I think he even intimidated Marvin but Marvin is so bloody minded he was prepared to walk through anything and he did.
Duran actually was going to face the winner of the Leonard-Hearns rematch in 89. Hearns got jobbed with a draw most likely because the third fight with Leonard and Duran would be the bigger money fight.
LOL the worst part is a massage for his legs effecting explosive performance would’ve had to have been done literally seconds before the first ring of the bell and the effect would’ve lasted if memory serves a few minutes maybe only about 40 seconds?
I doubt he was afraid, but wary? I can buy into that. It's not unreasonable to think that Duran may at least have found Hearns physically intimidating. I've read that hat story before, though the details were a little different. But where there is smoke, there is fire. Duran was the very essence of machismo but even so, who's to say he didn't feel uncomfortable or wary around Hearns? Hagler wasn't much taller than Roberto, and not a crushing puncher like Tommy. Barkley was a brawler, big and strong, but not an intimidating fighter. That baleful glare Tommy could hit you with sure as heck chilled a lot of hearts.
I always got the impression Duran was intimidated of Hearns too. I recall Steward when he was a commentator on HBO saying "Tommy went up to him once and there was always something there that intimidated him". When you fight Tommy Hearns, you are forced to deal with his reach and big bomb. There's a moment of truth you're either going to pass or fail in brutal fashion. Either you go or he goes. I think his size, reach and punch intimidated Roberto. It's ironic that Hagler was more nervous fighting Duran and Leonard than he was fighting Tommy. When he fought Hearns he was totally fearless and ruthless.
Money, Duran gambled most of his money away and the Panamanian government took a lot of his money too.
Duran was far too small to take on a guy Hearns size, power and reach, how the hel was he suppossed to deal with that 78 inch jab, probably the best jab ever thrown in the weight class, Hearns was near unbeatable and that weight and was out-boxing Ray Leonard at 147 till getting caught too, Ray had the reach to catch Hearns Duran didn`t, Hearns was simply awesome at that weight, nobody Duran`s size would ever stand a chance v the hitman.
I would not go so far to say anyone Duran's size would not have a chance against Tommy. He would beat most but there were plenty of small guys that would get inside and beat him. Basilio is one who comes to mind. Duran stayed on the outside and was too tentative of getting in. The reach advantage immediately goes away once someone is against your chest.
Correct, Duran was typically a slow starter in order to beat Hearns he would have to start faster like he did against Barkley. Basilio would definitely been a great match against Tommy.
just to reiterate what is being said here, as I said right off the Hop, it was the Advantages Hearn's held in Size & Stature plus a KO Punch, No mystery, very normal and common when 'smaller fighters meet bigger killers... that's also why Boxing Manager's try to negotiate so many hinderances & demands for the Opponent to meet, so as to level, or worse 'Insure' their fighter's victory.
He didn’t intimidate Benitez. That guy was crazy and in his prime had incredible confidence in his own abilities. His stare-downs against Hearns and Leonard were legendary.
