Sugar Ray Robinson vs Roberto Duran 140lbs catchweight

As 140, I would give the edge to Robinson, but it would be a close decision.

A better bout at this weight would be Robinson vs Pryor

 

Robinson always beats Duran at 140 anything

 

Robinson and Duran both smoke Pryor unless he gets his special mixed bottle. Duran can beat Robinson at 140 in a close fight.

 

Robbi enjoys many of the same power and leverage advantages that Hearns did over Duran.

Not sure why you would theoretically weaken Robbi to improve Duran's chances. If Duran makes 147 lbs for Montreal then let him face Robbi at 147 lbs.

Seems a bit like Charles facing RJJ or Langford at 160 lbs rather than 175 lbs.

 

Why? I think most would favour Robby over Duran at 147, and Duran at 135.
They both were 140lb ish fighters at one point. It’s a good question

 

Duran could definitely win at 140 lbs.

 

The fact that Robi fought at 140 when he was young doesn't mean he could safely make that weight in his prime, at 5'11 he would be weight drained, maybe even at 141 or 142, but at 143 things could get interesting at 144 I might pick Robbi at 145 I would pick him but 146 could still be competitive and I think they would even have a great scrap at 147 but maybe not 148.

 

140 lbs suits Duran better than it suits Robbi. Robbi really hit his stride at 147 lbs and Duran's best effort on film is likely Montreal or Palomino - it's probably just me, I don't see any real benefit to having to lose several pounds same day weight in for Robbi.

 

I think it’s just a question of who would win at 140, even if it suits Robinson less

 

7/10 times for Robbi then. He could be caught not at his best as he got older, cut considering the regularity of his fighting and considering that Roberto has his own share of lackluster showings, I will go with the man with the height, reach, speed and power advantages.

 

Duran's lackluster showing were all 147 and up except for the first DeJesus fight. At 135-140 he was solid. Robinson had an edge in power over Ray Leonard at ww but that's all Leonard had better speed and defense and we know how that fight turned out.

 

SRR has all the advs here. Height, reach, lateral movement. Bad matchup for Duran

 

It might be worth mentioning but Ray Arcel actually said that people may think Robinson was technically better than Duran but in close, Robinson was notorious among those with technical knowledge in the sport for felching each of his shots, whereas Duran only did that in his down time, when not in training camp.

 

I'm referring to in a series of 10 fights. I trust Duran to turn out more than one or two lackluster showings, especially if he has already gained a victory.

One thing about the Montreal fight that Robbi did have over Lenoard - he hits noticeably harder - it's not an edge in power, it's noticeable and he could mix it up better than the Leonard that was buzzed for a few rounds. I don't see it taking as long as it did Leonard for Robbi to recover and I also happen to think that his uppercuts, jab and right hand combined with his reach and leverage advantage keep Duran honest enough.