Duran at 140 (vs Cervantes Pryor Locche ect)?

Pryor was too sloppy and too easy to hit i have no doubt Duran would beat him.

Locche would make Duran miss more punches than anyone ever did but you cant beat Duran with just defense.

Loi would be a war but for me you only beat Duran in a war if you have a big size advantage over him .

Cervantes had an ATG jab and some great skills he would take rounds from Duran but once Duran gets past the jab its his fight to win.

Benitez beat Duran at 154 and his style would always give Duran problems with that said i think a prime Duran at his relentless best would beat El Radar but it would be a tough fight.

Napoles was at his best at 140 and hes one of the most complete fighters ever if he gets his rhythm going i can see him beating Duran but i can also see Duran not letting Napoles get going and outwork and rough him up inside .In a series lets say three fights i think Napoles wins at least one most likely the first one and loses the next two one by decision and the other by stoppage due to cuts.

 

Well Duran already took out two of the better 140lbers of that era anyway IMO. Mamby and Brooks were very good at 140. Obviously these lot are a whole different kettle of fish, but still, it shows Duran was just as good at 140 as he was at 135.

Pryor should make a great fight, where Pryor's workrate keeps it close, but Duran's countering and infighting prowess sees him wear the chinnier, albeit bigger man down. It'd be one helluva fight.

Along with Napoles, Cervantes is the toughest test here. His sound fundamentals, destructive physicality and ATG jab gives everyone problems and almost beats them, but nah, Duran takes this one IMO as Kid Pambele's stance is a little upright, and Duran could get under punches and go to the body.

Locche goes the distance in a fight he's comfortably out-worked in, Locche's only success is making Duran miss.

Benitez wasn't as refined or filled out at 140 as he was at 154, his skills and natural ability always gives Duran (and anyone else) headaches, but Cholo wins this IMO, Benitez's chin had problems with Curry's power, and Duran had the footspeed in his prime to crowd Benitez effectively.

Loi is overrated IMO, nothing to suggest he'd beat Duran. Although it's a great fight, and I wish there was more film of Loi.

Oh my days this is an amazing fight; Napoles vs Duran at 140, prime for prime. I think Duran's extra bit of power, strength and ruggedness could make the difference. Napoles is gonna attack Duran though, and he's gonna give him hell in the centre of the ring, where some of the most aesthetically pleasing back and forth would take place. Duran's power gives his punches a bit more of an edge IMO, but Napoles was no mug in that area either. Thing I like about this though, is that both had similar styles but polar opposite methods of execution. Duran was the gritty street kid who's aggression was brutish and nasty, whereas Napoles was an artist. Mantequilla's aggression was beautiful and smooth. Nap wins one of three.

 

Duran definitely beats Cervantes, Locche, and Pryor. Cervantes is the toughest matchup for him of those three, but Duran ultimately beats Kid Pambele.

So that leaves Benitez and Napoles.

Benitez was good enough at 17-18 to beat MOST guys, but a seasoned 25-26 year old Duran is most likely gonna be too much for a 17-18 year old El Radar.

So it comes down to Napoles, who is by far Duran's biggest test of this group.

I'd pick Duran because he's more durable, but an argument can be made for Napoles.

 

Great write up! I've nothing to add.