Great article on Duran, and for my money he no doubt was the greatest lightweight, would've been the greatest Jr.welter, and no lower than a top 10 welterweight head to head. But still, Ray Robinson is the greatest fighter I've ever seen on film. And imagine this, unlike Duran were theirs quite a bit of film of him at his absolute best weight. Theirs hardly any on R.Robinson at his absolute best, at welterweight. Robinson like Duran could beat an opponent in many different ways. Robinsons speed at Middleweight was electric imagine what it was at welterweight? Same with power in both hands. Love Duran. He has always been one of my favorites to watch, and I saw many of his lightweight fights when they actually happened in the 70's. But no one touches the original Sugar Ray. He checks ALL the boxes. Skills? Check? Natural ability? Check. Power and speed ? Check. Opposition when the opposition was relevant? Check. Longivety? Check. Chin heart,and mental toughness ? Check. A great showman? Check . No fighter in history was better than Ray Robinson. And the way the fighters and boxing is going today. No one ever will ...........
Sugar Ray Robinson. He looked like a Westside Story dancer with gloves on. His stance..countering, footwork, power and if provoked his meanness to finish a man. He was absolutely a matador against the Bronx Bull and lanced him on Feb 14 1952. Against Graziano..he was delivering a pasting to Graziano who was doing everything to rough up Robbie. Then Graz threw a hook that didn’t land but pulled Robinson down...Robinson brushed himself of...and 30 seconds later hit Rocky with a shot that flew his mouthpiece and numbed his legs. Don’t forget the perfect punch against Fulmer. Robinson is the best that will ever be seen in film. He was beautiful!
Wonderful piece. I'm gonna re-watch the Brooks fight soon based on that. It's one I haven't devoted any analysis to outside of the initial viewing many years ago.
It’s hard to go past Durán at his best. I watched him whip Carlos Palomino and the facets to his game was off the charts. Palomino was a top fighter in his own right but was rendered impotent and only lasted because his own heart and iron chin. And Durán probably looked even better in the third De Jesus fight. I don’t think I’ve ever seen what by nature was an aggressive, attacking fighter with a more superb defense. He could slip, parry and roll with punches as good as any defensive minded, counter punching stylist all while pressing the fight and forcing the action. An incredible fighter. JCC against Edwin Rosario is as good a filmed display as I’ve seen, Chavez was damn near flawless against Chapo and put on a pressure fighting exhibition. Another master fighter. RJJ was the most phenomenal athletic talent I’ve seen in boxing. Some of the things he pulled off I’ve not seen another fighter do. The final uppercut combination that finished Pazienza, the lead left hook that flattened Thomas Tate, the body shot that deflated Virgil Hill and the lightning one-two that floored Reggie Johnson were just incredible displays of his speed, power, coordination and talent. A freak.
I gotta say that Ray Robinson looked more natural in the ring than any other fighter I have ever seen.
