Duràn(Moore beatdown) vs McCallum (super welterweight)

I agree. Moore was an excellent amateur, winning four New York Golden Gloves and ending up around 96-6. In a favorable sliding doors scenario his career could have been notably better.

 

McCallum decision

 

I don't blame Duran for avoiding McCallum. He was high risk low reward.

He was "green" in that he had only been a pro for three years. But he had a very extensive amateur career and turned pro late - at 25 years old. He was not known much to the general public. He was under the radar but insiders knew he was a huge prospect. Regarding the low purse bids I think we should factor in that Sean Mannion was even much more obsure than McCallum at the time and was pretty undeserving of being ranked so high by the WBA. The WBA ratings were often puzzling.

At that stage McCallum's level of competition was not too high - his best win was a stoppage of Ayub Kalue, who had already been recently stopped by Ray Leonard and Davey Moore.

That said McCallum was 28 and at the peak of his physical prowess. He had excellent boxing skills, good power at 154 and his extensive sparrring with Hearns probably helped in the experience department. He also had significant height and reach advantages over Duran. McCallum also had a very good defense, something Moore lacked in spades.
Whereas Moore was rushed after turning pro and had initial success and hype, McCallum was brought along at a more normal trajectory. Moore won the sprint but McCallum won the marathon.

It would have been a risky fight for Duran.

If I had to wager I would say McCallum would have won a competitive decision.