Duran V Curry - Lightmiddle?

Duran's a level above. He stops Curry.

 

Duran

 

Tough fight. I could go both ways on this. Curry was a sharp shooter and quick. And Duran had problems with quick. But Curry had stamina issues and he would not punch hard enough to knock out Duran and he stood in front of guys, so I figure Duran might edge it.

 

Curry on points.wouldn't be weak at light middle fast enough and hit hard enough to get get the job done.

 

So much depends on your timeline stipulations which many will completely miss i think.

If Curry moved up before the weight drama's and the weight of the Honeyghan whupping (per the thread request) he would have given Duran all he could handle. He had very fast hands, very good power and was crazy sharp. He'd also grown to be a very effective fighter in the pocket with that rapid punching and high guard.

Given you've picked Duran from 86 to make it a realistic timeline i might go for Curry over 12. Duran had a year and a half off after the Hearns drubbing and in 86 fought two nobodies then lost to Robbie Sims. Curry was the new golden child and Duran would be up for him but the other question is how does he go making the weight? His first two fights in 86 were above the middleweight limit.

Given the intangibles and questions on Duran i'd favor Curry. A Moore version Duran would be a bloody good fight.

 

Duran in 86" had become lackadaisical. The focus wasn't their, meanwhile Curry before Honeyhan was a machine. Perfect form, great combinations, fast hands with power, defensively sound....... But. A Curry fight would be the type of fight that would make Duran come in the best shape possible. And motivated. And that's were the deference is.
If Duran is motivated and in shape, he'd be to much for Curry. Curry had some outstanding attributes, but he also had some glaring weaknesses. Weaknesses a fighter as great as Duran would find. Duran would've been the 1st fighter to lay the "loss" on Curry's record if the fight happened before Honeyhan and Duran was focused. A true ATG versus a very good. Duran would use the Leonard fight plan in Montreal. Get in close wrestle Curry for position, and that would nullify what Curry did best, Duran would discover Curry isn't near as strong as Leonard was on the inside, or as physically or mentally as tough. Duran wears Curry out, stops Curry whithin 10-11 rds.

 

Duran is without question the better fighter but in 86' at 154 I think I have Curry on points. He was monster at that point while Duran was on the slide. Sure Duran went on to beat Barkley at 160 but Barkley was a slow banger. Curry had stupid speed.

 

Which makes me wonder. Barkley in 1990 vs. Curry when he fought Nunn. That is a heck of a fight. I think Barkley might be too strong even though he would be hit cleanly, he took a lot of biggers guys punches and still landed.

 

Timeline of this fight stipulated is not the inspired Duran of Moore fight.
This version of 86 the Duran that shows up is one that showed up
against Benitez or Laing. Hence DC pts. The 83 version Duran via
ko in 12 rds.

 

After a flogging by Honeyghan. You yourself excuse Mugabi after his Hagler whupping, why not Curry?

Some are never the same after their first defeat. Foreman was the same. At least Curry (and Foreman) had fantastic prior form, unlike Mugabi.

 

Simply look at Curry's prior form. Watch English footage as early as the Jones fight and you will hear references of weight problems. This is a year and half before the Honeyghan fight.

Thru Stafford to McCrory the man looked amazing. The Staring win, given wat we know is extremely impressive and the likes of Jones and McCrory are no mugs, let alone the way he beat Milton.

His resume at 147 prior to Lloyd is very very solid. He also passed the eye test multiple times vs good to very good opposition of various styles.

The emaciated body composition and listless performance against Lloyd are there to see. It caught up with him. The talk was out there well prior.

He loses marks for not coming back from this. Hundreds did in years gone past. Soem just don't have the make up. Perhaps taking on the vastly underrated (at the time certainly not now) and getting whacked contributed to that as well.

I have no problem with people not buying into this, many do plenty don't. It's a judgement call.

 

Curry .. there are levels of talent .. the near prime Curry as way to good for a 154 pound Duran .. Duran was still a terrific fighter at 154 as his victory over Moore showed but he was no where near what he was in his prime from 135 thru Montreal .. fighting the watered down versions off Camacho and Paz and beating Barkley, a huge accomplishment were still fighters against a different level of opposition ..

 

He was good but he also stands in front of you. That plays into Duran's hands who I think stops him late after trailing on points.