Willie Pep vs Roberto Duran 135lbs

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Devon, Sep 23, 2020.



  1. Devon

    Devon Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,835
    2,129
    Dec 31, 2018
    Who wins this matchup?
     
  2. Devon

    Devon Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,835
    2,129
    Dec 31, 2018
  3. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member Full Member

    51,551
    63,486
    Aug 21, 2012
    Haven't seen enough Pep to make a fair call. Duran was a beast at the weight though.
     
    Devon likes this.
  4. Devon

    Devon Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,835
    2,129
    Dec 31, 2018
    He is slickster with great footwork and head movement and fast hands like an orthodox pernell Whittaker with better balance
     
  5. 88Chris05

    88Chris05 Active Member Full Member

    1,378
    3,124
    Aug 20, 2013
    If Pep couldn't handle Saddler's physicality at 126 then I have no idea how he's meant to compete with a marauding, heavy-handed Duran at 135. Regardless of Pep's balletic footwork and speed, Duran would make this look like a mugging eventually. All-time great Feather against an all-time great Light (who kicked some impressive arse at Welter, too)....Yep, I'm going with the all-time great Light every time.
     
    Rope-a-Dope and Devon like this.
  6. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member Full Member

    51,551
    63,486
    Aug 21, 2012
    I've also seen the highlights packages. But I'd have to look at longer, complete fights to be fair. He looks amazing in the highlights.
     
    George Crowcroft and Devon like this.
  7. Devon

    Devon Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,835
    2,129
    Dec 31, 2018
    I forget, I thought Pep was a 5’7 lightweight, but I looked and realised he was a 5’5 featherweight
     
  8. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    26,101
    41,914
    Mar 3, 2019
    The only outings Pep had at 135 which I can recall are his fights vs Joyce and Angott. He beat Joyce decisively, which is an immense win given the size difference and how good Joyce was (went 3-1 vs Ike Williams, beat Armstrong, White and Wright). Joyce was an out-boxer though, one who was supposedly rather textbook and bog standard. His fight with Angott is much more damning. Angott was coming straight out of retirement, had chronic hand injuries, and wasn't close to being the best LW in the world at that point. He clinched Pep often, and out-hustled and fought him in a ten round decision. Angott was nicknamed 'The Clutch', based on his fondness of grappling and ugly tactics. If Angott can do this (and Angott wasn't a bad fighter, he's an all-time great, had the highest level of competition ever IMO, and is one of my favourite fighters), then why couldn't Duran? Sure, pep was coming on late, after figuring him out and arguably would've won a longer decision, but he still had massive issues. Then there's how Saddler's grappling, size, power & strength troubled Pep.

    This is an awful match up. Not only is Duran bigger, he's better, greater and has a style advantage. The only acceptable option is a Duran KO.
     
  9. Xplosive

    Xplosive Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    23,664
    8,753
    Jun 23, 2008
    Pep gets his ass kicked from pillar to post.
     
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  10. Arminius1

    Arminius1 Member Full Member

    229
    189
    Jun 7, 2019
    Duran punched too hard for Pep to handle.