Antonio Cervantes vs Roberto Duran (140lbs)

After 1969 when Cervantes became a world class fighter he never again lost to a no name fighter like you say until his final fight. He lost to Pryor (who Duran never even stepped into the ring with) when he was 38. Im entitled to my opinion. You are entitled to yours, even if its wrong.

 

No one gives Cervantes a good chance against Duran, Duran would give him a serious beating.

 

Jel just did .. can you read ? You bringing up the Pryor fight in 1980 disqualifies you ... just sayin

 

Cervantes was arguably at his absolute peak in 1975. Watch his dismantling of Esteban DeJesus that year - masterful.

Now, I’m not saying Cervantes definitely beats Duran in 1975 but he has a very good chance. Yes, it’s Duran in his prime but Cervantes was at the top of his game then too.

Or, to put it another way, if the Duran who fought Ray Lampkin in 1975 stepped into the ring with Cervantes instead that night, he loses. We might have seen a different Duran if his opponent was Cervantes, but to write off Cervantes completely is unfair, I think.

 

I think you nailed it here AND before ... its a 50 -50 fight ... nice post

 

This one also might bake someone's noodle... is Duran beating Benítez at that weight either ?? maybe 1976?
Another good one eh

 

Duran became a welterweight champion in 1980, a couple months before Pryor became a champ at 140. Arguello was still defending a title at 130 at this time and didn’t even move up to lightweight until 1981.

After losing the rematch to SRL, Duran never fought at 147 again (much less 140) and Pryor didn’t become a welter until 1987 (when after two years of inactivity he was beaten by Bobby Joe Young).

The timeline just doesn’t work out. There was talk of Duran-Arguello at lightweight in 1978 but Alexis was outpointed by Vilomar Fernandez, which put the kibosh on that.

 

I do. Duran had opportunities to fight Cervantes. He leap frogged him. Nobody gave Cervantes a serious beating anywhere near his prime. Cervantes wasnt Leoncio Ortiz, Ray Lampkin, the Viruets, Lou Bizzaro, etc. Cervantes was several steps above those guys. He was a full class above Buchanan and Dejesus who are the best names on Duran's lightweight resume. Dejesus dropped Duran and embarrassed him. Cervantes beat the living **** out of Dejesus. See how that works?

 

And Duran beat all those guys including DeJesus twice by ko after that fight. See how that works?

 

Yeah and he looked quite mortal in every one of those fights, none of which were in Cervantes league. And it should be noted that the only reason he fought Dejesus three times was because of how much trouble he had with him. Cervantes didnt need to fight Dejesus twice much less three times because he dominated him the first time around. He also did a lot better against Wilfred Benitez than Duran who looked completely impotent once Benitez took away that right hand in the first second of the first round. No, Duran was a human just like anyone else. He was great but so was Cervantes and Cervantes in 1975 had a great chance of beating him.

 

If its in '75, I'm leaning to Duran, but with little confidence. Every year after that, it becomes an easier win for Duran.

 

It would be a great fight. Cervantes had power and precision and he was a little taller than Duran. Roberto was an elusive target for a slugger/aggressive fighter.

I think Duran just had a little more talent especially in the speed department and he was nearing his absolute peak in 1975-6. 1 guy (Viruet) went the distance with Duran when he was lightweight champion and he mostly ran.

Cervantes doesn't have a great chance to beat Duran but he has a better chance than anyone else at that time. At the end of the day Duran would knock him out probably early, perhaps late but he would find Cervantes. It would be an exciting exciting fight as long as it lasted.

 

Agreed , Cervantes was a very good fighter, and would've been a tough go for any fighter in history in his prime.
But Duran between Lightweight and welterweight would simply outclass him.
I wish Duran had stopped at Jr.welter before he went on to welterweight.
He definitely would've won the championship their.

 

Yea I agree about 140. I could see that being a perfect weight for him at least for another 2-3, years. The light Welterweight title at that time didn't have the prestige of the Lightweight title. At the Sametime Duran wouldn't of had to torture himself down to 135lbs. He would have been quite strong.