Who hit harder for their size, Mike Tyson or Roberto Duran?

I think you are correct because Duran was an all-around more complete fighter than Tyson, so he used his power more consistently. Tyson could be cowed by particular styles ala Douglas and Holyfield. Duran couldn't be cowed by anybody (unless it was Leonard!!), so his use of power was more effective. In other words, Duran was a more complete fighter.

 

Totally agreed. Tyson was a nearly completely offensive fighter whereas Duran was a great offensive fighter and a great defensive fighter as aforementioned. Tyson relied on brute power and even haymakers at times, but Duran knew how to best deliver his power.

 

Have you watched many of these fights?

 

Negative.

 

One of your finest Will.

 

In fact, all of them.

 

Well, I thought longer on it, and saying the hardest is a bit hasty. Ike Williams and Joe Brown might have a thing or two to say on the matter.

 

I'd say Duran pound 4 pound. His leverage, timing, power , and speed enabled him to do what Hearns couldn't do in 2 fights, thats put Barkley on his ass , and defeat him at a weight way above his best fighting weight, and way past his prime.
Also, Tyson never faced a Leonard,(Yes I know Duran didn't stop Leonard, but he hurt him more than Hearns did in Montreal) DeJesus, or even a Moore level opponent.
Tysons KO's seemed more sudden to the average fan, thus gained more attention because he was the heavyweight champion, and the heavyweights always had more than their fare share of attention from the media, when in truth , most of the time, they were not the most skilled boxers on the planet during the long history of boxing . But watch Duran at lightweight, he had as many sudden KO'S as Tyson, against better fighters than Tyson faced.
So in my opinion Duran by a landslide TBH.

 

tisk tisk John

 

When it comes to taking criticism on the forum, am I not one of the best?

 

and humble too I might add. lol

 

Oh. I was surprised that you used Buchanan and Marcel as two examples of Duran's extraordinary punching power who "couldn't make excuses about it." And that you completely dismissed the way Tyson absolutely blew up a bunch of legit contenders in ways they'd never been hurt before. The question of whether an opponent was at his peak is only one of several relevant factors here.

 

Joe Brown? I think you just need to take a bit more time before hitting “post reply”.

 

If you've done any reading, Brown is known for punching power.

 

You didn't just say hardest you added easily as if there was no doubt. Putting forward Joe Brown as a top 3 puncher is worse. He wasn't known as a puncher as such. Great boxer.