Could Duran have held his own in the 80s?

Duran would have done well in any era, imho.

 

It is literally impossible that he could beat someone quick like Taylor or Italian like Pazienza.

 

Yes, Duran would have essentially dominated. Camacho and Chavez would cause the most problems with Hector having the best chance of winning due to his quickness. That being said, while Camacho may possibly have been quicker than Ray Leonard, he didn't have Leonard's ring IQ, power or killer instinct so it would most likely not have been a duplicate of the second Duran-Leonard fight.

 

Short answer. He would rule

 

He would have dominated no question. Mancini was made for Duran, Arguello would be dangerous, but Duran would break him down. Camacho was fast but nothing to keep Duran off him for a whole 12-15 rounds. Rosario was powerful but Duran does to him what Chavez did probably worse though. Vinny Pazienze himself has said a prime Duran would probably kill him. Meldrick Taylor looks good for 4-5 rounds but Duran breaks him down. Chavez would be the toughest, but Duran takes a UD IMO.

 

Duran is Duran,he does well in any era.
And also drops the ball occasionally.

 

Well, Leonard was almost 41 years old and hadn’t fought in six years when he faced Camacho so I’m not sure that fight is relevant, but I understand your point.

 

He would have dominated. Only fighter who MIGHT have been a threat to him was Whitaker. But Pernell didn’t really emerge as world class until around 1988 and even then he was still early on in the pros.

 

Duran was a great lightweight only a good welterweight. He would be a force at lightweight in any era. Probably one of the greatest at that weight.

 

89 Whitaker would’ve been a problem.

 

I'd argue Old Man Duran beat Camacho in their first fight. Even Leonard said live on commentary how much of a robbery that first fight was. Prime Duran would have destroyed Camacho.