Duran vs De La Hoya @147

Not a handful for Robinson or Nopales!

 

I´ve said this several times. Duran was very inconsistent at 147, 154 and 160. The Duran who faced Leonard in Monteral was an ABSOLUTE MONSTER. That guy destroys Pac, Oscar, Mosley, Tito and Floyd. That Duran was very motivated, and trained like a madman FOR THAT FIGHT.
But the Duran of the No Mas fight, or the Benitez fight, or the Kirkland Laing fight... I give any of the fighters I mentioned a decent to very good chance of getting the W.

Duran destroyed a shot Pipino Cuevas, a very raw and amateur Davey Moore, but lost to Hagler (no shame in that), got brutalized by Hearns (****, he did not even train for that, he just made weight), and lost to Robbie Simms. That was the last time Duran was phisically able to compete at the highest level.

Then in 1989, waaaay out of his prime, he comes motivated, well trained against Barkley and wins.

Duran at 135 was virtually unbeatable. He was destroying high caliber oposition with little training, using just his power, youth and natural boxing ability.
But at 147, where he did not have the same advantages, he was not the same.

 

Nopales


Neither Robinson nor Napoles are walking over DLH, if that's what you're implying.

 

Duran would have to respect DLH's left-hook-uppercut at welterweight. That was arguably the most dangerous weapon in boxing for a while there in the mid-90's. Duran of Montreal beats DLH, but NOT by KO.

 

Duran eats a left hook and quits.

 

I agree with Hatesrats. Oscar was among the fastest WW's in history and for his size. The leverage on his left hook and his speedy jab was a sight to behold, he would have an advantage on the outside, but on the inside and mid range it's all Duran. Duran's footwork going in comparable to Pacman's and wear down Oscar.

Duran would be wary of Oscar's left hook, but like John John Molina gave Oscar problems this is the basically the best brawler of all time with one of the best boxing IQs and worst temperments in boxing. I think Duran would get to him mentally too and Oscar would have his moments, but I can see Duran neutralizing Oscar's power by tying him up and just destroying him on the inside and right hands at midrange. Oscar did have an iron chin, so did Duran, but I think Duran stops him mid fight or a clear UD. Oscar would win the first 3 rounds, taste Duran's power, and then stay on survival mode.

 

I agree with all except the last bit, I think Oscar's tough enough to fire back his own, he's never been one to shy away from a fire-right when tagged.

 

I just imagine the build-up. Duran hated Leonard for his pretty boy image, it would be exactly the same thing against DLH. Duran would totally intimidate him. Over 15 rounds I think Duran would stop DLH late, who had difficulty finishing the Trinidad fight. Over 12 Duran UD DLH. Oscar would have his moments with his jab and left hook but I think Duran would win by clear decision.

 

It would either be like his last two fights with SRL and his fight with Benitez, where Duran got completely outclassed, or his fight with Hearns where Duran got completely brutalized. Either way, ODLH smacks him around and knocks him out or makes him quit.

 

PLEASE NOTE - I meant to vote `Duran by decision` but voted `DLH by decision` by mistake.

Both at their WW best, Duran outpoints him in a 12 rd fight... I think he could stop DLH in a 15 rd fight but DLH has never fought 15 rds & both have done 12 so Duran UD12 Oscar.

 

Osca does NOTHING better than Sugar Ray Leonard: he doesn't hit as fast, he isn't as busy, he doesn't have the footwork, and he sure can't go 15 rounds.

If duran comes in like he did for the first SRL fight, he wins.

His career is filled with great wins way past his prime, Moore, Barkley, Castro, that super late showing against a Camacho who had only lost to great fighters and always blew B opposition away even way past his best weight.

Duran was a great fighter, Oscar was a big star. Sugar Ray Leonard is greater than Oscar in every conceivable way, so I think its a 60% chance Duran pulls out a decision, but probably not a stoppage.

 

simply Oscar has speed and if he used it he would win a decision. Duran was beaten very easily for a guy who people say was 1-5 ATG, regardless of people saying he lost when he moved up. He lost when he moved up in competition. He still beat the Davey Moore and Iran Barkley levels.

 

Damn. I mean I agree, but at least DLH's jab was a bit stiffer and had a comparable left hook, if not a tad better Plus whose to say he wouldn't gas/coast at 12 rounds with an early lead had he trained for a 15 round fight, instead of the tenth.

 

So SRL didn't bring his speed with him to the Duran fight? Or did he think being macho was worth not winning the fight after the first six rounds had likely escaped him? SRL had ATG speed in his prime, and only successfully used it against Duran under circumstances where Duran could not follow up any sort of offense due to his physical condition. Blame Duran for being irresponsible all you like, the academic truth is that speed was not his poison. If the man could go from Lightweight to Middleweight past his physical prime and make it a close fight with Hagler, a feat akin to Robert Guerrero moving up to give Cotto or Martinez a good fight, it is safe to say he wasn't dumb enough to be outboxed by DLH. Or outspeeded by him, considering he went 15 hard rounds with an undefeated Sugar Ray ****ing Leonard.

 

MAG!! Shut up & go take yer med's:smoke