Is duran slightly overrated as an ATG?

I wish he left lightweight a bit earlier- while his reign at 135 lbs was legendary, he didn't fight elite level talents there since not too many existed during his lengthy reign in the early to late 70's.

He had a couple wins over De Jesus (including their last fight where he stopped him late,) and a big win over Ken Buchannan but that was very early on during his reign and while Ken is a HOF level fighter, I don't think anyone would confuse him or Esteban as ATG level competition.

Everyone talks about his win over Ray Leonard, and rightfully so considering it's one of the greatest wins by any fighter in the history of the sport. But about a year before that he took on a very game and talented Palomino who i thought was one of the best fighters at that given time in any division and beat him up pretty good.

He had a mixed bag of success in the 80's but him daring to challenge himself against much bigger guys during a time when he was up there in age just adds to his greatness.

He could've retired at the end of the 70's before even moving up to WW full time and he would've been viewed as a top 30 fighter. What he did in the 80's just added to an already great career.

 

Duran is still an excuse maker. I always called him Manos de excusas. He somehow didn't train when he lost to the best fighters he ever fought, and trained for Moore and Barkley. How ridiculous is that. Anyone who sees that can objectively say he is saving face. Especially with Hearns, who hit him clean and often. Honestly, that was an outclassing.

 

But does losing to all the guys in the 1980s who were great make him go from top 30 to top 10? Wouldn't beating those guys make him go up 20 spots?? That is my point. I give him top 30 atg also.

 

I think part of his mixed bag of success had a lot to do with losing to Ray and having his confidence affected and people seeing the blueprint. After Hearns lost to Hagler, many people fought him differently. But the mixed bag had to do with the fact he stepped up in class and Benitez,Hearns, Hagler and Leonard were a different breed than the guys he fought at lightweight. No matter what.

 

has the best win of all the fab four was the smallest least athletic and when he beat Leonard he already had losses there was a blueprint out there he also made Leonard change his fighting style

 

He quit on his stool, why does he get a pass. If Floyd, Manny, Jones, Canelo, GGG did such a thing people would rank them way below where they currently do

 

Duran is not overrated at all!

 

None of that changes that you are an excusemaker