Henry Armstrong vs Roberto Duran

Wait till someone who hates Duran comes along. It'll make the average Rocky thread look pathetic.

 

This forum is literally built around these fighters at times lol.

 

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This man was unbelievable. I don't see anyone beating him on inside, even Duran to be fair. That doesn't mean that Duran wouldn't win, but he'd need his whole repertoire.

 

Armstrong the greatest of them all in terms of pure accomplishments in my book, but I like Duran in this matchup. Armstrong was more skilled than people give him credit for - he beat some good boxers and stylists. But personally I think Duran was just that bit cuter and more skilled in close quarters. Duran's problems tended to come against quality counter-punchers.

And while Duran was a natural Lightweight, he did win titles all the way up to 160 against one BIG Middleweight in Barkley. Armstrong has amazing weight-hopping achievements, too, but he was really little more than a Light-Welter even when he was holding the 147 lb title. Wasn't unusual for him to defend that title weighing around 140 or less - in fact that was the case for the majority of his defences. Duran may well have just a slither too much natural strength here.

Duran UD, maybe even late stoppage. But Armstrong the GOAT!

 

Duran isn't going to lay there like a washed up Ross. I guarantee that.

 

Agreed with every word, only I have Armstrong third all time.

I have Robinson #1 and Duran at #2.

 

Duran did everything Armstrong did just a smidge better. The reason is Duran cut better angles with which to throw his punches and hit a tad harder so they counted for more.

 

Some fight this. Two of the greatest Fighters that ever stepped into a ring. The one difference between these two is Duran's ability to time and counter an opponent. The way he was able to land his right over Hagler's jab still astonishes me even now.
With Armstrong's work rate and sheer courage, Duran is going to get hit... lots but the cleaner, more accurate, smarter punches are going to come from Duran.
It may come down to what the Judges like to see and I hate to pick against Armstrong but Duran gets a tight decision.
In a trilogy Hank definitely wins one.

 

I like Henry Armstrong in this one. The man’s punch output was insane and was an absolute terror In every weight class he ever fought in and I believe was simultaneously champion in three at once ?

 

Actually this video and others are why I'm convinced Duran wins this fight. It would be more competitive than it would be close imo. Armstrong likes to bully his foes and just wade in. He gets sold slightly short on his defense maybe and rolling with punches, but look at this video; many times his just barreling in, chin tucked, hands not up, trying to smoother and throw punches. Does anybody actually think he can win a fight this way against a peak Duran? Armstrong wouldn't even be the bigger or stronger guy here, and though that didn't stop him against other excellent fighters, none of those fighters had the combination of speed, power, defense, angles, IQ Duran had at his peak. Look I don't want to say he stops Hank, but, unless Hank really switches things up some, it would look horrific at points. Hank lack of another option means this continues to play out round after round. The only way I see Hank having a chances is if he just tires out Duran and frustrates him, and steal the last half of the fight. I don't see it, but maybe.

 

Good post.

Duran UD.

 

I can't see a shorter smaller man than Duran backing him up.

 

It's not that simple though - look how he controled his opponent with his elbows, head and chest. It's not just him trying to impose his strength on opponents. He was extremely skilled at using opponents momentum to his advantage. His head movement is also unbelievable, he got rarely hit here against great Ross, his countering ability is also remarkable. Not to mention that his workrate is higher than Duran's.

If strength was the only Armstrong factor, he would never have beaten fighters much bigger than him. Duran's among the most skilled fighters Hank ever fought, but he wouldn't be too big for him.