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

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There's probably about 1 idiot in the whole forum who does not realise it.

 

Totally agree. Weight discarded put Caesars Palace Benitez in with Montreal Duran and i'm on Benitez. He was incredibly sharp and confident that night - his best performance ever.

 

Mayweather has a speed advantage.

 

Did he at welterweight? Doubtful. By the way the bigger, stronger , harder hitting,just as skilled, just as fast (If not Faster) R.Leonard was faster than Duran......
How much did it help him in Montreal?

 

Leonard was dumb in Montreal and tried to beat Duran at his own game. Floyd will never make that mistake. All he cares about is to win, any which way he can

 

Tommy Hearns knocks him out

 

Yup, he has a good chance of doing that.

 

Mayweather Jr wouldn't have the firepower to keep Duran off of him. Or any prime ATG welterweight and above. Sooner or later he would have to set his feet and fight to keep a great opponent off of him, to earn some respect. If he couldn't do that, he may not get ko'ed but he damn sure won't win fighting strictly to survive.
But let's keep it real, Mayweather Jr. Wouldn't get near a boxing ring with a prime Duran. Or any prime ATG. I doubt he would get in the ring with some of the very goods in history where he didn't have a stylistic advantage.
His career at welterweight has been smoke and mirrors. Don't kid yourself.

 

Not exactly. Duran was a different fighter then the one who Hearns faced in 1984. Roberto had the quickness to close distance in 1979-80. He was a different animal. He threw more and was much more dynamic. By 84 Duran was still a good fighter but more or less layed back and counterpunched. He didn't bring the fight in the same way.
Couple that with imo Hearns wasn't quite as strong at '47. He hadn't been tested at the elite level.

 

50/50 or more against Montreal Duran:

Robinson.
Hearns.
Leonard (I have the fight scored closer than most, and I'm not the only one who does).
Gavilan

I don't hate the chances of the following welterweights: (At least 25 percent chance of pulling an upset)

Napoles (If he wasn't so cut prone, he'd be higher)
Griffith
Rodriguez
Benitez

Wouldn't completely rule out the following welterweights: (Non-zero chance but would probably pick Duran)

Mayweather
Armstrong

 

The physics doesn't change. Duran may have been faster, but he is still 5'7" with a 66" reach. He would still need to stand Almost straight up to reach Hearns 6"inch height advantage. Hearns would have Almost a full foot in reach advantage.
Factor in Hearns may have been faster at the weight, and still had his skills and of course destructive punching power. So yes Hearns may not have been as physically strong as he was at higher weights, but the problem remains the same for Duran, how to get close enough to do damage ?
If he charges in Hearns jab and reach and quick feet keeps him at bay until the right hand drops. If he fights patiently, try to counter, he'd find it hard to connect because of the hight and reach disadvantage, fighting a counter punchers fight against a boxer as talented as Hearns is just setting yourself up to lose. Probably spectacularly.
Look, I love Duran as much as most do. But sometimes a fighter faces a puzzle in an opponent he just cannot solve.
Hearns is that puzzle for Duran.

 

Napoles, possibly Cuevas.

 

Ray Robinson & Thomas Hearns within the distance.
Jose Napoles
Henry Armstrong
Sugar Ray Leonard

Wouldn't favour many more at 147.

SRR & Hearns more than 75% chance
Jose Napoles, Armstrong and SRL about 50/50 on their best night against that Duran.

Wouldn't completely rule our Luis Rodriguez & Kid Gavilan but I'd favour Duran.

 

Ray Leonard 6 months later.

 

If we keep it in its proper perspective, Duran is the only welter to beat an atg welter in Leonard. Tommy Hearns couldn't do that.