I remember at the time wondering how this fight might go. What do you think? 1980 Duran at 148 Pre-Leonard 1980 Antuofermo at 156 Pre-Minter The Undisputed Middleweight title at stake.
I'll take Duran. Antufermo is incredibly tough and will keep the pressure going against Duran, but I like Duran's accurate right hand, defense, and footspeed to win a decision. I remember an old SI article previewing the Hagler/Duran fight, and Freddie Brown liked Duran's chances by the way Antufermo pressed Hagler. Comparing the two,He stated Duran was a better puncher and better fighter.
Duran caught Moore and Hagler with thumbs. Let's just say he had educated fists. Antuefermo's style is made for Duran. I think he stop Vito on cuts or closed eyes.
I go with Duran myself. I don't want to sell Vito short but I think this is about styles. Duran to be too cute and fast close in. I give Vito the srength vote but I don't see it being a factor against this Duran who at that time still had that winning mentality. Plenty of head contact on the inside and plenty of right hands through the middle causes a cuts stoppage second half of the fight.
Duran would outslick him on the inside and this fight would happen there. I doubt he stops Vito but he wins.
I would favour Duran, because he was tactically a genius, and also smart enough not to brawl it out with the pysically stronger and tougher Vito... Duran UD 15 Antuofermo (9-5-1)
IF Vito put the pressure on him it would be a tough ugly fight. Hagler did not beat Vito in the 1st fight....Vito cut that was his weakness because of his massive forehead but he could pressure you....It would be a close decision and if Duran can keep him off he could pull it off but at 160 Vito was strong so it could go the other way
Vito by a UD.This would be one of the few guys Roberto could not intimidate, and it would show.Vito would be up in Roberto's grill, but it would be a close fight.
Vito by battery. He would constantly pressure Duran and wear him down. Roberto may have more technical abilities but Vito's the bigger and stronger of the two. Fighting at MW, the smaller man tires much quicker.