Who Could beat The Roberto Duran of 41 Years Ago Tonight?

This was actually a close fight. Had Leonard just won one more round he would have walked away with the decision. Could he have done that on another night? Not unlikely at all, but rather quite likely, especially since he beat him in their next fight.

Given how Hearns demolished him later on, you'd have to give him a good chance. I'd not rule out Benitez either, even though I'd favour Duran.

Whitaker at his WW best? Sure, I can see that. SRR also.

A fighter that wins by such a close decision is probably not unbeatable, even if the win comes against an ATG like Leonard.

 

I think Kid Gavilan.

 

I was close to mentioning him. Napoles was another i thought might be bandied around a little more.

 

"Just on another level" ...... seriously ?

Ray Robinson by many is considered the GOAT and I can see why, but Roberto Duran is right up there himself..... Robinson was by no means levels above Duran. Both are all time greats.

 

Sugar Ray Robinson, Thomas Hearns, and probably Armstrong. That's it, I think.

 

So, are we talking about a 1980 Duran ?
Or did I misunderstood ?!

 

Yeah, but you and your dad (RIP) also had Duran beating Marvin Hagler and ruining Benitez.

 

I agree with all of this.

 

You know that writing in caps makes you not being taking seriously? That score doesn't help either tbh.

 

Duran fought a great fight but there are so many great welterweights in history.
I think the win gets massively overrated. It was HUGE in every sense but I don't know why it's made into something that seems to outweigh the entire careers of other welters.

 

As much as I like the sound of a single win outweighing "entire careers" of other welterweights - if only for the dramatic emphasis those words conjure up - I don't think that's what is actually happening here.

 

I agree with you, however personally I'm not looking at just the fight
in Montreal. What he did against a very underrated Palomino also
should be considered. What he did in Montreal wasn't a fluke,
and should be considered what he could do at his very best.
In my opinion he beat the 2nd best welter in history in close
but convincingly fashion. He also beat a welterweight in
Palomino who should be considered top15-25 in the history
of the division. When one looks at the whole pie, though his stay
at welter was relatively short. It's still very impressive his wins against Leonard and Palomino
in their primes. Those wins alone are better than most welter weight champs in
history.