Is Joe Gans a greater lightweight than Roberto Duran?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Jan 16, 2023.


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  1. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    We all know how remarkable Duran was at lightweight, he was like a freight train that was destroying in his path. But, despite that, I think Joe Gans has a much more impressive resume in the division. He has wins over Battling Nelson, George 'Elbows' McFadden, Jack Blackburn and Kid Herman. These are all ATG fighters, and the ones found on film are quite impressive IMO.

    Duran's resume at lightweight obviously isn't crappy either, and I have him higher P4P, but I think Gans might have a more legitimate argument as the lightweight GOAT. Thoughts?
     
    Melankomas, Jan 16, 2023
    Melankomas, Jan 16, 2023
    #1
  2. RealDeal

    RealDeal Pugilist Specialist Full Member

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    I have my top 3 as Gans, Benny Leonard, and Duran but I can’t ever decide what order to put them in…I go back and forth.
     
    RealDeal, Jan 16, 2023
    RealDeal, Jan 16, 2023
    #2
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  3. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    It's a reasonable opinion. Joe Gans was/is held in very rare air for good reason. He just did his thing so long ago he gets overlooked.
     
    ETM, Jan 16, 2023
    ETM, Jan 16, 2023
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  4. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    I personally have Duran in the top slot
     
    robert ungurean, Jan 16, 2023
    robert ungurean, Jan 16, 2023
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  5. Sooncreate3

    Sooncreate3 Member Full Member

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    Imo, I do have Gans ranked over Duran as a lightweight due to lightweight opposition beat. But if ranking all-time P4P, gotta go with Duran.
     
    Sooncreate3, Jan 16, 2023
    Sooncreate3, Jan 16, 2023
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  6. Terror

    Terror free smoke Full Member

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    I don't rate Benny or Gans as high as Duran because I haven't seen as many of their fights and I am not as familiar with their work, additionally I rate the technique and fighters of their time a bit lower than Duran's. I understand Gans' historical significance and many who saw him recount him as the finest boxer they'd ever seen, but I just can't rate him higher than Duran all things considered.
     
    Terror, Jan 17, 2023
    Terror, Jan 17, 2023
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  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Greater beyond almost all doubt i'd say. Gans took an absolute swathe of lightweight scalps, he was a monster there, it was crazy. Duran is way behind. You can argue it either way for ATG P4P status I think, but just based upon lightweights? The argument for GOAT is between Leonard and Gans with Duran maybe calling out the winner from ringside.
     
    McGrain, Jan 17, 2023
    McGrain, Jan 17, 2023
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  8. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I have Leonard Gans and Duran in that order…but I don’t think there is enough separating these 3 to declare there is not room for debate or divergent opinions. To me, these 3 are the Lightweight kings, put them in whatever order seems best to you
     
    PhillyPhan69, Jan 17, 2023
    PhillyPhan69, Jan 17, 2023
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  9. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yea, on board with your thought pattern, and these are 123 by most punters, personally I have Duran at No1.
    stay safe buddy.
     
    Mike Cannon, Jan 17, 2023
    Mike Cannon, Jan 17, 2023
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  10. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Just thinking, is the LWs the easiest to put down the unaqvical 123 ?
    Is HWs -- Louis/Ali/Marciano
    Is LHWs - Moore/Foster/Charles
    Is MWs -- Greb/Monzon/SRR or Hagler
    Is WWs -- Leonard ( either )/ Napoles/ Armstrong
    Is FWs -- Saddler/Pep/ Sanchez
    Is BWs - Olivares/Zarate/ Jofre
    Is -- FWs Wilde/Lynch/ Canto
    Thinking it might be.....
    stay safe guys.
     
    Mike Cannon, Jan 17, 2023
    Mike Cannon, Jan 17, 2023
    #10
  11. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    You can argue it either way.
     
    janitor, Jan 17, 2023
    janitor, Jan 17, 2023
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  12. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Snap.

    1. Leonard
    2. Gans
    3. Duran
    4. McFarland
    5. Whittaker
    6. Ortiz
    7. William's
    8. Amber's
    9. Welsh
    10. Canzeroni

    I can see Mandell top 10, but that's about it.

    Gans just over Duran based on fights contested in and around LW only, imo. Duran just higher p4p based on their entire careers, for me.
     
    Greg Price99, Jan 17, 2023
    Greg Price99, Jan 17, 2023
    #12
  13. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Snap and agreed.
     
    Greg Price99, Jan 17, 2023
    Greg Price99, Jan 17, 2023
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  14. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    LW or BW, for me, though I have Ortiz rather than Zarate as a lock for my top 3.
     
    Greg Price99, Jan 17, 2023
    Greg Price99, Jan 17, 2023
    #14
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  15. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    1. Duran
    2. Benny Leonard
    3. Gans.
     
    Reinhardt, Jan 17, 2023
    Reinhardt, Jan 17, 2023
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