Chavez vs. Duran peak/peak at 135.

Duran had a very large build for a Lightweight & appeared to be comfortable at Welterweight. Chavez did move up also for the Rosario fight. (His first fight at 135 after several defenses at 130.) Plus there was some discussion here at ESB a couple of weeks ago about when Duran Peaked. & some stated it was against Leonard, Which was after the Palomino bout. Still not saying Chavez would have beat Duran. Just stating a few odd facts.

 

Chavez was at his very best at 135, especially in the Rosario fight. That was his absolute peak, so it's not as if he was at any kind of disadvantage. He looked much better there than he did at 130. In fact 130 is probably where he showed the least amount of technical skill and experience.

Duran, IMO, did not peak in the Leonard fight in any other area than motivation. It was one of his best performances for that reason, but he was at his natural best as a LW. He peaked a couple years before that bout, but got up for Leonard like no other.

 

theres nothing wrong with being back up. it does not mean he was hurt or outhustled.

 

Yes, Very good estimation I agree. But isn't it strange Chavez peaked at 135 & spent way less time there than at both 130 & 140?

 

It is. I don't understand why he didn't stay longer.

 

i think duran was more acurrate and could punch slightly harder but i dont see duran koing him duran going forward was a genius who could slipand counter body punches never bothered him i see duran winning a fairly close decision by 3 or 4 point margins

 

Well if a fighter is being backed up and not doing it optionally, due to his opponents offense rather than strategically, then it shows he's having to adjust to whats coming his way. And if someone who pressures like Chavez is being backed up then it shows that he's been taken out of his comfort zone. It doesn't mean to say he's being hurt, but it certainly equates to him being outhustled.

 

Considering that the only guy who went 15 rounds with Duran at 135lbs was Edwin Viruet, who ran from him all night long, I don't think that Duran stopping Chavez very late in 15 is out of the question, although I personally don't see it. I do feel Duran takes this by 4, maybe 5 points. He's faster, hits harder, superior defensively, better footwork, can match Chavez' stamina and chin for chin, probably a more accurate puncher, better at putting combos together. Chavez was marvelous at his peak, he was a complete fighter, but in his prime I feel Duran was just better at virtually everything (although Chavez commited to the body a bit more).