I believe there were tentative talks between the two's camps about a fight around 1975 on the proviso that Buchanan beat Ishimatsu for the WBC belt, which he was expected to do (will try to find the article). Two very evenly-matched guys in terms of resumé and skills. Buchanan a bit more of a classical stylist with a great jab and judgement of distance and better defence, De Jesus a little quicker, offensively better with a spiteful streak. Difficult to say for sure which of them was Duran's best scalp at 135. I do think that Duran was a good style for De Jesus to shine against (first two fights in any case - Duran took him apart in the third) and I'm mindful of how much more workmanlike and one-dimensional he looked against guys with height. He was usually quick and varied with his attacks in close, but against Cervantes and Mamby, both of whom kept him on the outside, he was reduced to jumping in sometimes and being forced to neglect the jab. Tall guys seemed a difficult puzzle for him to solve. There are some mitigating factors there obviously: both were at 140, and De Jesus was hitting a downturn around the time he fought Mamby...But maybe worth considering. Gun to my head and with no real conviction, I'll go with Buchanan's more upright style and jab to help him to a points win. Even if De Jesus does work his way in close, Buchanan was no pushover on the inside and he could really bang to the body (see the way he turned the tide of the Watt fight by breaking him down to the body late on). But wouldn't argue if anyone saw it the other way and like I said, there's not much conviction in that pick.
That would have been such a great fight. Esteban was very quick, and packed a punch. Remember he decked a prime Duran in a non title fight on Nov 17 1972 and won on points in New York, this shortly after winning the title from Buchanan, Tko 13. De Jesus again decked Roberto in the 1st round of their March 16 1974 title fight in Panana City Panama. Duran prevailed with a Tko 11 victory to retain his WBA lightweight title. Hands of stone stopped Esteban in round 12 of their January 1978 title unification fight in Las Vegas. Ken had several big victories following his controversial title loss to Duran. Ken had the sensational title win against Laguna. Ken would land very sharp punches to Esteban, and would decked him early. De Jesus would use body movement to win a majority decision, it would be hotly disputed. Great fight, both are great fighters.
Buchanan by decision for me, for reasons already stated. Ken would definitely move fleet footedly and pop the jab, but he was actually quite straight up upper body wise, and was aggressive enough for Estaban to play it to his advantage. I could see DeJesus scoring a knockdown with the left hook.
