Roberto Durán the Greatest of all Time??

So recently on reddit I was bashed for not believing that Durán is the best boxer of all time, and not having him in my top 5 p4p, what's your opinion? Is he truly the greatest of all time? I think he's an amazing fighter, one of the best, but I don't think he's THE best.

 

Hes number 1 for me.
I have no issues for not agreeing with me but dont try to change my opinion either.
Top 5 no doubt IMO

 

Duran was a great fighter but I find it very difficult to see how anyone other than Sugar Ray Robinson can be called the greatest fighter of all time.

 

He was certainly in the top 5, he could do everything, great at slipping shots and a brilliant counter pressure fighter, Leonard fought a great fight against him at welter but wasn`t landing that much, I don`t if he exposed Duran that night at welter, besides most welters couldn`t fight the way Ray did that night, Benitez managed it at light middle, but Duran`s body looked too short and chubby at light middle despite him fighting very well against Moore, Hearns exposed his short arms at the weight, and he went on to fight very well v Hagler and Barkley at middle, but was getting caught with shots that he wouldn`t have at lightweight I feel. Amazing fighter, a one off.

 

Do you think the reach difference would be the biggest factor, because of Ray`s jab?

 

I honestly find it difficult pinpointing any single fighter as a definitive best ever. Robinson probably looks the best on film whereas Armstrong might have the best 2-3 years and jaw dropping achievements whereas Greb has the most impressive resume. Langford being another who has an incredible resume and I see ranked #1 occasionally.

 

I would say that Robinson is the correct consensus GOAT. But Duran has a legit argument for the #2 spot, and I dont see how he's not top 5.

 

I dont think he should be ranked higher than Ray Leonard ....but there are very few fighters who look better on film than Roberto Duran

 

Duran is not the best of all-time but he’s unbelievable. I’ve seen people get extremely passionate that he was the best to the point he’s rubbed people off into believing he was vastly overrated. Both bad opinions IMO.

I rate him as #4 all-time specifically at 135 behind Leonard, Gans and Ortiz. I think he was probably the best fighter of the 1970s and he had some of the best wins of the 1980s (let’s not forget some bad losses too) and generally think he could be rated as high as #5 pound for pound ever or as low as, say 11 or 12. I believe I have him #7-8 off the top of my head.

 

Would you rank him higher than Ezzard Charles?

 

I don't think its the reach. I just feel that Robinson had everything and could do everything extremely well. He's the only fighter I've seen who looked like an artist at work.

No one threw combinations as accurately as he did.

Most fighters after landing a punch that sends their opponent reeling will have to wait a couple of seconds for him to regain his balance before following up.

Robinson would continue to land WHILST THE OPPONENT IS REELING.

He was incredible.

 

Doesn't even break my top 10, hell, I rank Leonard above him

That being said, great fighter. Arguably top 5.

He has no good argument for GOAT status, though. Can't see him being ranked above Robinson, Greb, Louis, etc

 

Duran fought better fighters than Louis, Joe`s best opponents (Charles and WAALCOTT) came along when he was in decline.

 

Charles would beaten him at middleweight.

 

I rank Ezzard Charles better than anyone Duran fought. Not only that, but Duran lost to his best competition. Louis still beat guys like Conn and Baer