Probably would mirror the actual bout to a degree. Duran's faster hands & straight up the middle combo's would keep Cuevas on the defensive & off balance. Duran would not knock out a Prime Cuevas though. Duran UD. But a prime fearless Cuevas always has a punchers chance.
Duran is better all the way around, same outcome as the 1st fight, Cuevas let a 14 yr. old Tony Ayala Jr. nearly beat him in sparring, LOL!
If Roberto had taken on Cuevas instead of Ray for his title it would have been an event at the time, Duran by Ko, maybe later like round 7
We debunked the fantasy sparring beat down to a teen Ayala Jr. years ago as complete dishonest drivel. Never happened. Prime Cuevas would be a handful for a motivated Duran and way too much for a lethargic version. Cuevas gets much less respect than he deserves on this forum. He was no one dimensional Slappy, but a fearsome wrecking machine in his heyday that crushed bones and caused concussions. Duran is a rightful legend, but Pipino is not that far behind.
Cuevas in 1980 would have been tougher for Duran than the 1983 version. You never know with Cuevas, but the style of Cuevas was great but Duran was a master with a guy like Pipino. I think Duran stops him late in a grueling fight which then might have wore out Duran for his later career. But Duran wins late.
Don't all laugh but i openly ponder if Cuevas himself actually turned back the clock a little against Duran like Duran himself did. This was absolutely a Duran on par with the one that beat Moore. It's the same Duran for me. I'd never say Cuevas was as good as he had been and he had also been very inactive but i think he fought a damn good fight this night. IMO the actual fight shows me Duran would have had too much skill and durability for Pipino at their respective best. Cuevas is an IMMENSE puncher with a fine chin but Duran is just so refined and tough against a guy like this.
