Duran vs. Cervantes anytime from 1973-1975 would have been a good fight. During this time- Duran went- 23-0 (20) overall and 7-0 (7) in LW World Title fights. He had beat Hector Thompson KO8, Esteban DeJesus KO11 (avenging an earlier loss (L10)), Ray Lampkin KO14, and Edwin Viruet W10 among others. 4-0 (3) in these fights. Cervantes went- 15-0 (12) overall and 10-0 (7) in JWW World Title fights. He had beat Nicolino Locche KO10 (avenging an earlier loss (L15)), Alfonso Frazer KO5 (he had already beat Frazer (KO10)), Esteban DeJesus W15, and Hector Thompson KO8. 4-0 (3) in these fights. They both beat Thompson and DeJesus. They both stopped Thompson in the 8th. Duran was dropped in the 1st round by DeJesus before stopping him in the 11th. He also lost to DeJesus in '72 (L10, Duran was down in the 1st round in this fight as well). They fought for the 3rd time in '78, KO12 for Duran. Cervantes dropped DeJesus in the 1st and 15th round of their fight, W15 for Cervantes. Duran is 5'7" with a 66" reach and solid at 140Lbs. Cervantes is 5'9" with a 74" reach and solid at 140Lbs. So, who wins and why?
I take Duran. Cervantes will pose a problem with his longer reach, but doesn't have the Hearns-like power needed to stop him. In time, Roberto will get inside and wear him down to the body, and prevail by late TKO.
Cervantes in a close upset.Duran would give him fits early, but as the fight went on, Cervantes takes control.And he wouldn't be intimidated by Duran, a big plus.
Cervantes is bread and butter for Duran, Duran's slipping Cervantes shots and getting hit with little while getting his own brutal flush punches landing beautifully. I see Duran stopping him at some stage here, it wouldn't be close
Tough fight. But after watching Benitez - Cervantes recently, I've swayed further on Duran's side. Cervantes fought Benitez in '76. He looked incredible in '75 vs Thompson and Dejesus. He didn't get old all of a sudden but Benitez made him look old. I think he would struggle with Duran's hand and especially foot speed. I'll take Duran by 10-5ish decision.
Duran would just be too good for him imo, Cervantes' style isn't too bad though imo, he just wouldn't be active enough with the combos etc as a Dejesus was or a Napoles would be,too much long range focus and it would see him beaten imo.
You see how Benitez beat him. Bringing Cervantes's jab on, slipping it and falling inside with a combination or a counter. Is not a million miles away from a Duran strategy. I could see Duran feinting and looking to get Cervantes to put his jab out, and then Duran slipping inside and rough-handling Cervantes from the inside.
I love Cervantes, and he's one of the most underrated fighters in history. Having said that, he wouldnt have beat Duran. He'd give a helluva tough fight, but I think Duran in the end is a clear winner. How bout Chavez vs Cervantes? Now THATS a fight I think Cervantes would win.
Cervantes would beat Duran by a close split decision.This is the Duran that's a couple of years off his peak, so Antonio uses his counterpunching abilities to offset Duran's aggressive boxing style and scores the upset win.
