What Was Durans Best Win?

It was Ray’s 28th fight and Duran’s 73rd fight, with a ton of rounds already logged on the odometer. Ray is five years younger and is a naturally bigger guy. If anything, Ray had all of the advantages in the first fight. He definitely learned from his mistakes and beat Duran in the next fight but the SRL Duran beat was already fighting at a super high level. He just got beat be the guy who was better on that day.

I never heard anyone ever blame the first loss on SRL not being prime. His massive fight with the great Hearns was about a year later. Did SRL suddenly hit his prime in one year? Are you saying a green fighter could beat a prime Tommy Hearns? You are an idiot.

 

I scored that one 12-0 for Duran. Everytime I watch it Im determined to find a round Vinny won. One day im gonna do it.

 

You are the idiot for saying I said Ray was blamed for losing because of him not being in his prime. I meant as I have said for years now that Ray was not a prime fighter when he lost to Duran, which has always been what I disagreed with when people say Ray was prime. Whether that is saying that is why he lost? I didn't say that specifically, but I do think a Ray Leonard of post 1980 always beats Duran with movement. He wouldn't have fought Duran ever again like he did in 1980 or else he opens himself up for a loss. But the prime issue is easy to see. It is like saying Meldrick Taylor was prime the time he fought John Meekins or Pernell when he didn't beat Ramirez.. Pernell learned. The fact is Ray smartened up and fought his fight in the rematch which shows maturity. He learned to fight his fight to win..That became the greatest variable to Leonard's career. Learning how to win with the right style. I think his prime was coming, but he retired probably in his prime or a bit short of it. He was burning out psychologically by the Finch fight and needed a break.. All those tough fighters he fought, mentally he needed the break. Even the Kalule fight was challenging. He really pushed himself. I don't think he had another superfight in him that year in a healthy way regardless of the retinal detachment.

 

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Dejesus lll.

 

Sometimes the obvious answer is the correct one.

How many top 20 p4p ATGs lost in their prime to a fighter naturally 1 of the original 8 weight divisions smaller than them?

Duran's win over SRL isn't just his best, it has an argument for the best win in boxing history.

 

It sometimes really is that simple.

 

Leonard, obviously.

Then it’s Barkley and Buchanan. Perhaps his best performances were DeJesus III & Palomino.

Had the absolute thrill of being with Duran from Thursday-Sunday last week and I’ll say that he had a tremendous amount of respect for Buchanan. Putting his skills and toughness up there with any opponent and I got the sense that was his proudest win.

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Dudes a lot of fun to be around and it warms the heart to see how much he loves Iran Barkley. I watched the fight Saturday with him, and let’s just say, neither guy impressed him at all.

 

Duran had many exceptional moments but no win was close to the one over Leonard.

Buchanan
DeJesus 3
Palomino
Leonard
Cuevas
Moore
Going 15 w Hagler
Barkley

Performing so well in Paz 1 and Camacho 1 were great achievements as well ..

 

The Leonard win.

 

Top!!!

 

Amazing stuff mate.

 

so cool Chris that you are able to bring old school boxing back strong and relevant in a struggling sport .. I like to hear this from Duran , because I too think Ken gives Pac hell in a great fight !! and I hope you have time to get in the gym also, get on the bike , and maintain that sweat and high heartbeat ... dont neglect yourself bro in all your great work

 

Brilliant. Thanks so much for sharing the pics and in the info. I’m guessing 1985 is your YOB - so you were only 3/4 yo when Duran pulled off his amazing upset win over Iran? I love the present day camaraderie between Duran and Barkley.

 

His victory over the dangerous and naturally much bigger Iran Barkley for the MW crown was the one that impressed me the most.
As if simply beating Barkley wasn’t enough, the legend even had IB down late on.

A Very impressive performance.