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

A tough ,tough fight for both men. But I like Duran to win if it's
a best night vs best night scenario.
Here's why.
# 1 Duran was more than capable of keeping Whitaker in
front of him with his unique wrestling ability, and foot speed.
In order to beat Whitaker in his prime, one must have
the ability to keep him in front of you. Whitaker wasn't
a runner, but his ability to cut angles, and land punches
from unexpected directions was masterful.
In order to beat him , the opponent must have the agility
to turn with him, or control him by wrestling for position .
Duran could do both. Duran never gets the credit for his
deceptive quickness.
Duran had the ability to close distance better than most
in history. A great example of this was his fight against
Vilimar Fernandez. (Who was the epitome of "runner")
Fernandez was slick enough to out maneuver and beat
the excellent and prime Alexis Arguello. He also gave
Arguello pure hell the 2nd time they fought.
Yet Duran took Fernandez apart, and stopped him.
Duran was able to track Fernandez, and punish him
to the body for the eventual stoppage.
#2
Whitaker didn't have the firepower to keep Duran honest.
Getting Duran's respect would be crucial for Whitaker.
Though his firepower could get his attention, I don't
believe he'd have the power to seriously hurt him.
That's a glaring problem for him against
Duran as the fight dragged on, and his pressuring
and wrestling tactics began to have a effect.
# 3
Pressure!!!
Duran could pressure and fight effectively and
aggressively for 15rds. Though Whitaker handled
12 rds he seemed to fade a tad in the later rds against
Chavez and Ramirez. (To be honest, going off memory
from fights I haven't watched in yrs, I could be wrong)
Neither one of those two were as effective as Duran in
late stages of fights.
I see Duran beating Whitaker in a hotly contested
but by unanimous decision.
It wouldn't be a doubt he won.

 

Fair enough. I don’t see it that way though. The Viruets gave Roberto fits, and Sweet Pea is many levels above that.

 

Agreed,,rounds 12-15 would be a rough road for Whitaker

 

Sweet Pea lost to Jose Luis Ramirez at 135, he was also 5'6' and had a 69 inch reach so he has no physical advantages.

 

That was a horrible decision akin to Whitaker-Chavez

Still I do think Duran beats Whitaker

 

Both of these have the ability to beat the other. Duran beat Leonard, (probably his greatest win), so there's the chance he could also do it to Whitaker.

On the other hand, when he was at lightweight, DeJesus was able to trouble him and win, and if he could do it, then so definitely could Whitaker.

 

Roberto Duran NEVER lost at lightweight, his loss to DeJesus was an over the weight non title match at 140 to stay busy. He then ko'ed DeJesus twice . Pernell would have his hands full with a prime Estaban DeJesus

 

Whitaker is no Buchanan or De Jesus sure, but Duran is no Ramirez. Whilst that first fight was a robbery it was still close

 

Comparing a pretty faded Chavez (above his best weight) to a primed out Leonard or Duran (at their best weight) is just silly

 

I got $100 on you Rich!

 

I believe you. What about mud wrestling with girls in bikinis over at Gilley's Saloon?