Roberto Duran's resume minus MH, TH and SRL

Esteban DeJesus
Ray Lampkin
Ken Buchanon
Hiroshi Kobayashi
Iran Barkley

That being said the Leonard catipulted him into the stratosphere. Most likely the greatest win in history. Not to mention, the extroadinary skill he showed in between the ropes.

Without those names he probably still is in the top 20. (he lost to all except the 1st leonard bout)

 

Buchanan was a great Lightweight, Dejesus as well.

guys like Ernesto Marcel, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Edwin Viruet, Emilliano Villa, Ray Lampkin, Guts Ishimatsu, Saoul Mamby, etc are good wins as well.

Palomino was an excellent win given his performance, knockouts of Davey Moore and Pipino Cuevas at 154, and the win over Barkley is special when you take in the circumstances. In his 40's he beat a good Middleweight in Jorge Castro as well.

 

Don't Forget Ken Buchanon and Ernesto Marcel(who beat arguello)

 

I think that Ken Buchanan may be fast becoming one of the most underrated men on this forum, if anyone underrates this win they need to research Ken.

 

I'm not sure if he'd be in my pound for pound top 5 if he hadn't beat Leonard.

 

not from me

the guys quality, i think he is in the top 30 lightweights ever easy.

I loved his style the way he kept in the center of the ring with great footwork and used great straight punches, top 5 briton ever

 

His resume lacks wins over ATG fighters with the exception of Leonard, who was inexperienced when Duran fought him. Duran lost to Benitez,Hearns,Hagler and Leonard. all easily.

 

Yeah, pure class he was, tough as they come also. That staying in the centre of the ring you pointed out was great ring generalship.

 

ken also used the ropes well,and people forget that he had a fair dig ,especially his left hook.

 

But Duran started his career at lightweight. whereas these guys - especially Hagler were all naturally bigger - particularly Hagler who was a career middlewright. and yet asides from the blow out against Hearns he went the distance with everyone and beat Leonard.

The guy had no fear. he deserves respect for looking going after these fights when there was noone left at lightweight.

 

Spot on BF...Duran is without question a legend....and his performances against these great middles was just the cream on already impressive cake.

 

Duran started his career at BANTAMWEIGHT at 15.

 

True they were naturally bigger, but they were also much better than the guys he fought at lightweight. So when he lost to all of them, Duran had the excuse of his size. Hearns moved up to lightheavyweight and beat Hill and Andries for the WBA and WBC titles. So Hearns could move up and fight good guys in Andries and HOF fighters in Hill.

 

Duran beat Leonard but Ray was inexperienced and fought Duran's fight because Duran got in his head. In the rematch Ray won and was going to knockout Duran, but Roberto quit. Look at round 7 and 8 and tell me if Ray was starting to land heavy punches to the body and head.. He was. Duran knew he was in trouble. Better to quit than to be knocked out.