Could the 89 version of Duran pull off a shock win over 87 Hagler ?

So you're basically asking: "Did Duran age better than Hagler?"

I think, yes.

 

No.

 

Love Duran. But, no. I don't believe so.

 

Nope.

 

Highly unlikely.

 

No.

 

Duran would have beaten the Hagler of that night. No doubt.

Duran faced a prime Hagler and made it close. Duran had lifted himself again, that night against Barkley into the All time Great he was.

HE would have Beaten Hagler, and would have done so much more convincingly than Leonard.

 

I think Duran could have beaten Hagler in this hypothetical matchup. He already was competitive with a better version of Hagler and went the distance. Marvin was creaking along in his last couple of fights.

 

No.

But 83 Duran could have won against 87 Hagler.

 

I'm always mystified when people claim Duran almost beat Hagler or run him so close. Hagler tho quite unimpressive won very comfortably in the real world despite what the three blind mice penned. One can't expect three blind mice in a fantasy match.

The same Duran that beat Barkley fought SRL next fight and was comprehensively whupped. A fight Duran waited 9 years for. If Duran fought a good middleweight mover instead of Barkley he would have been outboxed.

The one chance Duran would have is that Hagler might cut.

 

Duran would beat him. Again!