Golovkin vs Duran.

Golovkin at his best is far closer to Hearns than Barkley/Moore, imo. Far more skilled and polished than Barkley & Moore, more power in most of his punches too. Much better footwork, balance, and punching mechanics. Of all the comparisons I can think of on the spot, Golovkin reminds me of a more aggressive (and occasionally reckless) version of Arguello with better feet, tbh.

 

Yeah, Golovkin's has amazing technique, footwork and balance, but he's robotic and pretty slow. Slower than Moore and Barkley imo. My point is Duran would see the punches like he did against Moore and Barkley and he would be able to land easily like he did against Moore and Barkley. Against Hearns he was totally befuddled by his reach, and speed. He couldn't get inside without getting lit up. Golovkin couldn't do that.

 

Very fair points.

 

I agree. GGG just better than Moore and Barkley. 83 Duran (against Hagler) was also better than 89 Duran (against Barkely). 83' Duran will give GGG problems but at the end I think GGG wins a close decision.

 

So you're saying Duran quit because Sugar Ray was making him look bad, and he was only doing it for two rounds??!!. Prove that. Duran must be the only championship level fighter to quit because his feelings were hurt. LOL, that's not why fighters quit! If it was, we'd see that type of stuff all the time.


Since your a huge Duran fanboy, let's take him out of the conversation for the moment. How many fighters that started out at lightweight or in the 130's won the lineal title at middleweight? Please answer, and you'll see my point.


GGG's legacy which is still in the making is based on star talent ducking him, beating just about everyone he faced faster then the field did, having 18 middleweight title defenses and counting...just two away to tie Hopkins, never being floored by a punch and owing the best KO% in the history of the division.

 

Freddie Steele,Mickey Walker,Rodrigo Valdes,Al Hostak,Carmen Basilio all started in the 130's.I like Golovkin here,I think his body shots slow Duran down enough for him to take command and a unanimous decision. What star talent is out there to duck Golovkin ?It's a poor division. I agree with the previous poster, Duran was being embarrassed, he wasn't hurt by Leonard, he couldn't accept the humiliation.Some get used to it!lol

 

Golovkin, unlike Hagler, is a natural pressure fighter. He wouldn't give Duran the time and space to breathe and think like Hagler did for the first 12 rds or even Barkley did. The question for me is whether Roberto would last the distance or not.

 

I dont need to prove anything, we have the fight on film. Duran was not hurt at all at any point in the fight.

Looks like mcvey's already answered for me lol I never knew Steele started at 130.

You have a cheek calling me a fanboy. There's been posters on here telling you to log of such is your ridiculous opinions.

Star talent? Where is this star talent ducking Golovkin?

I'm not denying his impressive stats. I'm saying his competition has been so garbage it will always taint his legacy.

 

Good post!

 

YES!!!! DURAN QUIT BECAUSE HE WAS BEING EMBARRASSED! Duran quit out of frustration.

 

So you can't prove he was not hurt. Didn't Duran say he had stomach cramps before?

I asked for one other championship level fighter who quit because he was being clowned for 2 rounds. You name none!

Benitez frustrated Duran with his style, and hmmm.... the match was above 150 pounds and Duran lost. Anyway, Duran didn't quit here. Why quit against Leonard in a high stakes legacy type of match unless your hurting?

I would certainly say that Canelo is a superstar. Wouldn't you? He ducked GGG period and lost middleweight belt because of it. Even McVey will tell you that.

GGG is probably the most avoided fighter in years.

 

Do you also believe Duran didn't say No Mas? That's what he said.

" Duran originally said he was ill, then he claimed to have a shoulder injury. A later incantation of the story is that the referee misunderstood him and he never said "no mas "

Which is it? Illness, a shoulder injury, cramps? No Mas! Sugar Ray was taking it to him.

 

Duran actually started out at 119 pounds and it took a few years for him to reach 135. Moving up from lightweight to middleweight champion has been done, but it's rare and has not been done since Valdes. A long time ago. Nearly 40 years ago!

Canelo is a star and very marketable one at that. You said it was a clean duck, and you're correct.

Boxing when you start can be very humiliating. Duran was a veteran when he lost to Sugar Ray. T Are you suggesting Duran an aggressive bull type didn't have the psyche to take two rounds of getting hit with showmanship? Which other championship level fight quit this way?

Duran has changed his story on quitting. See the above post.

At least your pick makes sense, GGG over Duran @160

 

I don't believe Duran was ill or injured but I do believe he wasn't in the same condition as he was in Montreal due to having to cut so much weight in a short space of time. This was basically confirmed by both camps. Duran knew he wasn't going to win and would only receive more embarrassing from Leonard so he quit. He never actually said No Mas. He said "I'm not fighting this clown".

You have yet to prove to us Leonard was hurting Duran.

There is none that I can think of and it's irrelevant.

Canelo is not a Middleweight.

Possibly. This does not change the fact he has a terrible list of title defences on his resume that taint his legacy.

 

When Leonard hit him as he walked to his corner he actually ignored the punch!