If Duran face McCallum instead of Hearns, who you got?

As is the case in most of Duran's fight's at this point of his career, it depends which Duran shows up. He wasn't in the best shape for Hearns & pretty much only took the fight for the payday. That's not to say he would've beaten Hearns had he been in great shape, I personally don't think he would have. Anyway back to McCallum, assuming he comes in motivated & well trained, he probably drops a fairly close decision to McCallum, who I believe was one of the greatest fighters of the 80's.

 

As far as I remember, McCallum was furious that he didn't get that fight, but Steward insisted that Hearns should take it. I even heard that Duran signed an opened contract to fight the either one of these two Kronks guys.

 

McCallum was the real deal and it wouldn't be a walkover for either guy, whoever won. But I'd favor a seriously trained Duran because of his footwork and McCallum's lack thereof. Favor, I say. I could see it going any which way on the cards but I would favor Duran if he's in good shape, and favor McCallum if he's not. Duran's such a wild card, anything could've happened. I definitely see it going to the cards though. Nobody ever stopped McCallum, and he had some impressive challenges. McCallum was no Hearns type puncher, and that's about what it takes to get rid of a healthy Duran.

 

McCallum took it as a personal insult, I think, that he didn't get any the biggest dogs of the time, like Hagler and Duran. On this forum someone posted a video of McCallum talking about how Hagler went to pay him some respect at the IBHOF or somewhere and said how he respected McCallum, and Mike said something along the lines of "If you respect me so much, why didn't you fight me and let me make money to feed my family when you were champion?" or something like that.

 

To be honest, I believe Hagler woudn't be a good fight for Mike, though we mihgt have got another classic, and Marvin another star on his record.

 

McCallum would have lay a serious beat down on Duran, the man was straining at the leesh to get this fight and would have relished this shot. This isnt a Barkley/Moore who didnt have the necessary skill sets to compete, this is a man thats technically as good and just as smart, bigger/stronger and in his prime with all the athleticism and stamina advantages that brings. McCallum speed would see him outbox Duran, he'd break him down to the body and head before stopping him around the 8th in a massacre

Duran ofcourse would have another excuse for his loss, probably that his boxers were too tight for his huge balls or McCallum cast a taco spell on him or something

 

McCallum is a technically better smarter boxer than Marvin and he may just have edged out a decision

 

In 1990 - very likely. But when Marv was at his best - I don't think so. Just rewatched McCallum - Curry and McCallum - Toney one, and don't think Hagler is a good matchup for Mike stylewise. IMO, Hagler's better footwork would be a key point.

 

Let's look at the four stoppage losses on Duran's record. Leonard, called a TKO when he quit but wasn't hurt at all. Hearns, we all know he knocked the bejesus out of him. Lawlor-shoulder injury, called a TKO for Lawlor. Joppy-he was forty****ingseven years old. Do you really think McCallum would "massacre" Duran and stop him back in the eighties? McCallum is an ATG in my book but he's not a Hearns-style puncher. He's got power but I seriously, seriously doubt a stoppage. Hearns really was the only legit punching power knockout loss on Duran's record while he was still viable. And Duran fought up at light heavyweight even. I just don't see it.

 

I think Mike would win against Duran, but no way he blasts him out as Tommy did, and I also do not see him stopping Roberto.

As a side note, I believe the ease with which Hearns knocked out duran has something to do with the consequences of the Hagler fight. I think people often overlook how much punishment Duran took in that fight, how much courage he showed, and what a mental effort it should have been. It just might be that the air was out of Roberto after that for some time.

 

McCallum would have won.

 

Agree that McCallum would've been too much for any 154 version of Duran.

 

However, disagree with this. If we're talking prime for prime, Hagler would've been too much for McCallum.

 

The thing is Duran never fought the best MWs, Hagler and Hearns (at 154) aside and most say Hagler was over respectful, McCallum wouldnt be at 154 where he was much more aggressive. I also think a body attack would seriously make Duran wilt as the fight goes on, no one went to Durans body often and as he was softer then it would likely see him get broke down

McCallum, Graham, Kalambay, Benn, Eubank, Watson, Nunn, Hearns rematch were all there for Duran to fight if he wanted to but he knew better at that stage of his career. Saying his durability is great when he never faced the top fighters is misleading