Is Duran v Leonard I the best win in boxing history?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009.


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  1. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    It's a simple vote.

    I know there are many contenders for THE best win in boxing history, such as Greb v Tunney I and other wins by Langford, Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Walcott etc, but IMO when you take all factors into consideration, Roberto Duran's win over Sugar Ray Leonard is the best win in boxing history, the best win in the televised era certainly.

    If you vote NO then please say what you think is a better win and what you think may be the best win ever.

    :bbb
     
    DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009
    DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009
    #1
  2. iceman71

    iceman71 WBC SILVER Champion Full Member

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    douglas over tyson
     
    iceman71, Jan 15, 2009
    iceman71, Jan 15, 2009
    #2
  3. the cobra

    the cobra Awesomeizationism! Full Member

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    I beleive so.
     
    the cobra, Jan 15, 2009
    the cobra, Jan 15, 2009
    #3
  4. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    This may be the biggest upset, but that doesn't necessarily make it the best win when you consider all factors.
     
    DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009
    DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009
    #4
  5. FINITO

    FINITO Guest

    I picked no because Leonard came in with the wrong attitude and fought the wrong fight. A good win for Duran regardless but no, I don't see it as THE best win in boxing history.
     
    FINITO, Jan 15, 2009
    FINITO, Jan 15, 2009
    #5
  6. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    This is the crux of the dispute re Leonard v Duran I. I honestly can't be bothered in going over this again, I've had this argument a hundred times on this forum, but I do not accept that Leonard's "tactics" are a factor that can be used to downplay Duran's win. For me, Leonard had no choice but to fight like a wild man to defend himself. He was facing one of the greatest fighters that had ever been who was in rampant form. Duran was on his chest all night pushing Leonard to the absolute maximum, I don't believe the choice was Leonard's to make vis a vis tactics. Duran was the one in control and Duran was the one who imposed his fight upon Leonard. This is one of the reasons why I value that win so highly.
     
    DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009
    DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009
    #6
  7. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    He had 15 rounds to change his tactics..And you cant fault Ray's attitude in that fight, he came to win and win big.

    Its not as though he didnt box from the outside or try movement in that fight..it just didnt work that well.

    Not fighting Duran's fight in their 2nd meeting was really not that much more effective, despite what the end result was.

    I would say its up with the greatest wins..there are some that people may prefer other fights and they could argue them over this one but IMO its probably the best, at least on par with the others.
     
    WhataRock, Jan 15, 2009
    WhataRock, Jan 15, 2009
    #7
  8. bernie4366

    bernie4366 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    No. I thought SRL won that fight.

    Ali over Foreman is better. Much better.
     
    bernie4366, Jan 15, 2009
    bernie4366, Jan 15, 2009
    #8
  9. bernie4366

    bernie4366 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    No. You probably couldn't be more wrong if you tried. SRL fought Duran's fight from the opening bell to the bitter end. In the second fight he stuck and moved and totally clowned Duran like he was nothing, and Duran quit. Deal with it.
     
    bernie4366, Jan 15, 2009
    bernie4366, Jan 15, 2009
    #9
  10. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    A points decision for Leonard in that fight cannot be justified.

    Ali's win over Foreman was a truly great win, but IMO Leonard was a far superior fighter than Foreman ever was, Duran was out of his natural weight division, and the quality of the fight was so much better. Duran had to perform supremely to win, Ali did not because Foreman was one-dimensional and limited.
     
    DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009
    DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009
    #10
  11. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    A ludicrously reductive way of looking at those 2 fights. You seem very happy with this stunted couple of sentences though, so I won't bother getting into it with you.
     
    DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009
    DINAMITA, Jan 15, 2009
    #11
  12. chimba

    chimba Off the Somali Coast Full Member

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    Not even close, the question is why would it even be considered a best win. It was a close fight, Duran while moving up ended up fighting in MW. He was a short but stocky man. Watching this fight, there was no discernible difference in size. Duran should have been favored in this match due to his extensive experience. One of his few wins in a big fights outside the LW division
     
    chimba, Jan 15, 2009
    chimba, Jan 15, 2009
    #12
  13. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    I also dont think Leonard is the pure boxer that a lot of people make out...A lot of his success comes purely from his athletic ability, not to dissimilar to Roy sometimes. Though he was an excellent and well schooled boxer, I just dont buy that fighting a purely defensive fight is really his forte and whether that would have given a greater chance against Roberto that night anyway.

    He never shyed away from engaging guys on the inside.

    He had to call on other attributes instead of just his technical skills against Mayweather, Benitez, Hearns and Kalule..Guys who gave him a hard fight with smart, conservative boxing.
     
    WhataRock, Jan 15, 2009
    WhataRock, Jan 15, 2009
    #13
  14. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    You obviously havent seen either fights so why are you bothering.
     
    WhataRock, Jan 15, 2009
    WhataRock, Jan 15, 2009
    #14
  15. bernie4366

    bernie4366 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I have the fight on DVD, I've seen it many times. The fight was neck and neck and imho SRL scored cleaner punches, but I wouldn't call it a robbery either way.

    The important fact is that when SRL fought like SRL, he handled Duran like he was nothing. Hearns handled Duran like he was nothing. Duran, Hagler and Pryor are the great overrated trio in the boxing game.
     
    bernie4366, Jan 15, 2009
    bernie4366, Jan 15, 2009
    #15
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