Assuming he's on his A-game and not taking the night off, I'd have to go with Duran. Too fast, too relentless, too slick for Cervantes.
Duran easily. Tony, given a reach advantage, might trouble him with his jab, but he isn't Hearns. And his defense was shoddy. I don't think Duran would have much trouble slipping in and out, countering, and gradually wearing Cervantes down.
Cervantes certainly has that style that makes an interesting affair, but it's not the type of bout where Duran has plenty of trouble finding his man. Cervantes scores with combos and counters early, but the pressure takes Duran home thereafter. Duran's defence is always a factor also.
Pretty much sums up my thoughts, Cervantes was good but Duran was a level above. Takes over in the mid to late rounds with a possible late TKO. Sounds about right.
Interesting. Both beat Hector Thompson, Esteban Dejesus and Saoul Mamby, and lost to Benetiz. Duran spent very little time at 140 lbs.....moving up basically to welter. This is a fight that should have happened. Cervantes by upset SD win in 15 rds.
A matchup of the party animals,plus the fact that Panama was once part of Colombia and had to gain its independence,so some serious nationalism going on.Duran by UD.
