You think Duran gets that treatment? I rather feel there's this annoying "the fighter that proper boxer fans like"-air about his fans. Then in the next breath they show their lack of boxing knowledge when calling Leeonard a "shoe-shiner". It's also the same crowd that think themselves smart when claiming that Ali hardly had any technique or fundamentals whatsoever. Dilitants. But that doeasn't detract form the fact that Duran is a great fighter that deserves to be admired.
Very well put Bokaj.I sometimes wonder if half the kids who claim to love him have actually seen anything other than his two or three top fights. I make no secret of the fact that Leonard is my personal #1,but I have total admiration for the other three,and rate them all very highly,but there still seems to be terrible hate for SRL from Duran fans in particular.
Roberto Duran, though an 'All-Time Great' at Lightweight does lose some points, as the following facts, Not agreeing to fight Ken Buchanan in the June 1973 rematch. Refusing to fight the rematch with Esteban De Jesus - in anywhere but Panama. Avoiding Rodolfo 'El Gato' Gonzalez (WBC Champion) in 1973. Not challenging WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Antonio Cervantes.
But who can't you say that about, though? Robinson turned to down a career high purse for a fight with Burley and never fought the Cocoa Kid for example. Just about every fighter has gaps here and there. Too bad he didn't fight Cervantes, though. That could have been a nice fight. Also think De Jesus would have given him a harder fight in the rematch if not for the humid heat of Panama. He was giving as good as he got until he gassed IMO.
Duran, outside of the boxing community is the hipster's choice, opposed to the too mainstream Leonard's and Ali's. But then in turn is ironically the mainstream choice amonst boxing hipster internet experts, who are a bunch of hipsters
I'm not sure actually. I think he's the "default" choice for #1 Lw but I don't think it's a title he deserves. Leonard is the greatest LW and Whittaker, for me, is the best LW. He has an amazing victory over Leonard and top class victories over Moore and Barkley. He isn't in my top 10, but he's not far off.
Duran's ledger at lightweight is better than Pea's, no doubt in my mind. They're both right up there of course, as are Carlos Ortiz, Ike Williams, Joe Gans and Benny Leonard.
How does the Duran from the first Leonard fight do against the other fab 4? He didn't seem to be the same anymore after that fight (probably because he had the cash now)
yeah he's a greater LW. My point was that if a list is based on resume etc Leonard is my number 1. if it's based on skill/h2h Whittaker is my number 1.
As you've probably gathered mate,people making generalistaions is one of my pet hates,so I have to put my hands up here and say sorry. My bad.Meant to say "some Duran fans"
Not too bright are they? Yeah, let's go to great lengths to diminish SRL as a fighter and expand upon everything he isn't, everything his career wasn't and everything his achievements aren't. But Duran's up there with the GOAT fighters for... Beating SRL? :huh :rofl Pretty overrated win in that case. Based on their own logic. And um, having the 3rd or so best title reign of the 1970s Firmly behind Carlos Monzon and arguably Napoles. And No, he didn't "move up to fight Leonard" -- He'd been there, over a year, and did it out of necessity as his days of making 135 were numbered.