Antonio Cervantes vs Roberto Duran (140lbs)

Agreed. But the better competition and most importantly the money was at welterweight.

 

Ironically, Cervantes hit hard enough to knock his opponents multiple times in many fights.

 

Resumes don't fight each other. Spinks beat Ali, so I guess Butterbean would've whooped Ali too??

 

First off Duran fought Benitez at 154, almost 20 pounds above his prime weight. Second it was just over a year after the rematch with Loenard and Duran wasnt himself even remotely. Up until that time Benitez was afraid of Duran and admitted as much.

Third, Duran fought DeJesus in a rematch after the first fight and kod him, something Cervantes didnt do. Then he fought him again in 1978 simply to unify the lightweight title and again kod him, which is much more impressive than any decision.

Cervantes may have had a chance against Duran, but not much of one. Duran kos him in the later rounds.

 

Also ironically that could be a point against Cervantes' chances against Duran.

If he was able to knock down multiple times an opponent, then that opponent was able to get back multiple times... maybe a case could be made that Cervantes actually lacked enough punching power to get the work done and KO an opponent once for all.

Anyway, I stand for my initial assessment: Cervantes is not going to be a walk in the park. He is gonna give Duran some hell and rock his boat more than once; but the final outcome is not gonna change: Duran by late stoppage.

 

1975, and 1975 only, I think Antonio edges Roberto by unanimous decision. 8-7 in rounds.

 

No one was calling out Roberto Duran back then.

 

I used to think Cervantes could have beaten Duran but I don't think so.
I actually think the speed of Duran would have been too much for Cervantes to deal with.

 

Most Duran haters don't give him credit for his speed because he slowed down a lot when he got older and heavier.

Prime Duran was lightning fast.

 

Peak lightweight Duran was very fast,if he didn't have weight or training issues for the Cervantes fight,he'd blitz him.

 

Duran by KO