How much individual credit do Laing and Benitez deserve for their Duran victories?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Russell, Feb 15, 2018.


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  1. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    At a glance, it looks like they more or less beat the very same man, the fights barely seven months and 2 and 1/2 pounds apart.

    Both Laing and Benitez were approaching being something of idiot savants, phenomenally naturally skilled fighters who relied on their superior reflexes and intuition, doing the complete "wrong" thing both in and outside the ring but still achieving flourishes of success at the very highest level.

    Both achieved plenty on their respective scenes, with Laing surprisingly having more longevity in the game, performing surprisingly well into the early 90's, at which point Benitiz was a husk of the fighter us used to be.

    I know there's a sliding scale on how much credit you receive for beating a legend, and Duran was already pretty high in weight and extended in his career, and his results at the very top of the game were becoming mixed at this point. He still had a few surprises and great performances left in him regardless of dropping these two fights back to back.

    Anyway, what are the differences in these respective wins over Duran? Are there any? Do both fighters deserve roughly the same amount of credit?
     
    Russell, Feb 15, 2018
    Russell, Feb 15, 2018
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  2. PernellSweetPea

    PernellSweetPea Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Benitez a lot since Duran knew what he was getting into and knew he would win the WBC title had he won. Laing? Caught off guard more. But Benitez, Duran trained for it and lost a 15 round decision..
     
    PernellSweetPea, Feb 15, 2018
    PernellSweetPea, Feb 15, 2018
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  3. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    A lot.

    Duran at 154 lbs. couldn't handle hand and foot speed and they had plenty of it.

    Duran looked great against the defensively deficient and flat footed Davey Moore and faded version of Cuevas.
     
    Saad54, Feb 15, 2018
    Saad54, Feb 15, 2018
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  4. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Benitez often stood right in front of Duran and countered him silly.

    Laing used more movement.

    Duran was in better shape and more motivated against Benitez.

    Benitez was much better all around than Kirkland Laing.

    But, Laing did have good hand and foot speed and that was enough against a less than 100 percent focused 154 lb. Duran.
     
    Saad54, Feb 15, 2018
    Saad54, Feb 15, 2018
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  5. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Benitez schooled a a well prepared version of Duran who was really up for it, so that is a great victory even though Roberto had passed his very best. Chocking how quickly it went downhill for Benitez after this one - arguably his greatest performance.
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2018
    Bokaj, Feb 15, 2018
    Bokaj, Feb 15, 2018
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  6. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    What do you think primarily led to Benitez's steep and sudden decline?
     
    Russell, Feb 15, 2018
    Russell, Feb 15, 2018
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  7. Balder

    Balder Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Benitez deserves the most credit.

    Duran could not handle the skill and reflexes Benitez had. This was a legitimate Duran loss.

    Other fights you could see Duran was having trouble making weight or with motivation. But he was up for this, trained hard and still lost.

    All credit to Benitez, and I do believe it was his high water mark.
     
    Balder, Feb 15, 2018
    Balder, Feb 15, 2018
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  8. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Brain damage.
     
    mrkoolkevin, Feb 15, 2018
    mrkoolkevin, Feb 15, 2018
    #8
  9. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Great breakdowns.
     
    mrkoolkevin, Feb 15, 2018
    mrkoolkevin, Feb 15, 2018
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  10. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    What other highly rated fighter did Laing ever beat besides Duran?
     
    JackSilver, Feb 15, 2018
    JackSilver, Feb 15, 2018
    #10
  11. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think the Duran fight was Benitez's greatest effort, though I do recall during the fight that Sugar Ray Leonard said Duran looked sluggish about round 2 or 3. I agreed with that. Laing? that was just a complete throw away, Duran was more interested in scotch at this time
     
    Reinhardt, Feb 15, 2018
    Reinhardt, Feb 15, 2018
    #11
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  12. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Lack of dedication in training. The disipline didn't match his talent. He fought killers starting at a young age.
     
    ETM, Feb 15, 2018
    ETM, Feb 15, 2018
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  13. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    A Duran vs Benitez fight was on the table down at Jr. Welterweight, when both guys trained some up in NYC.
    Benitez wanted the fight; Duran was just neutral about it, being he could see what he was getting himself into.
     
    Longhhorn71, Feb 15, 2018
    Longhhorn71, Feb 15, 2018
    #13
  14. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Probably brain damage. His reflexes and coordination just looked gone against Hamsho. Like you might see in ageing fighters with many wars behind them. He aged 15 years over just two or so, for some reason. Perhaps too many gym wars.
     
    Bokaj, Feb 16, 2018
    Bokaj, Feb 16, 2018
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  15. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    What year was this?
     
    Bokaj, Feb 16, 2018
    Bokaj, Feb 16, 2018
    #15
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