Was Roberto Duràn an ATG?

Duran an ATG ?
























Nah.

 

I'd say Duran as number 1 Lightweight is questionable on a H2H basis he has a very strong claim but regarding resume i think maybe Gans, Leonard, may edge him personally. But that's all down to personal preference but regardless you'd have to have Duran in the top 3 Lightweights of all time easily based on his H2H ability and resume which is still good at Lightweight.

As for whether he's an ATG that's not even debatable honestly of course he is.

 

On a serious note though, yes, absolutely an ATG. He beat a H2H beast at Featherweight in Ernesto Marcel, who later beat an Arguello who had just KO'd Legra in a single round, then proceeded to beat a former multi defending champion in Kobayashi. Has 3 wins over LWs that probably belong in the top 20 ATG list of the deepest division in Boxing history, and made 12 title defences in said division against capable contenders and champions (Ishimatsu who beat Buchahan, Fernandez who beat an Arguello at his peak).

Moved up to WW to thrash a hall of famer in Palomino in a 10-0 fight, along with another half a dozen contenders or so.Then proceeds to beat a top 20 P4P ATG and the consensus 2nd best Welterweight ever in Ray Leonard, making it look one sided in the early rounds. Beat a still semi live Cuevas and destroyed Moore to redeem himself after No Mas. Was the only man to make Hagler go 15 rounds in his title reign in a great losing effort against another top tier P4P and divisional great. Beat a huge, hard punching MW champion in Barkley that moved on to fight at HW, while 37 years old and 4 divisions past his peak. Arguably deserved to win both fights against Camacho despite being 50 years old (Yeah Camacho was old, but Duran was a fossil)

He did lose in one sided fashion to Leonard in No Mas, Benitez and Hearns. But it should be noted that all accounts have him ill prepared for Leonard, even if that doesn't excuse him being so unprofessional, and gave away a ridiculous length disadvantage against Hearns that would have made Loma fanboys in general cry their little hearts out for years. **** happens.

I do think his status as a Lightweight is overblown when it comes to accomplishments in that particular weight though. Gans and Leonard are clearly his superiors in terms of LW resume, and I see no reason why someone like Williams, McFarland, Ortiz or Canzoneri couldn't also have a case for ranking above him.

 

Yes.

 

His résumé and LW defences make him an ATG, if Marv can be a one weight ATG.

What puts Duran over is the brilliance shown over such a long period clearly past his best. The demolition of Palomino is one of the finest displays of skill captured on film, toying with Leonard at times in Montreal, Moore, Barkley - these are not the feats of a normal fighter.

I could argue with anybody that Duran displays some of the most complete, elite skills captured on film ever and you would struggle to name 3 - 5 fighters with an equal skillset displayed against the level of competition displayed across the length of time.

 

For me Duran fell just short. Lets put him in the category of just on the borderline. I mean i could understand the odd bloke thinking he was but i'd expect the majority to say not quite.

 

If he had never accomplished anything again after beating Leonard, he would still be an ATG.

 

Despite the fact he's sometimes overrated, his resume speaks for itself and he's easily top 25 material on any reasonable list. One of the biggest issues with him are quitting against Leonard in the 2nd fight, but beating him the first time cemented his legacy as an ATG. He already had a hall of fame worthy career at lightweight before they even met, and then he was still putting on amazing performances past his prime and above his natural weight. The Barkley fight was like his Foreman vs Moorer moment as an aged fighter defying all odds.

 

If he’s not an ATG no one is.

 

This question?? should never really be asked..

 

Absolutely.

 

Congrats. You've just managed to ask THE single f**king dumbest question in Classic History.

This place has fallen off a cliff.