Who had the better defense: Roberto Durán or Pernell Whitaker?

On the Whitaker-Duran debate on defense.

Here is what clinches it for me. As mentioned by me previously, Whitaker had a more varied and multi-dimensional defense. He could make opponents miss in so many more ways compared to Duran.

Take for example, him pulling away from De La Hoya’s multi-punch combinations at the end of a round with his hands down by his side and twisting his head and upper body while going backward. No way is Duran capable of that. Not even a maybe. Pure genius.

And Whitaker could sit in the pocket up-close and make opponents miss with head movement and subtle fundamental blocks with his gloves and arms.

 

Pernell could do more things than Duran

but in the departments that both fighters could work at, Duran exceeded more, imo.

 

Defensively Duran was a master and Whitaker a wizard.

Got to favour magic over craftsmanship here but these are two of the most talented boxers ever. Two of the best I’ve seen filmed.

 

Duran fought well past his prime and was able to use his defense.
Duran is literally one inch taller then Pea and was able to extend HAGLER which as much as I am a fan of Pete he could never go the distance with a Marvin especially at middleweight.
Duran ROLLED with many punches as well and that is a part of defense.
As much as I like Pea his style also relied heavily on fast reflexes and there is no denying that.

 

Well, of course Whitaker was the premier defensive fighter. No one could touch him.

Duran on the other hand was primarily a pressure fighter whose defensive skills got better and better as he got older. Maybe it was the knockdown by DeJesus or his moving up in weight that prompted him to develop these skills. He certainly needed that defense when going against the heavier artillery at welterweight and middleweight

 

Both were defensive masters, but you couldn’t hit Pea with a handful of salt. Gotta give him the edge.