Duran as Lightweight was more consistant than Ortiz, but when Carlos was on, brother, he was ON. He could be so brilliant, like he was against Joe Brown, when he devised the perfect strategy for him to win the title from Brown. He decided he would use nothing but the left all night long, for 15 rounds. Brown, "Old Bones" as he was known, was a killer known for countering his opponents right hands, so Ortiz outfoxed him with a left jab chess game and took the crown. THAT Ortiz might have upset Duran as did DeJesus in that 12 round nontitle bout in '72. Otherwise I don't see anyone taking the measure of Duran when he was Lightweight boss.
Ortiz was brilliant at his best, but Duran was a Great... Duran would want revenge over the man who went 2 and 1 over his hero. Duran TKO14 (a corner retirement); whilst 8-5 up on the cards.
You probably nailed that one on the head, and pushed me off the fence in asfar as prognosticating on a winner of this matchup. Well said.
Carlos was a beautifully Balanced Fighter, who was expert in slowing down the Pace, then picking it up to suit himself, which usually meant, like Monzon, This Carlos, Also unflashy, would imperceptable turn up the Heat, and had usually established dominance by the 1oth, in his last fight (at 37?) against Ken Buchanan, early on he was able to use his Balance and Educated Movement to Manauvere the far more speedier Ken Against the Ropes, and until his age started to turn his legs to lead, Carlos was Holding hi own through Timing, That was one of Carlos's Aces, he could fight Quicker Foes, Brown, Laguna, Kenny Lane Etc, but Carlos Neutralised that Speed Advantage through Anticipation and Timing, Carlos Hit Hard and accurrately, was Durable and had excellant Stamina, and effective Minimalst Movement, A deft Sidestep was all Carlos needed to avoid a Bullrush, or cut off the Ring on a Mover, BUT Robert Duran...is...Well...ROBERTO DURAN !! the Raw kid that lost to Dejuses first time Around was a Work in Progress, certainly on the Guile Front, as the Susequent to meetings Proved, whilst Roberto never Lost that Primevil Savegery, later on he would pick his moments on when to unleash it, and when he did, it was like a Flash Flood of now Educated savegary, the accuracey of the combinations, and the way Roberto would Rip from body to head and back made compelling viewing, When up against a so-so runner who didnt Provoke any fear in Roberto, Duran could go through the motions somewhat, Fernandez, bizarro and the Viruet Bro's all Lead Roberto a Chase, But for Ortiz Roberto would i feel Have that Old Demonic Glint in his Eyes, and i am Afraid Carlos's Ace - his control of Pace - would be trumped in this Fight, Roberto would not be Dictated to on Pace, and ultimately he would set a pace that would make Carlos Wilt, I can see a Fired up Roberto Charging Carlos Early, and a fresh carlos Sidestepping and Countering, indeed like Dejuses even having Roberto Suffer a Flash Knockdown perhaps, But when Carlos Tries to Capitalise he is made ro Realise that This Shiney Black Haired, Black-Eyed, Black-Hearted Demon has now switched to another Level, not a Human Level of Calculation and execution to which Carlos could Recognise and Deal With, But Something Animalistic and instinctual, Where, without Consious thought or Effort, Every Fibre of Roberto's Being is dedicated to destruction of this individual in front of him, An Adrenilin Fueled Level of being where consious tactical thought is much too slow to be incorporated, One Does Something - but only thinks about it in that snatched Half Minute of Mental Relaxation in the minutes Rest Interval, ..... Roberto Early Cannot Destroy this man in front of Him, in the Midst of this Battle Roberto soon realises this is a worthy adversary, and instinctively Long-Haul Plan B Kicks in, Roberto Starts Working The Body, Sneering at Carlos has he Manuvers Carlos to the Ropes, This Foundation Roberto is Laying Down ensures Carlos cannot control the Pace Later on, and Come the 10th Carlos Knows that its more a Case of Survival them Winning, in Giving Little away to Roberto, Duran Has been here before and Knows the Script, if an opportuniny Presents Itself, - Let the Floodgates Open, if Not Just Keep the Pressure on and Carlos Shackled in defence mode, Pace is the Ace, and Robero has a full house, Roberto on Clear but hardfought points.
Man, thats some good writing!! I enjoyed those descriptions of Ortiz and Duran. That says it very well. There were some similarities in that respect that you mentioned between Monzon and Ortiz. They could both, in a very subtle way, control the tempo of a fight to suit themselves in the course of action.
Red Cobra, many thanks indeed, its a match between the cool head of Ortiz and the Hot Heart of Duran, Ortiz like Monzon seemed to luxuriate in the 15 rounds distence, a lot of what they did was very subtle, but very effective over the long haul...two great lightweights indeed.. Regards Area 53
I see this as a very very close fight,the key for Duran would be to dictate the pace ,make Ortiz fight at a faster pace than he wants,Ortiz was an old school fighter who could do everything well,and was a great lightweight when he was up for the fight.Durans intensity is unmatched at the weight and he has the edge in power ,though Ortiz could get you out of there. I give Duran a slight edge here ,I thi nk his manic attack would start to wear Carlos down over the later rounds ,he wont stop Ortiz ,the Puerto Rican is too good a fighter for that it would be a close ,but unanimous decision in Durans favour.
I second that. A superb piece of analysis! As great as Ortiz was, Duilio Loi proved that he was not invincible at his peak. Duran may have indeed been so when in prime condition at LW. But like Buchanan, Carlos was great enough to take Duran the limit (barring another cup denting foul blow, of course).
