Roberto Duran (1978) vs Pernnel Sweet Pea Whittaker (1988) at 135 lbs, 15 rounds.

Roberto Duran (1978) vs Pernnel Sweet Pea Whittaker (1988) at 135 lbs, 15 rounds. This fantasy fight pits two mega stars from their respective eras against each other. Duran ruled the 135 lb division from 1972 until 1979, when he left the division after 12 title defenses. Whittaker was robbed in his first title challenge against WBC Champion Jose Luis Garcia at 135 lbs. Who wins and why?

 

We are talking about at lightweight, not flabby 154 lbs for Duran against Benitez in 1982. Roberto Duran won the WBA Lightweight Title from Ken Buchanan on June 26 1972 at Madison Square Garden by TKO 13, then defended the title against the likes of Hector Thompson Guts Ishimatsu, Esteban De Jesus, Lou Bizzaro, Vilomar Fernandez, Leoncio Ortiz, Edwin Viruet, Alvaro Rojas, Ray Lampkin, and Masataka Takayama. Duran could catch runners by cutting off the ring, He unified the World Lightweight title by stopping nemises WBC Champion Esteban De Jesus in round 12 on Jan 21 1978, then vacated the title to compete at 147 lbs, then on June 20 1980, he won the WBC Welterweight title by defeating champion Sugar Ray Leonard by a split 15 round decision in Montreal, Canada.

 

But Duran destroyed De Jesus in two title bouts, the first being on March 16 1974 by TKO 11, then as mentioned on Jan 21 1978 in a title unification bout in Las Vegas, Nevada by TKO 12. The only time Esteban De Jesus defeated Duran was on Nov 17 1972 in a non title bout in Madison Square Garden by unanimous 10 round decision. Did Whittaker ever defend the lightweight title 12 times, friend? Didn't Whittaker lose to Felix Tito Trinidad since you mentioned Duran's bout against Benitez in Feb 1982?

 

Put up your Dukes, Ha Ha Ha.

 

Good assessment, Hands Of Stone cuts off the ring on Sweet Pea, forcing him into exchanges, which does not work well for Whittaker as he tastes Roberto Duran's power in close against the ropes, especially the right hand to the heart that Duran used against Esteban De Jesus, Vilomar Fernandez and Lightning Ray Lampkin, whose head bounced off the canvas on March 2 1975 in round 14, Lampkin suffered a concussion, later Duran promised to send Lampkin to the morgue the next time they fought instead of to the hospital.

 

Yeah, But how come you did not mention the title bout against Jose Luis Ramirez in 1988 for Whittaker? Cat got your tongue?

 

Kind of like Whittaker's second bite of the cherry to get to Ramirez, Ha Ha Ha.