Latin Welterweight Tourney: Rd 1: Roberto Duran .Vs. Luis Rodriguez

It's very, very conceivable that Rodriguez takes this. Even if Duran gets to him, Rodriguez would have some points racked up and is definitely lasting the distance. Rodriguez, with his pure boxing, mixes it up close with body shots but does not hang around there, which of course would be a mistake. The only big plus i see for Duran here is Rodriguez' much used jab is not the fastest, whereas Duran's both counter and lead rights are laser like.

Duran can win this, but it would be one of the hardest fights of his career stylistically, he needs to not let up at all, and keep working constantly, which he is capable of in this matured welterweight state he would be in.

Now you lot decide.

 

Duran, winner of it all.

 

A close decision for Duran..Rodriguez would give him so much trouble, he'd avoid him from then on out like he did Buchanan.

 

I think Rodriguez was very capable of beating Duran. In fact, I'll go ahead and call the upset in this one.

 

Rodriguez UD15.

 

Despite my pick of a close decision for Duran..I agree with your call on second thought.

 

Rodriguez takes this imo. Louie`s legs and mobility would be key here, he was one of the most fleetfooted fighters ever to step into the squared circle and I can see him frustrating Duran to no end with his style and mobility. Luis wouldn`t be out of his element though on the inside if the fight went into the trenches, he would more than hold his own with Roberto and I can see him unleashing his patented rapid fire two fisted attack to the midsection on Duran in close before quickly getting back out of his range with those legs of his.

And for a guy with his lanky build Luis was deceptivley strong, can anyone here ever remember seeing him get outmuscled on the inside? Hell he even pushed around full fledged middleweights while he himself weighed in around 151-154, the man was very strong physically thats for sure. He was also a very versatile fighter as well and could adapton the fly to just about any style he encountered, the man was a truly great fighter and is deserving of whatever accolades he gets.

My guess is that Roberto would try to impose himself quickly on Rodriguez but Luis would bide his time and see what Duran brings to the fray before ad******g accordingly and taking the upper hand. Should Roberto switch tactics Luis would simply get on his bike while poking out that accurate and well timed jab of his and re-evaluate what needs to be done to counter what Duran is doing. Luis wins a convincing one on the cards, scores about 8-6-1 or 9-6 in his favour would be my guess, very bad style matchup this one is for Roberto imo.

 

Nino Benvenuti was very fortunate to catch Luis with that payoff shot in the 11th round back in '69...the best single punch of Nino's career...up until then I was amazed at Rodriguez's performance.

 

The argument for Rodriguez is mighty compelling here.

If I may try and put out another point of view though, as futile as it will probably be.

I was pretty much going to say from the start how bad a style matchup this would be for Roberto at the weight. I wanted to pick him but I was struggling to see how and then I read RB's post which put more doubt in my head.

But something that struck me about Rodriguez is though he was a masterful boxer, he had balls. He was never, ever afraid to mix is with guys bigger then him and his overall skills and physical ability allowed him to get away with that. From the footage Ive seen Ive rarely seen him standing to far out of range at the ready to jump back in with a jab or right hand over the top with those big wings of his.

I do think though Roberto likes someone to come at him who has balls. Not in a gay way, but he likes a fight to get down to a battle of machismo, which he just about always won.

I think speed of hand is going to be a factor also. Someone please correct me if Im off the mark as I havent seen a hell of a lot of LMR but even though he had amazing technical skills and was very accurate his handspeed was not something that jumped out at me when in general play. A good feinter and slipper like Duran could very well exploit this..Duran's hands werent exactly slow I dont think its crazy to suggest Roberto could outspeed LMR in enough exchanges and then stifle Luis' inside work with a timely clinch.
I also think that Duran's mid section is far from weak, if the Barkley fight is anything to go by, this may well somewhat negate the damaging effect of LMR's body blows.

I still am not entirely sure how he does it...I just like to believe Duran from the first Leonard bout could do it against just about any welter there has ever been.

 

Great post. I think Duran takes it in a very, very close decision. Rodriquez would outbox him for periods, but Duran's laser like right hand (oft used phrase) would allow him to close the distance and win the later rounds. 8-7.

 

Excellent post! Rodriguez has an even money chance here, imo.

 

I think Rodriguez would win a very close decision.

 

Second.

good to see you back breaking it down RB.

 

Thanks McVey, i've just logged in for the first time since yesterday morning and read some great posts here. Raging Bull sees it as well, the argument for Rodriguez that is.

Looks like i'll have to seize the moment and take this opportunity to pick against Duran.

Luis Manuel Rodriguez on points.

Crazy i've never thought of thid fight before, and he's probably one of the best men for the job in my view.