Roberto Duran vs the welters/middles of the 40's and 50's

:happy

 

Fair enough, although at the higher weights I think Duran's strength was complimented by his skills. By that I am meaning his skills made him look stronger than he was, as he was able to change his angles and push people back while they were off balance. Although, I think Basilio has that solid base that wont allow Duran to shove him back.

 

That's what i'm saying Greg, i always think that people tend to look too much into the skills on attack and as a derivative of that they underrate his raw strength. In Montreal there's one round late in the fight where for a sustained period of it, they're just locking horns exclusively trying to force one another back and Duran is winning. (I'll find the round if you make me! haha)

I'm not saying that i'm definitely right but it could very possibly be the case. At the end of the day though this is one of the ighest rated welters ever imo (in Basilio) so Duran is up against it. But again he's just so good imo, outright.

I will make a pick sooner or later though, don't worry.

 

I get you definitly, he was strong and even a strong welterweight. But Basilio was the strongest welterweight. I think that makes it tough for Duran.

How much would you say Duran relied on his strength? If you took it away could he still be as effective?

 

Definitely not AS effective, his strength was a major factor in his fighting style. But if you diminished his strength say as an experiment he'd still succeed, the inside fighting he displayed together with his awareness was sublime.

I don;t know though really, wouldn't physical strength be important to any infighter? I understand what you're getting at though, he had a lot of skill so wasn't relying on it as much as say Basilio or someone less skilled like a Margarito.

 

His inside fighting skill-wise really is incredible, he might be peerless in that aspect. But as you say you need some strength in an inside fight but you can definitly make up for it by changing your angles, feinting and counterpunching. And Duran did this well.

As you say Duran didnt rely on it as much as Basilio, but I wouldnt say Basilio relied on it, more he just used it. And I think thats a problem for Duran, as Basilio is forcing his strength on Duran, more than relying on it.

 

It's just that, it's proven that when fighters press the action with Duran he is liable to excel. He almost always did in his actual career when given that kind of proposition. It would be a classic this, you've got to think that Duran can work here. Basilio's not like Hearns who is going to blast him with long raking shots and with unbelievable power. If you're asking Duran where he wants it then Basilio is obliging to his wish.

The only reason i don't just take that as a Duran win is because i rate Basilio so highly in his own right. He would be needing to constantly back up Duran though to be winning rounds, it's going to be very very difficult for Basilio imo. When they initiate each horn-locking session, i see Duran getting his work off first. Basilio would need to constantly turn that tide to bully Duran and take advantage. It's a huge task imo.

 

We have both summed up our cases pretty well for this, there isnt that much to argue, we both see each others views and botht hink its a very close fight.

Do you want to choose another match up to discuss?

 

:goodI would love to Greg but i'm going to a friend's engagement party (******!) soon and i'll have to make haste in a sec. Good debate with you though as always son.:good

 

Fair enough, you nonce

 

:rofl:rofl:rofl

 

Duran is more skilled on the inside, but work-rate can sometimes negate skills somewhat in that department. IIRC I think there was a round against Art Aragon where Basilio literally never stopped punching for about 2 minutes, just had the guy pinned up on the ropes and threw punch after punch after punch after punch, constantly hammering away. Duran was obviously no slouch himself on his night, but Leonard often took rounds off him just by pumping out volume at certain intervals and trying to hold his own defensively for the rest of the time. If Duran isn't 100% sharp Basilio could well take this. I'd still favour him though, narrowly.

Basically the whole fight would be conducted from the inside. It would be quite funny to watch.

 

I doubt the combatants would be laughing, actually wait, knowing Duran he might be.

Would be a great fight to watch.

 

So-so against the welters, not so well against the MW's.

 

Dick Tiger?
He began in 1952.