Greater Lightweight: Ike Williams or Roberto Duran?

I think it was Benny Leonard, his whole style was out of this world, an ATG Jab, excellent footwork, good power, good defence and an ATG chin.

Between the two mentioned I'd pick Duran over Williams and Gans over both Duran and Williams

 

To quote PhillyPhan:

"I am pretty sure that the rule on this forum is that Ali and SRR never lose a hypothetical fight...only slightly less known is that Duran beats every LW who ever existed..."

Overall I pick Duran, better h2h and around even in resume

 

It was Roberto Duran. I saw Duran live in Erie vs Bizarro and in Philadelphia vs. Viruet and he was by far the greatest fighter I ever saw live. Watch just his career set from the Marcel fight thru Monroe Brooks in late 78 and see him evolve. And even the Duran of 1975 I would take over any light in history. The lightweight Roberto Duran was the greatest fighter I ever saw in high powered exchanges at precisely nailing his opponents.
He had more killer instinct than any but a handful of fighters in history. His body attack would destroy a Whitaker or a Ortiz and ANYONE that decided to go punch for punch was doomed. I think he would eventually back up and beat down Armstrong andtake Leonard deep and drown him.
The great thing w/ Duran is he could also come out and blitz a fighter out in a rd or 2. Add to that the 1 punch KO power of a fighter always throwing in combinations and bodypunching and you have the greatest lightweight ever. And to some of us, the greatest fighter ever w/ what he proved when he rose in weight.

 

Now let me wait for my friend pernellsweetpea who I have not heard from very much lately.

 

I'm not going to get into greater this or that. That is dependent on your criteria. What I will say is, with my eyes, and what I see they can do, Duran was a level above Ike. I'd also pick him to win h2h.

 

lol I forgot I had said that!

Duran greater
H2H pretty close to 50/50 if forced to choose I would pick Williams but wouldn’t bet a dime either way

 

I know you didn’t ask, but just in case you were curious....Bob Cat Montgomery Beats em both

 

And of course Ike and Bob split their series...but I like to think that Bob won when they were both at their best, but some see it the opposite

Decent read
https://www.thefightcity.com/august...bob-montgomery-beau-jack-philadelphia-boxing/

 

Agreed, no fighter is unbeatable but at 135 Duran is close, the only other fighter I put in this category is Ray Robinson at 147. There may be others in their weight divisions but these two stand out

 

So let me ask the Ike supporters this... If I list the following categories... which are Ike superior at?

Ring Generalship
Defense/parrying
Movement (Feet and body movement)
Chin
Jab
Cross
Hooks
Body Punching
Power
Stamina
Strength

 

LOL you asked this same question last time this hypothetical thread came up? I will have to see later if I can find it

 

Duran gave so much of himself while fighter causing unbelievable pressing, but I think Ike was strong enough to stand up to it. Agree with PhillyPhan. 50/50 for me.