldn't throw as many punches as he did pre 1952 but if he catches Duran with that hook and follows up Duran could be in trouble.
I very much doubt Hearns had more one punch power than Robinson at middleweight. Hearns stopped 3 middleweights Roldan , Meda, and Shuler. Robinson stopped 5 middleweight champions, and guys like Villemain and Dellanoit. Hagler was far too tentative against Duran who was mostly a bluff, had he gone for him like he did Hearns he might have closed the show imo. An old Robinson ko'd Fullmer with one left hook,and knocked Graziano's mouthpiece into the third row,no way I see Hearns doing that !
No, Hearns hurt Hagler I don`t think Robi could of and Tommy displayed more one punch power knocking out Shuler even though Robi stopped Fullmer with one shot, I don`t think Robi`s middle career had a lot of one shot finishes, plus Hearns stopped a light heavyweight champ also.
I feel Hearns could have stopped anyone at middle with one shot, but Ray was very smart at setting traps and he would have been more like;y to stop Duran than Hagler, no way could Hagler fight the way Hearnss did v Duran, that was perfect, Hagler was a smart brawler but he didn`t have Hearns ability to finish a fighter, Hearns was top of the heap in that categery.
Robi threw a lot of powerful punches and lethal combo`s but in betwen he was mostly throwing jabs, he had a constant jab and that would be the punch he would hit Duran with most.
Tommy Hearns stop Shuler? OK. At middleweight alone Sugar Ray iced Graziano with one punch. KO'd Turpin who had never been stopped, stop LaMotta hurting him many times in all their fights giving away weight in the first five. Past his prime Sugar Ray stretched Gene Fullmer with one hook. He had an iron chin. KO'd Bobo Olson three times. Not to mention Ray was a better two handed threat than Hearns. The only reason why Robinson couldn't hurt Hagler was because he was 70 years old by the time Hagler came around.
Good point ! Though id say its more of an even fight in some ways at welter in that Durans speedier but of course so is Ray .But yep ..
Duran wasn't a great Middleweight. His most praised achievements at the weight are within the context of his age and size. If a fighter like Robinson who is often considered the Greatest of all time failed to stop Duran or dominate him at a weight he was very strong at, it would be more to Roberto's credit than anything.