Duran vs Whitaker , an All Time Clash ... Terrific Article

I agree. Hard fight to decide. I personally think they were the two best light weights of all time

 

Duran wins.

Tough out like the article says. But, I would also favor de Jesus and Ken Buchanan over Whitaker.

 

You wot m8

 

Perhaps fights Thompson to a draw too.

 

You don't even wanna know what Guts Ishimatsu would do to Pernell.

 

Absolutely, his first name would be spilled all over da place.

 

Thank, he!

 

Duran wins, here's why. Whitaker is a top 5 lightweight in
history, but could he survive Duran's physicality? Duran was very
strong and had thick powerful legs that enabled him to maneuver
stronger bigger fighters around the ring like Leonard and Palomino who were welters.
(Palomino was also noted for his physicality) Whitaker was brilliant
against aggressive fighters like Chavez and Ramirez .
But they didn't use the wrestling techniques Duran was noted for.
So we have a fighter that had the physicality to match up with top
welters against a fighter that could fight in a phone booth against
average competition, but preferred room to maneuver against
the better fighters he faced.
Duran wouldn't give him the room. After the 1st few rds, I see
Duran's physicality, his ability to wrestle, Whitaker into the ropes
and corners being the major difference in the fight.
Let's not underestimate Duran's quickness either, he certainly was
fast enough to keep Whitaker in punching range.
Duran slowly grinds Whitaker down after probably losing the 1st
4-5 rds of the fight. He'd do enough in a 12rd fight to earn a dec.
in 15rd fight Duran is one of a very select few fighters in history
that could stop Whitaker in his prime.
The poster that wrote Buchanan and Dejesus would beat Whitaker.
I hope you don't actually believe that. Honestly I hope you don't.

 

Whitaker is a slick defensive fighter,,it'll take far more than that to beat prime Roberto Duran. He won't be able to keep Duran off him and will be totally in survival mode as the fight wears on. He could go the distance but I kinda doubt it

 

Coincidentally, per compubox anyway, Whitaker in his most active 12 rounders, threw and landed more than Duran in his 15 rounder vs Ray. He might not have the power, but has the angles and activity to frustrate Duran.

 

I've spoken often how I believe Duran at his peak is the best fighter of all-time, but Whitaker was a genius, man. I watched a fight (Miguel Santana) from his pre-title days just yesterday, and it's everything you could want in a fighter. Worked a great jab, had excellent precision downstairs, kept throwing, kept pivoting and taking new angles and showed excellent head-movement (suble and flashy) while applying massive pressure, looking for the finish. Even in his young days, he was showing extremely advanced techniques. He stuttered his jab very well. Just taking that second to pause and bait a shot. Worked very well and he integrated the technique into his game seamlessly, so Santana just had no idea whether or not it was safe to capitalise on that moment where Whitaker squared up and stood still. Once Whitaker had the timing of Santana's hand speed down, it was like shooting fish in a barrel. He also kept half stepping in and out of range like a spring. It was brilliant. Just how he widened his stance and moved out of range to then snap back with a counter.

People see the flashy head-movement and showboating and it sits in their mind so long they forget how economical and tidy Whitaker could be. Sure, he could get carried away with the clowning and wind up crossing his feet, keeping his hands down or being caught off balance but it does distract from the more clinical, tidy work he primarily did. Take the Haugen fight, for instance; Whitaker just did what Whitaker does best. He showboated Greg, but he didn't put himself at risk while doing so. He walked him down, made space for his body work and clinically dismantled him. I love how he did that. When Greg slipped something or fell into a clinch, Whitaker just used his head, shoulders, elbows or forearms to weasel his way to an opening by prying open the guard near the collarbone, letting the elbows sail outward and leaving holes in the guard. Just lets him sink them shots into the body at really unpredictable times for the opponent.

I think a big part of Whitaker's offense which gets overlooked is just how similar his left hand was to Louis' right hand. Obviously not in terms of devastating effect, but in terms of technique. Starting near the ribs, Whitaker tended to get a circular arc on the shot, loading it up and using the stretch shortening cycle of the muscle to follow through and get much more snap on it. Like Louis', it had a way of sailing over a jab - or a backhand in Whitaker's case - and landing right on the button. What's more is Louis states in 'How To Box', that he liked to pick his back foot off the floor as he stepped into the shot, to let the weight transfer fully to the front foot and take his head further of the centre line (the KO of Braddock is probably the best example of him actually throwing it this way, but he does it in pretty much every fight I can remember). Whitaker's cross didn't have the same KO effect, but it was often thrown very similarly. Not always, though. Louis' could afford to load up a little more often, because if he was stood close to an opponent - especially a taller one - their extended lead hand would often hide the fact Louis had just telegraphed his shot. Whitaker probably realised at some point that as a southpaw, he couldn't get away with this nearly as often.

Just an incredible fighter.

 

Duran UD
It's possible Duran could get a late stoppage

 

Most active 12 rounders? against who?

 

I could see it going either way really, but offhand I pick Whitaker by decision. Duran was brilliant of course, but Whitaker has the style to do it. And underrated grit and toughness.