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

The fighter's standing before or after a fight doesn't have any bearing on how his physical actions appear in the ring. If a **** fighter throws a good jab, is that jab any better than a good fighter throwing an identical shot? No, of course not, as its the same punch. If i went and knocked out a top 20 LHW, despite having no serious boxing training or experience, it wouldn't be the best win of all time, because its against someone who wouldn't make the top 2000 ATG list. Just because there is a huge disparity in achievements and alleged ability prior to the fight, it wouldn't have any bearing on what i physically did inside of that ring.

You are obviously combining extent of upset, notoriety of the fight and quality of the performance in relation to how bad the fighter was before the specific fight all into one and using it as your answer, so we aren't going to agree.

 

I just made a separate poll, we dont need to argue this to death because I am curious what others think

 

I readjusted and restated my criteria to fit yours and Im still saying that its not...anyway, i made a poll. well check back tomorrow, im interested in other peoples take

 

Leonard-Hagler & Ali-Foreman were every bit as good as Duran-Leonard so I havent voted because I cant choose right now which one deserves the nod.

 

not at all, considering both men were fighting past their best.

leonard is generally regarded by most as a top 10-12 ATG, and one of the best (if not the best) WW's in history. he was in his prime against duran, and fought at the weight which was clearly his best. duran was near, or towards the end of very peak of his powers as well. hagler - leonard does'nt really cut the mustard compared to a fight that had two top 10 ATG's at their very best in a great fight. i dunno about all time wins, but this was the best win of the last 30 years.

 

When I look at this fight I always come to the same conclusion - Leonard got his tactics wrong, he thought as Welterweight champ than he could out fight the fighter, Roberto Duran as he was a naturally smaller man coming up in weight, I can see the logic behind that sort of plan but he shouldve known better. Ray always had the talent to outclass Roberto, it was Rays choice of tactics that made it difficult first time round...

 

This is one of the best fights of all time. But I wouldn't say the best win.

It was one of the best fights of all time because Leonard did what he shouldn't have done - fought Duran at his own game. He was basically saying to Duran and the doubters "I could try and out box you, but then people are still going to criticise me if I win. Instead I'm going to take you on at your own game and out fight you. Then let's hear what you all say about that."

It was an illogical and irrational decision, based on ego, but I think it's safe to say we are all glad he decided to do it that way because it turned into an incredible, classic fight.

As I said, one of the best fights of all time, but I wouldn't say one of the best wins. Because when watching it, as much as I want Duran to win, I think Leonard just shades it.

Great fight though!

 

Though the fight in question has to be right up there, I voted no as there have been a number of notable wins just in my lifetime. One immediately came to mind as a solid rival to SRL v Duran 1; Ali KO Foreman. I'm not sure that there has ever been a more feared champ than Big George at that moment and Ali was (by nearly all accounts) pretty clearly past his best.

Another that is probably a good rival would be Hagler's destruction of the original "Hitman", Tommy Hearns.

Recently, Barrera's schooling of Hamed is also pretty big and Pac's subsequent destruction of Barrera have to be high on this list.

What is your reasoning to support your assertion that Duran over SRL surpasses these and others? Especially Ali KO Foreman?

 

it was Durans night. He came to win and he did. SRL could do nothing to thwart that. No excuses.

 

Also, virtually no one gave Duran a chance.

 

I think that Ali over Foreman is the greatest in history, when you take all the factors into account.

 

you thought SRL beat duran in their first fight??? atsch

 

If anything I generally see a lack of Duran appreciation in this board compared to other sites Ive posted at.

More often then not its stems from the lack of footage people have seen of a prime Duran..We are lucky because there is a ton of film of him at lightweight and I bought a career set years ago bringing my collection of his fights on DVD up to around 45 with more on VHS. I got to see film of him at lightweight I had never seen before and thats when you truly appreciate him, add to that his fight against Palomino before he took on Leonard.
Ive said it before Ive never heard a person that has seen an extensive catalogue of the man not consider him one of the best fighters they have ever seen.

If boxing had Gods..Duran would be one of them. Thats not to say he is untouchable or alone at this level but he is up there with the likes of Robinson, Armstrong, Ali, Charles, Langford and others.