Opinions of old-timers back in 1980 on Duran as a lightweight. Interesting indeed.

Im actually starting to side with the idea that Dejesus II was a better performance than DeJesus III.

He looked more polished and versatile in the rubber..more complete.

But in the second fight he just looked like an animal at its physical peak...Sure he ran into some decent shots whilst doing it but they bounced off him bullets off Superman's eyeball. He really took Esteban's heart that night and ate it...arguably a better version of Esteban aswell considering the mental hangups Im sure he would carried into the third fight vs the confidence of knowing he had already beaten Roberto he would have had going into the 2nd.

 

Dejesus was a broken man after about 6 rounds in the rematch.He did give it a helluva effor early though.

 

In the rubber match Duran knew he had the time/intelligence to unravel his pest with minimal risk.

Their was personal cause for Duran to be at Dejesus' heels in the rematch, smarting from that lone loss, but eagerness should not constitute towards being viewed as a greater fighter in that instance.

He was, of course, floored again for not being as tight as he later became.

 

I'm one of few who was never quite as impressed with the third Dejesus fight. It was built up as some kind of masterpiece performance, but at times it just looked to me like he was going through the motions; boxing and playing it safe from the outside, making his way inside when the risk was lowest, etc. He just didn't seem to have that Duran fire in him, even though he fought a very technically sound fight. I prefer his performance not only in the second fight, but in quite a few others as well.

 

That's a fair comment. Certainly Duran did not crucify him, it was more a strung-out crumbling, than a quicksilver dissection.

Duran seemed to take out bigger chunks in the second fight.

 

I think the more obscure Villa fight was probably a better peformance from Duran in that style.

 

Great performance that one, against a formidable challenger as well. Villa was clearly very skilled, and a southpaw to boot, but Duran just out-did him in every respect, center of the ring or otherwise. Duran was really one of the slickest boxers of all time I believe. There were things he did that noone else could make work as efficiently.

 

I have always said Duran was overrated. He does not do well against boxers regardless of weight, but since the guys who were so good he fought at higher weights, then the weight issue is raised. Hearns moved up more than Duran did and beat a greater guy 30 pounds above his natural weight.

 

Yeah, and then when he walked into DeJesus' left hook in his next fight, it was like, "****in hell, I need to get me a gameplan!"

 

The 2nd fight was definitely the more eye-catching and visually pleasing performance, but you have to give a guy credit when he lessens the risks or punishment he takes while still winning the fight just as decisively. It wasn't a jaw-dropping clinic, but it was commendable given that it was a change of style, and not really the style he was most comfortable with.

Having said that, I always thought his title fight with Viruet was his most complete performance as a lightweight. He mixed in some of the best footwork of his career, while still maintaining his aggression and ferocity. He showed improved form from the first fight with Viruet IMO. That Duran is the version I would match with any lightweight H2H.

 

WOW, this is one heck of a post. These are respected names who saw the best and Duran. I feel Duran was a great light weight, but I also feel he is somewhat over rated due to popularity in modern times.

 

Hearns had the height and physical tools to go up in weight. Duran didn't, all he had was his defenisve ability and ability to fight on the inside when he moved up.

 

Roger that.