Duran of Montreal vs Leonard of the rematch

I've almost certainly heard it here before. It's an outrageous statement considering just how good Leonard looked and how dominant he was in those fights leading up to Montreal. The last refuge of a Duran detractor, mainly.

 

to say either that leonard wins every time (if he fights his own fight) or duran wins every times (if circumstances are 'fair') underestimates both of these great fighters. two of the most multi-faceted fighters ever, and two of the best too.

 

I know the exact thread you are talking about. It went on for ages, and MAG was certainly a part of the debate. He's not a advocate of Duran's ATG credentials, claims he lost to all the greats.

 

Yeh MAG's always squealed that Leonard was "GREEN" in Montreal & PRIME in New Orleans + Duran's not an ATG because he never KO'D an ATG & Barkley was just an average champ despite the fact that he beat his hero Hearns twice

I hav'nt heard of bernie since i told him his DNA profile can be traced all the way back to Penisaurus Rex

 

I think there can be an argument that Duran's win over Barkley is actually better than anything Leonard ever did outside of the Hearns victory at 147lbs...MAG doesn't even rate it.

 

yeah, on paper leonard racked up the wins, while duran accumulated some losses, but there's so much more to take into account when assessing a fighter's resume. there's a reason why duran is ranked in most top tens.

 

The only position an educated fight fan can take on this matter.

 

I've used it liberally, no he wasn't green as such BUT he wasn't experienced in dealing with being in such a war, arrogantly thought he could toe-toe with 1 of the best punchers of all time and let Duran's trash talk about his wife get under his skin

No doubt he learnt from this loss and yes came back better

 

I've also grown to appreciate Ken Bunchanan, who I think was a real top shelf Lightweight. A real quality fighter, and Duran pretty much dominated most of their fight.

 

The Barkley win is a good 1 but this is insane, a win over Barkley is better than a win over Hagler, Benitez or Duran himself? Barkley was limited and tailor made for Duran, Leonard dominated the same Duran but ofcourse there's that incredible conincidence where anytime someone shows Duran some lateral movement and angles he happens to be drained at the weight

Excellent fighter who could have done so much more than he ended doing. Unsatisfactory end and the lack of a rematch is a shame

 

Did Ray really come back better though? His performance in the rematch wasn't really stellar, and neither were his showings against Kalule and Hearns.

 

yeah, so many excuses are made for duran, and i really don't see why they're even needed. regarding the barkley fight... it is true that barkley's style suited duran. but the only reason it was such an ideal style for duran was that he somehow carried his punching power and chin up to 160. that in itself is remarkable. when you factor in that duran was 37 years old...

 

He came back with modesty and a gameplan playing to his strengths, ie movement and speed and outboxed the man who beat him pillar from post. Sometimes you need a loss to remove your arrogance and play to your strengths and minimise your weaknesses

Hearns was a great many find it hard to pick anyone over at 147 and he found a way to get the win despite the odds, would the more inexperienced Leonard of Duran 1 have managed to pull it out?

Leonard of Duran 1 doesn't beat Marvin Hagler of '87 even if he weighs 160lbs, he'd get too cocky and try to fight Hagler in the pocket imo