After the infamous "no mas" incident and losing to Kirkland Laing a few fights later a lot of people thought Duran was finished...everyone around him left him, Don King dropped him... Then in 1983 he defeats Davey Moore to become a 3 weight world champion and goes up another weight to take Marvin Hagler 15 rounds for the first time in title defences. His next fight may have been a ko loss to the massive punching Hearns and the next 6 years seemed faily mediocre with a split decision loss but again in 1989 at Middleweight Duran revived his career beating Iran Barkley to become a 4 weight world champion... Has there ever been a boxing comeback in terms of looking finished and reviving your career as good as Duran's?
Maybe Ali.....mind you, the reason people thought he was finished was due to inactivity rather than anything he did IN the ring. Mind you, Kirkland Laing is a very underrated guy. Was a career best win for him, and had he put more effort into fighting post-Duran this wouldn't be seen as such a slight on Duran's record.
Maybe Hagler. History paints him as a joruneyman until he literally smashed his way through to the top by fighting every available contender. Great stuff.
What was the thinking, odds, predictions around the time of Leonard-Duran, Duran was fighter of the decade but in his 30s 2weights above his best weight. Leonard looked red hot but was only 24 and somewhat green?????????????????????????????????????????/
Robbi what the **** is your problem? Liston didn't come back and win the title, I never ever claimed that he did. What I claimed was that he beat some good fighters and some contenders after Ali beat him, and he did. He has a ten year period where he went unbeaten being matched at the highest level. This is longevity. What, exactly is your problem with any of this?
Toney's career is somewhat reminicent, P4P no1 in 1994, loses to RJJ then a few others and fades into obscurity, fighting at 3weights above his prime weight beats no1 Cruser Jirov and then stops Holyfield. Then injures himself and comes back to beat Ruiz on points, where hes done for Roids - come on I dont know if he took Roids for PE but if he did he didnt have a clue what he was doing taking a substance that last in your body for 12-18months. Most roiders in sports take a substance that will clear their system in 2weeks max. How about Hopkins beating Tarver and Winky after been written off. Arguably beating Calzaghe, then schooling MW champ Pavlik after being written off again? Holyfield was written off losing to Bowe and Moorer coming into the Tyson fight, then he took Moorer, then gave Lennox a stiff battle at 37yo Not quite the same but Ray Robinson reclaimed the MW title 5 times. Foreman reclaiming the title (a bit flucky imo).
Duran had beaten Leonard comprehensively in June of that year...he had ballooned in weight in the meantime...
I never thought you'd fall for that McGrain. You're the last person who I'd have thought would have reacted like that. I'm was at the wind up above. I know you never tried to say he regained the title. My thoughts on Liston are on the other thread. Finished.
I did actually think of hopkins! I wouldn't agree that he arguably beat Calzaghe but the thing that made me think not as great was the fact that the taylor defeats weren't devastating, they were pretty close fights...Plus the majority of the wins mntioned there are wins over middleweights coming up...Duran was the man going up in his fights...but still an interesting look at bhops achievements Keep them coming chaps