Which Of The mid /Late 1980 s Welterweights Give Duran Problems?

Just Starling and Curry.

 

There was nothing too special IMO about Honeyghan, Breland or Brown...and Duran would have figured them all out and would have his way with them. Basically, they would be there to be hit, whereas Starling would have been virtually unhittable, and Curry may have beaten Duran if he had been able to channel a bit of Leonard or maybe a bit of Kirkland Laing.

 

That's how I feel aswell.

 

I’m a little concerned about Curry’s durability holding up. Sure he had the skills but could he take Duran’s punches ? Not sure. Marlon starling would be a tricky opponent. I’d still favor Duran but Marlon would give him a difficult evening

 

Yeah, that may have been a bridge to far for Donald..but Starling I like much better than those other candidates.

 

Personally i think Curry would give him some, well, Curry. He was a better infighter than Leonard with a more compact, precise offense in close. He was less inclined to wind up in there and was harder to hit to the body IMO. During his 3 year peak Curry was ridiculously sharp with his slashing fists.

As a welterweight, at his finest, i consider Curry above the likes of Palomino and even Benitez.

You'd have to favor the inspired juggernaut that was Duran but i think Curry could give him hell.

 

Starling had that peek a boo defense which made him hard to land flush on. He was pretty durable too and had fast hands. I still see Duran winning but probably not an easy fight simply for stylistic reasons.

 

This Starling was only ever stopped due to a punch after the bell, Starling at his best when he beat Breland, Honeyghan, would be a handful for Duran IMO. It's not like Duran was always firing on all cylinders above 135, he had some hit and miss performances and lost to lesser fighters than Starling.

 

Starling was as good as he ever was when Curry beat him in a competitive but obvious bout. Curry actually manhandled him a few times throughout and was the better man in inside exchanges. He actually had Marlon going in the 15th and he took the best Marlon, a good puncher, had to offer without flinching oir getting overly respectful. Anyone waiting for the Honeyghan Curry to emerge vs Duran would be sorely disappointed. Curry proved to be a half to full level above Marlon. Duran would beat Starling handily just as Curry did. He'd own the inside exchanges and actually be the stronger man. His workrate would keep Starling in peek a' boo mode more often than he would like and see Duran building a sizeable lead by the 10th. Starling wouldn't push Duran as hard as a brawling SRL did and may even be in danger in rounds 13-15.

 

The only fight Duran ever lost at 147 or even performed under par in was vs SRL in the rematch. Starling is in for a torrid version of Duran.

 

I haven't actually seen Starling vs Curry fights in a long time, i watched them when i was very young just getting into boxing. Back when you had to download the fights to find the rare ones, but from my very hazy memory i do remember Curry vs Starling being competitive ? i would like to revisit the fights someday and score them.