I take, and always have taken, Whitaker in this fight. He has the stuff-The more difficult style, the speed, the great jab, and he's the rare, rare find who was more defensively talented then Roberto. Provided he possessed the toughness and grit he showed at 147 down at 135, I see him taking the W. And he's probably the only 135 pounder I have that opinion of.
I take, and always have taken, Duran in this fight. He has the stuff- the more complete style, the speed, the great right hand, and he's the not so rare find who doesn't need to over-worry about defense with Pernell. Provided he trained properly, didn't party or lose weight too fast, I see him taking the W. And he's probaby the only 135 pounder I have that opinion of.
I go with Pete. Duran had fits with less talented southpaws, and especially didn't look good with southpaws who could move.
Although I think Pea is pretty much the most complete and close-to-flawless fighter I've ever seen, stylistically I believe a peak Duran would defeat him more often than not. I see Duran cutting the ring off, closing the distance, and outfighting Whitaker on the inside. It'd be very competitive of course as Pea was a master inside fighter as well, but Duran's greater power and ferocity would see him in control. The best version of Duran at lightweight was so good at cutting the ring off and coming forward while slipping and throwing, I can't see Whitaker mastering him in that world, nor can I see Pea being able to keep him on the end of his jab and on the outside for long enough to gain control. To beat the lightweight Duran, I think you'd need to have murderous punching power to keep him from rampaging all over you. I doubt there has been a lightweight in history who has heavy enough artillery for that task.
Whitaker would win a rather easy decision. Whitaker is the type of fighter Duran had a tough time with and couldn't touch.
i think some folks really need to watch Duran 71-79. I also think they need to realize that Duran beat a better fighter in a prime Leonard than Whitaker ever beat, even if you consider his effort against a past-it Chavez a "victory".
Christ, let's not start that revisionist history "Chavez was past it against Whitaker" stuff. It's complete crap.
I've seen all I've needed to see of Duran failing against defensive fighters employing movement, angles and speed to be certain Whitaker would win. It wouldn't be easy but Duran can be neutralised, using movement to not let him get set, bossing him with the jab, stepping off and countering as he comes inside, potshots to keep him in place and rack up points. If you want to see how the fight would go watch Benitez-Duran
Yeah, I always state that Williams would out-Duran Duran. I think Whitaker would beat Williams though. And Duran beats Whitaker IMO.
But make sure you steer clear of his fights against Ernesto Marcel, Ken Buchanan, Vilomar Fernandez and the rematch with Edwin Viruet. :good IMO, the best Duran wins. A fat and lazy Duran no, but a prime and ready Duran takes it. He's too vicious for Pea to handle and too intelligent not to find Pea's body and hinder his movement.