I love Duran but some of these posts do raise some interesting questions. I'm not sure where to rate him. Helluva fighter but perhaps a little overrated. I think it was Gerald Early who once posed the same question in the book "Reading The Fights". He asks if it"s possible that Duran, as LW champion may have been overrated. He bases this on the level of Durans competition and whether fighters like Bizzaro, Fernandez and Viruet would've extended the likes of Benny Leonard, Henry Armstrong, Joe Gans, Ike Williams or Carlos Ortiz. Food for thought..if nothing else. Duran certainly is an all time great but how high should he be ranked? I guess I'll leave that to more knowlegable enthusiasts.
Ive never had an issue with Duran's age, so much as I've had an issue with his size. The fact is Duran who at his best weighed 135 beat SRL at 147. The same SRL who is considered the 2nd best all time at that weight. No I agree, he could never have beaten him multiple times, but how could anyone honestly expect anything different. Beating him once was one of the best achievements in boxing, beating him more than once is unfathomable. Hell even the great 6'1" Tommy Hearns couldn't do this.
Exactly. That's why when Hector Camacho knocked Sugar Ray Leonard out it proved he was the better fighter PERIOD! Some clowns try to make excuses as if Leonard could've beaten The Macho Man if he was younger Bull****! He entered the ring and got his asswhipped by the better fighter. There`s no way shape or form than Ray Leonard could ever be placed over Hector Camacho according to your criteria . He lost to him. A LOSS. Camacho actually stood over that little ***** and Ray was scared of him. I was embarrassed for Ray Leonard. Good clarification.
a Loss COUNTS as a Loss, but a Loss ISN'T Always a loss. there are many factors that a fighter legitimately losses because of. a Robbery Injured during fight Coming off an injury or sickness (moreso past than presnt), fighters have way more time to heal now a Young Novice an Older past his best fighter fight too far out of your weight division (moreso past than presnt), i.e Walker v Schmeling loads of factors can ACCOUNT for a Loss, don't be so Pigheaded and at worst rediculous about such factual matters!
@ MAG1965 - Couple everything i said with the fact that Duran was always best at lightweight poundage. Duran's best years were the 70's, hell, he was super impressive right outta the gate in '68. It's not his fault there weren't many good fighters at LW during his prime. A prime Duran from the mid 70's (even at mid/high 130's) would've stood a VERY good chance at beating a prime Sugar Ray Leonard. When they met in 80, SRL was a young slick 24 year old fighter with serious skills and a good 10 natural pounds advantage. Duran was pushing 30 and up in weight. 6 years and 10 pounds are relevant factors in pro boxing. Also, let's not forget the fact that he legitimately and genuinely beat Leonard the first time. You can't expect a 30+ year old guy who is arguably past his prime and a natural LW to move up 2 and 3 weight classes and continue to dominate. Leonard, Hagler, and Hearns were all naturally bigger fighters than Duran. They were also all younger, and possessed ATG talent as well to boot. You can't deny these facts. After 1980 it was a downward slide for Duran. Fact - his only losses were to naturally larger fighters, and after his prime.
What do you think would've happened if SRL had dropped down to LW in late '78 and they'd fought then?
EXACTLY, all these thinks often determine an outcome, there are many factors as I also mentioned in my post too. :deal
Camacho knocking out Leonard proved nothing. Ray had not had a win in 8 years and had not fought in 6, which was that loss to Norris. And Ray was 41 that month and looked washed up 10 years before. Camacho had his chance to be great like Ray and didn't beat the prime fighters he fought like Chavez and Delahoya and Tito, which was an easy lopsided win. I like Hector at 130 and always thought he was great at that weight, but to say he even compares to Ray in any way is false.
duran is a fighter that you kinda have to watch to appreciate. his record doesn't quite convey the monster that he was but in the end, if you watch his footage and are not impressed than that is fair and you're entitled to that opinion. i watch his footage (say kobayashi, buchanan, dejesus 1-3, leonard 1, hager, moore, barkely) and i can't help but put him in the top 10. probably the hardest to place elite level boxer in history
I hate to disagree with a guy like Jorodz.................................................................... so I wont. I agree verbatim with him here.:rasta