Just noticed that this fight has never been on a thread. In what is sure to-be a thrilling, fast-paced & actions packed fight, who would win between Prime Duran and Prime Taylor.
Duran does a similar job on Taylor that Chavez did but probably worse late stoppage or 12 round beating for Meldrick.
Duran could cut the ring off better than Chavez i believe, Duran was also more aggressive than Chavez. Chavez was a bit more measured when he was attacking, also Taylor doesn't have the firepower to hold off Duran. Taylor also wasn't a pure boxer he often liked to slug, and that would be his downfall. I think Taylor has his moments early on troubling Duran with his handspeed. But Duran would eventually start to grind him down and stop him late on.
This. As much as I respect & admire Meldrick, the fight gets stopped mid-rounds with Taylor still on his feet.
Interesting question... I know from people that were in the Taylor camp that they believed that, in the Chavez fight, Taylor would be the stronger guy and the harder puncher. The fight plan, from day one, was to fight him inside and turn him. You wonder if they would come to the same conclusion fighting Duran in his first fight above 135? You wonder how they came to that conclusion in preparation for the Chavez fight? Didn't they see him against Rosario? I don't see how Taylor can win this. Can you picture him against the hungry Duran that fought Palomino? He can't box with Duran and it isn't in his nature to run. Taylor had heart- it kept him fighting against Chavez when he had nothing for the last 4 rounds- and it would get him hurt against Duran.
Meldrick makes it interesting for the first few rnds but gets ground down and stopped late . Good fight
What? I don't. I just thought it was an intriguing match & also because it's never been done on this forum before. I also think Taylor has a MUCH better chance than posters are giving him. I pick Duran to win, but it won't be an easy fight whatsoever.
Interesting. I never knew that was the gameplan & thought-process of the Taylor camp. How foolish. Taylor was boxing pretty well & was defensively responsible for the first 3-4 rounds, but would soon resort to brawling. As for Duran, Taylor could cause some serious problems with his speed, but would need to be far more intelligent in how he applies it & not be reckless.
Respectfully disagree. Taylor wasn't the kind of fighter that could shrug off punches he was asorbing. He carried the weight and damage of those punches with him round after round after round and it wore him down. This was very evident against Chavez and showed the rest of his career. Duran cuts off the ring incredibly well and was an absolute savage technician on the inside. The "Hands of Stone" is an apt nickname, the punches Duran lands will be harder and more frequent than anything Taylor has experienced. The punches Taylor asorbs will break him down. Taylor doesn't hit harder than Iran Barkley. Taylor isn't faster than Sugar Ray. Duran has wins over both. Taylor has very few if any paths to victory against a prime Duran. Taylor was an amazing boxer but Duran was a once in a lifetime generational talent.
Fair assessment. Can't fault it. Although I disagree with the highlighted. I think their speed was either the same or Taylor was quicker (only slighty).
Duran stops him within 10 with Taylor receiving a career shortening beating like he did vs Chavez, quite possibly even a worse one.
