But without New Orleans, Duran would not of had the gretest redemption the sport has known; redemption that now makes him the greatest living fighter on the planet. But that redemption has nothing to do with 135lbs Duran; with or without LeonardII Duran is still the finest 135lber ever.
Better than Ali? Than Chavez? Than Whitaker? Than even Arguello? That's all open to debate. Some of those fighters didn't need to redeem themselves from a disgraceful mid-career quit job. Not necessarily, his competition at that weight wasn't as good as some of the other candidates for the top 10.
Even Ingle said naz stood Johnny Nelson on his head in sparring. Don't believe me, check out Boxing Techniques, British magazine. If anyone can scan/post the article (i.e a British fan who has it) it would be appreciated. Unless Naz did it with a body shot.
Ali's redemption was mighty fine, to comeback from the demons that nearly killed in the late 60s, to becoming muvh more relaxed and more able to deal with fame in the 70s; but it was no quite up there with Duran. Whitaker has yet to redeem himself, I may be wrong but is he still in prison for his demons? Chavez lacked redemption in his career, hence is not an all time top 10 fighter. Duran compares comparison to anyone with opposition at Lightweight; DeJesus (times 3); Buchanan; Lampkin and Ishimatsu (Suzuki)....
:twisted: I'm trying to remember if I have him ranked higher or lower than Stonehands :think I think we have him at about the same spot. I'm working on a theory that the quality of the poster and the positioning of Burley in their ATG list is linked. I can see you're going to give me trouble
Well there's always the exception to the theory i guess. Trouble is, is it me, or yourself and Stoney!!!
Leonard Gans Williams Duran Ross Armstrong Whitaker Ortiz Canzoneri Brown On the bench,Lavigne,Chavez,Arguello
Of the lightweights who fough mainly at that weight: 1- Joe Gans 2- Roberto Duran 3- Pernell Whitaker 4- Benny Leonard 5- Carlos Ortiz 6- Alexis Arguello 7- Ike williams 8- Battling Nelson 9- Jack McAuliffe 10- Tony Canzoneri On this topic, I would recommend the book "Lightning Strikes" in addition to Colleen's and my biography on Joe Gans.
Was he not dealing drugs? It would seem I am totally off, but I understood that Sweet Pea had real issues with drugs towards the end of his career and sadly afterwards....