Maybe he wasn't. But I can't think of many lightweights Duran beat who were better, never mind much better. Buchanan's probably in the top 2 or 3 of Duran's lightweight wins. It might actually be his best win at 135.
Dejesus was head and shoulders above Buchanan. Buchanan was no better than Thompson, Lampkin, or Viruet when Duran fought them.
What about referee Jack Welch helping Ad Wolgast to his feet, while at the same time counting out Joe Rivers, after the double knockdown, seems dodgy .
No doubt Duran was winning easily and heading toward victory. No idea how hard the punch was as it's impossible to tell really. I have no idea if Ken was trying to milk a DQ. It's possible but it's somewhat a guess. Duran fought dirty at times but the bout was never out of control from memory. Buchanan was an excellent fighter imo. Buchanan was noticeably better than those guys, a different level for sure.
Yeah, DeJesus might have been better but "head and shoulders better" ? I'm not convinced of that. DeJesus isn't exactly a thoroughbred ATG. If Buchanan's no better than Viruet or Lampkin, the ranking of 135 Duran possibly takes a further hit. As dominant and as admirable as his reign was, there's an issue over quality of opposition here.
Theres always been an issue of quality of opposition for Durans lightweight reign. Ive never heard anyone dispute that it was a relatively weak era. But Duran, a natural lightweight, having do much success against guys like Leonard, Hagler, Palomino, etc says a lot about what he would have accomplished against other all time great lightweights or a deeper division. I dont see Buchanan as great or special at all. He was a typical standup European style boxer. Straight up and down, jab, one two. He wasnt any better than the guys I mentioned and yes Dejesus was head and shoulders above him IMO.
Bump. John Riel Casimero vs Luis Lazarte deserves a mention. This was before Casimero became a bigger player in the lower weight division and started fighting in the opponents backyard. The fight was not only dirty and foul filled but it also sparked a huge riot from the Argentinian crowd, displaying disgusting behavior as bad as Hagler vs Minter. Definitely a horrible night of boxing, and one that is almost completely forgotten now. This content is protected
Marlon Starling - Molinares, one of Starlings best performances where he seemed to actually take the fight and training for it seriously, not a common thing for Starling obviously, taking Molinares to school and he gets caught with a big right hand after the bell rings. Andrew Dalton - 'Six Heads' Lewis, Lewis had to leave the ring to use the toilet after having a shake pre fight that didn't agree with him. Also ahead on all scorecards. James Toney - Dave Tiberi, should've been a clear Tiberi win. Pernell Whitaker - Jose Luis Ramirez I, clear Whitaker win.
Yep... I remember watching that fight when I was in 8th grade... it was a shocking decision! I'm still kinda pissed about that.
