I actually voted for Duran for sentimental reason and for what he has done to boxing in that era. He was my original idol ---- the epitome of a boxing warrior. Much as I lavishly admire Pac who is still a work in progress, I love Duran for his legacy and greatness in fighting the odds. A true warrior.
http://www.the-top-tens.com/lists/greatest-boxers-of-all-time.asp LOL they have pacquiao at number 1 ATG boxer
If Kirkland Lang can, Manny definately can!!! Depends if it is a 15 rnder or 12. Ill go Pac over 12, boxing smartkly in and out ala his De La Hoya fight. Duran gets himk over 15 rnds with PAc slowing and not moving the upper body as much. The OLD ATGs seem to be bullet proof the way people go on abou them you would only think that Kryptinite would defeat them.
How old was Duran when he lost to Lang??? 28??? Jones loses to Tarver @35 and people get on his case. An ATG from Yester year loses and all the excuses come out. Comon Duran is great but Id pick several fighters to give him fits/eat him from this era. Floyd is another (the dude struglled with movers)
Another one of those people who think every fighter is the same therefore they have the same shelf life, peak at the same age and are automatically shot at the same age. Everyone is different...some figthers are burnt out before they are 25..some can go on being world class into their 40's. Roberto was 31 when he fought Kirkland...over 10 years and 20 pounds after he won his first title. If you cant see the difference between a prime Duran and the one who turned up against Laing then there really is no point trying to convince you is there. That fight has virtually no relevance in this thread.
I am making the comment because you are probably thinking the Pacman from the superBantam/Feather days shows up reckless. Prime for Prime is a very close fight. I am favouring Pacman over a 12 rnd fight to box smartly.
Duran stops Pacquiao every time. There are ATG fighters you can match Pac with around these weights against whom he has a good chance, but Duran is just out and out the wrong man.
Why would I be thinking that? Read my original post..I said Pac is hitting his prime and still has time to show what he is made of at these weight. So far..Prime for Prime it is not a close fight..Duran does basically everything better except handspeed. Which he has shown throughout his career he can deal with and negate.