Which fighter was greater? Roberto Duran or the man who purged him of all known sin, Sugar Ray Leonard? Leonard made Duran repent! It was the worst thing that could happen to a fighter and the only worse thing I saw happen to him was the beating from Hearns. Leonard seemed to have the better weapons, even more versatility, and the bigger wins, but Duran had the longevity, and I never saw him duck anyone. For me, that in itself, scores major points.
Better weapons? Duran was a far better offensive fighter than Leonard, all Ray had was a longer jab, he used his reach as the bigger man to fustrate Duran, P4P Duran was far better.
I think it was always Ray easily. He beat other great fighters in several different ways. Duran had the longer career but Ray was greater if beating great fighters means something, something Duran did not do.
Surely Duran is in with a shout on this one, he was never a welterweight, middleweight but he remained competitive with bigger naturally stronger guys. Fighting people bigger, stronger and elite opponents shows how great that man truly was. When he was at his best, Duran was an unbelievable fighting machine. Two unbelievable fighters. I wish either were fighting now.
I've had Duran greater for a long time but I'm slowly warning to the idea of SRL being the greater fighter. About being better, I can't split them. They are both among the most skillful sweet scientists, they sit in the very top tier of those we have film of.
As in legacy? Duran was already an established elite/legendary fighter when Sugar Ray Leonard started his professional career and he is considered one of the top of the top lightweights to ever grace this world along the likes of Benny Leonard. On top of that you have his Four Kings storyline with Hagler, Leonard, and Hearns. SRL is obviously an all-time great, but I have him under Duran in my book, even if by just a tiny bit. Phenomenal run in welter Leonard had, that's certain, but he bamboozled torn and worn Hagler who expected a relatively easy pre-retirement fight. It was still at the very least a draw, or a victory for Hagler in most experts eyes. That and I think Hearns should have gotten the nod in their rematch. I can see a case being made for either one depending on how much you value consistency, longevity et cetera. Personally I consider Leonard's best win (Hagler) a robbery and a popularity contest and it leaves a small stain on his greatness in my eyes. H2H will more often than not go to Leonard unless he decides to fight flat-footed. Duran was simply not at his best in the higher weight classes.
Leonard but it is a close call for me. Leonard just beat better guys overall in my books though it really comes down to how you wanna do this at the end of the day there is no strict guidelines.
Duran was def the better of the two. He was the older, smaller man coming up from lightweight to beat a prime Leonard, regardless of the botched rematch. Duran was the best fighter of the 70s, he then had great success in the 80s. Duran went a full 15 rounds against Hagler, 3 and a half years prior to Leonardś 12 round win, 25 lbs above his best weight. Also, until the Hagler-Duran fight Leonard didnt think he would ever have a chance against Hagler In fact if Duran had beaten Benitez and Hearns he would be my lock for p4p king. Fabulous Four- Duran, Leonard, Hearns, Hagler.
For one thing he was the lightweight king during the 70ś, 12 title defenses 11 by ko. As I already said Duran showed some serious holes in Haglerś game which Ray admitted influenced him to eventually fight Hagler. Duran never bargained for things like 12 rounds, or waiting until someone was past their best to fight them. Ray was great but also an oppurtunist. Would Ray have fought Barkley after the way he kod Hearns? Very doubtful. Duran also had greater longevity and Leonard has even eluded to Duran being greater than he himself.
Their was no weight at which Sugar Ray fought where he was better P4P than lightweight Duran. Leonard was a great fighter but the only weight where you could say he was great was a welterweight. He only had a couple fights at any one other weight class. Duran had been a champ for more than five years and a top pro for almost a decade before Leonard started reaching the upper echelon of the welterweight class. By the time Duran became one of the Four Kings he was already past his true prime and out of his true weight class. Duran had a longer career at the top levels of boxing and his career best was better than Leonard's. I'll say Roberto Duran was the greater fighter.
