Duran V Tony Ayala Jr - 1982?

Never mind that scenario. The fight was actually scheduled at a time before Duran fought Moore. Ayala however was in a mental rehab program and things fell through. Ayala was then slated to fight Moore but of course went the **** route.

So lets say the rehab didn't stop the fight. We'd be looking pretty much exactly at the Duran who fought Cuevas and then Moore. We know now this was the rejuvenated Duran. Ayala was very powerful, promising and highly strung, aggressive and a bit unpolished and wild. Roberto of course welcomes such attributes with open arms. The further the fight went on the more dominant he would become all the way to a stoppage result somewhere after 5.

 

This is a very interesting idea for a topic, and I'm surprised I haven't seen it here before.

I think I'll have to watch Ayala again in order for an informed opinion.

 

I think it's mostly about who you put in front of him at this point. If they are a dangerous/aggressive guy then Duran is on point. If it's a boxer type negatives creep in.

 

I remember Ayala from day one once NBC started showcasing him. Alot of hype surrounding him. He was a talented gifted pressure fighter with power and a temper. Like Moore didnt have nearly enough pro experience to compete with Duran. Duran stops him within 7 or 8 IMO

 

It would be a stretch to pick Ayala over Duran to all but his most ardent fans. On potential I guess you could make a case for Ayala, but it seems to be based upon hope rather than accomplishment. I would favor Duran by decision, but imagine Ayala would gain some respect and have his moments…just not enough moments to win.

 

@laxpdx This is surely your thread!!!

 

For sure. As he aged and went up in the weights movers and slippery fighters were his Achilles. Extremely fast hands - Benitez pretty much stood in front of him and outsped him much of the fight.

At 135 it wouldn't have been near the worry.

 

Duran would not have the stylistic problems in this matchup he had with Benitez and Lang.

Ayala was fast but he would be in Duran's range and provide ample countering opportunities for Duran.

Still Duran would need to be motivated and have his head screwed on right.

Duran by stoppage at some point

 

A ton of hype was around Ayala at the time, but hindsight has not been kind to him (and few, rightly, will give him the benefit of any doubt).


Looking back I do not see Ayala beating any of the top Junior Middles of the time. He was a very natural fighter, but two of the flaws with that was an inability to make adjustments and he also seemed to fight angry, which is not great when you have a McCallum, Hearns, Duran or even Mugabi or Moore as an opponent.

 

Duran beats Ayala in a brutal fight. Would be like Roberto's one with Davey Moore.

 

Duran would give Ayala an absolute hiding. It's not close in any department.

 

Young Ayala too aggressive and far stronger than natural LW Duran. El Torito had brutish power and was unrelenting in his attack. I don't think this would be close at all. Tony would've massacred Duran.