Would've been one hell of a battle, that's for damn sure. I'd probably favor Duran in a barn-burner on the grounds of him being the more effective in-fighter, which is where the majority of this bout takes place. Definitely a close, and very exciting affair though.
Do you think Gavilan could have success as the aggressor, pressuring Duran and making him back up, and being busier?
I think Duran is the better overall and more effective fighter, with no disrespect to Galivan. The Montreal fighter is 1 of the greatest WWs ever.
I don't think he's going to be backing Duran up, though I think there will be a feeling out process in the middle of the ring with both fighters trying their hand at different tactics before getting into their groove. I think that "groove" for both fighters ends up being a clash of heads, and the fight would be dictated at close quarters from then on out. Gavilan did indeed have a high workrate, but I've never seen more effective and busy in-fighting than what Duran displayed against Leonard. I think Duran's more damaging work, mainly to the body, would end up being the difference, as I don't think Gavilan was as punishing inside as Duran, though he'd be able to hang with him for a multitude of reasons.
I'll take Gavvy by close, probably split decision. He was a more skilled infighter than Leonard, and wouldn't be out of his element whenever Duran got him on the inside. I think he'd counter Duran with uppercuts and body shots (which Duran was somewhat open to) and come on strong late to win a decision.
I think people are forgetting that gavilan had one of the best chins in boxing, he fought ray robinson TWICE and gave him problems, i think gavilan's speed would be a little too much for duran, but gavilan lacked punching power. Gavilan UD.
I echo Sweet Pea's way of thinking, this is so close its unreal, two of the very finest inside men ever, in terms of combination puncing and unrelenting fighting both are of the best also. We could just kop out and give it to Gavilan because its more his weight than Duran's, but Duran beat a prime Leonard at welter so that doesnt hold much water as an excuse. I don't know who to pick. Gavilan does have that special type of boxing ability to do the job in that fashion imo, not a 'running' type out boxer but more of a skilled boxer who could work on the outside and put together the best type of combos. But i must say that the best Gavilan combinations were the ones that were up close, and i believe that if Gavilan's choice is to try and box, he will be dragged into a fight with Roberto who closes the gap so well at his best with that laser-right hand. Thats when we see possibly the best quality inside fight ever, when they both go at it in the pocket, oh what a spectacle this would be, to simply admire, the skill, the ferocity, the subtleties, this is the cream of the crop. Because this fight would ultimately be decided at close range, i slightly lean towards the more harder hitting (and underrated in that regard) Duran, in his best periods he's rolling with what is coming his way and he's punishing his opponent all the while. He could take the decision, but i must say that if there is one man ever that could be considered to relentlessly outwork Duran it would be Gavilan, i personally wont vouch for it happening and will pick Duran.
Gavilan's chin was not left out of consideration, it just plays no part in my analysis of this matchup, as I, nor anyone else, claimed that Duran would be hurting him. Also, what part would Gavilan's speed play really, considering the bout would be fought in close for the most part? He certainly wasn't faster, or as fast, as Leonard, even if he was a better and more active in-fighter.
Gavilan's mid-range combinations are where he would have his best success IMO. When he threw a bursts of 3-5 punches they were delivered with precision and speed, also power. Very similar in style to Robinson's when you see brief footage of him at WW. Any fighter who hangs in there with Robinson over the distance on two ocassions at WW is handy indeed. By all accounts, Gavilan did give Robinson a better fight for the title when they rematched. And it was hardly a dull affair, thus it supports any douts if he wouldn't last the distance with a prime WW Duran. I think Duran gets his way more often than not throughout the contest. Gavilan had a better jab, but he was hardly the type of fighter to get on his bike and strictly control the action at long range. I can see Gavilan having brief success at long range. But Duran's feints, angles, and countering his way inside gets him into his office where IMO he was better than Gavilan.
