Who had the better defense: Roberto Durán or Pernell Whitaker?

It’s interesting that one of the guys that Hearns aura didn’t mean anything to was Iran Barkley. He returned Hearns death stare with his own gangster glare. Hearns didnt scare him one bit. In fact I think going into their rematch Barkley had Tommy unsettled going by their appearance on the Arsenio Hall show (it’s on YouTube somewhere).
Yet Duran couldn’t give a stuff about Barkley’s mean, angry persona and huge size advantage and met him head on. It’s strange that what unsettles one fighter does nothing to another.

 

Yeah, Whitaker would be a nightmare for Duran, but H2H P4P I'd still back Duran in a close fight. P4P I think there's less of a debate. I don't think there's any version of Pea that beats Leonard, for example. I also don't think he'd be able to move up to 160 and win a title or last the distance with Hagler the way Duran did.

In terms of tricky defensive skills and agility, Whitaker was arguably the best of all time, but in terms of ring IQ, power, tenacity, and sheer will to win, Duran would've found a way, I think it'd play out like the DLH vs Whitaker fight.

 

Steward selling a bit of snake oil here. I very much doubt Duran was intimidated by Hearns, if he was why fight him? He simply went in ill prepared and we know the result. Duran IMO was afraid of no one, unfortunately at times this could lead him to not train as he should have he just thought he'd go in and win.

 

Wilfred Benitez didn’t seem too worried.

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Whitaker is one of the best defensive fighters I’ve ever seen, he had tremendous reflexes in his prime.

 

You might give the edge to Pernell, but Duran is basically on even terms and in fact has so much more overall than Sweet Pea.

 

One of the best stare downs in history!!

 

Leonard vs Benitez was another classic stare-down.

I think the longest stare-down I’ve ever seen was when Lennox Lewis stood still—virtually motionless—and never took his eyes off Shannon Briggs during the entire introductions and up until after the referee called them together.

 

Currently hunting for the greatest stare downs on Youtube. I'll be back...

 

I'm not exaggerating much. Duran was on the attack against Leonard for 15 rounds. Didn't Ray have the fastest hands in the sport? Duran made Leonard miss more punches in one night than he usually missed in 3 fights.
Where am I exaggerating?
Whitaker was a defensive wizard, no question that was his calling card. IMO it a little tougher to slip and roll with shots when you on the offensive.

 

Pick any of the 15 rounds and you see Leonard missing an uncommon # of punches.

 

How many lightweights go up past middleweight and have success without exceptional defense.

 

I know exactly what you're trying to say - it's not as hyperbolic as it sounds when you watch the fight at a slower speed.

 

But Whitaker also slipped and rolled with shots when on the offensive.

He was a superb defensive fighter in any range including up-close.