If its the Supercharged Roberto of the Palomino / Leonard Fights, then i think Roberto's Aggressive Momentum would keep Benitez shackled in defence most of the fight, Roberto did not particularly like going Hunting for shifty opponents, certainly if he felt no sense of Threat.. or couldnt work up the fuel of Hatred, but a Fully Focused Roberto was much different to the Lt Middle "Coaster" At Welter and fired up he was a "Toaster" Benitez Gets singed and stays away from the Infernal Inferno as much as he Can, Roberto Clearly on Points...
I think Benitez is a tough style for Duran, and therefore would always be a bad matchup, is he ever going to stop RD, of course not, but he would probably frustrate the hell out of him more often than not. If Roberto can get to him for any sustained amount of time, or really pound his body, that might help his cause, but I don't see this as a good style for him. Overall I think Duran is a much greater fighter, but styles make fights.
Benitez had Duran figured out. Its as simple as that. When he took away Duran's right hand (which he would have done at any weight) he blunted Duran's offense and essentially tamed him. That doesnt change at a different weight.
I also felt that Benitez really read Duran in that fight. Nothing Roberto did seemed to surprise him him, he was always a step ahead. On the other hand, the Duran of Palomino and SRL 1 was quicker and stronger (for the weight). That was also one thing that surprised me - Benitez didn't seem to have any problem handling him in the clinches. I think it might be a different thing at WW. Benitez has to be the slight favorite for me, considering how superior he was in their actual fight. But I do think WW Roberto would be a different prospect.
Just reminds me of the ONLY two fights I've ever bet $500 dollars on in my -life. Benitez-Duran. At the time, Wilfred was showing some 'new' power, and Roberto (at that stage of his career, was sort of coasting coming into this one as he was gaining weight) Of course, my bud and I only won about $360 since Benitez was the slight favorite going in. Holmes-Cooney. Nuff said; I was sick of the hyped Cooney dispatching all the has-beens prior to this one. The right could be Larry's Achilles Heel but not a left hook. All he needed to do was stay away from the left bomb and he was home free. Again, we didn't win the entire $500 since Larry was the favorite going in. Interesting tho, is that Gerry basically fought a pretty darn good fight and then whet on 'hiatus' for TWO years after that? He should have stepped in the ring six-eight months later against a contender and been right again near the top clamoring for a rematch???
