Multi-weight world champs... did Duran do it best ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012.


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  1. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Let me explain quickly, of all fighters that have won world titles at different weights (3 divisions or higher)... did any fighter ever put together better performances (considering quality of opposition & circumstances at the time) than Roberto Duran did in winning his 4 world titles ?

    Duran v Buchanan for the 135 lbs title (1972).....
    Duran had only just turned 21 when he ripped the title from the excellent & much more experienced Ken Buchanan.

    Duran v Leonard for the 147 lbs title (1980).....
    A lot of people class this as the single best win in boxing history, its certainly one of them, 29 year old Duran gives young, prime, undefeated 24 year old Sugar Ray Leonard his first defeat in one of the best fights of all time.

    Duran v Moore for the 154 lbs title (1983).....
    Past prime veteran Duran destroys young undefeated LMW champion Davey Moore in one sided fashion, stopping Moore in the 8th round.

    Duran v Barkely for the 160 lbs title (1989).....
    37 year old Roberto Duran shocks the world again by winning the MW title from the 28 year old big punching Iran Barkley in the fight of the year.


    Note - Duran was the underdog in all 4 title winning performances, he completely dominated both Buchanan & Moore, stopping both inside the distance... he beat Leonard by close but clear decision as well & beat Barkely by split decision, flooring the much bigger man in round 11 to seal the deal.


    Anybody did it more impressive, everything considered ? :think
     
    Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012
    Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012
    #1
  2. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Fitz versus Dempsey, Corbett and Gardner (who had just beaten Maher, Root and Hart in succession).
     
    Seamus, Aug 16, 2012
    Seamus, Aug 16, 2012
    #2
  3. Legend X

    Legend X Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    I thought the Buchanan fight was quite a close-fought affair, won with blatant low blows, tbh.

    I think Duran was on his way to win fair and square anyway ... but that's not what happened.

    I wouldn't call it a complete domination by any means.
     
    Legend X, Aug 16, 2012
    Legend X, Aug 16, 2012
    #3
  4. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Armstrong did it all in a very limited time-frame....as was robbed of a fourth via a draw.
     
    Longhhorn71, Aug 16, 2012
    Longhhorn71, Aug 16, 2012
    #4
  5. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Really ?... I thought Duran had the fight well in the bag before the stoppage, nothing really close about it.
     
    Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012
    Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012
    #5
  6. Kittikasem

    Kittikasem Guest

    Hearns

    WW - KO Cuevas - crazy impressive

    LMW - decision Benitez - clear win over elite opponent

    LHW - TKO Andries - v impressive considering natural size/weight of opponent KO'd

    MW - ropey KO win over Roldan is the only thing that prevents Hearns from being on Duran's level here IMO.

    ---

    Pacquiao

    Fly - KO Sasakul - highly impressive scalp

    S Bantam - KO Ledwaba - solid stoppage of decent champ

    feather - TKO Barrera - Ring title won in standout performance

    S Feather - Decision Marquez - another p4p class scalp

    Light - KO Diaz - dominant KO over mediocre champ

    LWW - KO Hatton - special KO

    WW - TKO Cotto - domination of p4p class champ

    LMW - Decision Margarito -shutout of larger, dangerous foe

    If you take Pac's 4 best to be Barrera, Marquez, Cotto and Hatton or Sasakul, his record in this thread is serious. Not Duran calibre because there is no SRL, but up there in the vicinity.

    ---

    I can't really be bothered doing anymore, but I bet these are some decent ones too:

    SRL
    Whitaker
    Arguello
    ODLH
     
    Kittikasem, Aug 16, 2012
    Kittikasem, Aug 16, 2012
    #6
  7. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He really has a case. It is sullied a bit though by the fact that fouls played a part in two of them (Buchanan and Moore). But, yeah, really, really impressive wins and performances.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 16, 2012
    Bokaj, Aug 16, 2012
    #7
  8. lora

    lora Fighting Zapata Full Member

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    **** Duran, Gamez can look back and say he did it his way.THE Way.
     
    lora, Aug 16, 2012
    lora, Aug 16, 2012
    #8
  9. lora

    lora Fighting Zapata Full Member

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    But seriously, Harada is good for this

    Mangled highly rated Kingpetch as a young fighter, dethrones legendary Jofre and then gets reamed after a great performance against the excellent Famechon.
     
    lora, Aug 16, 2012
    lora, Aug 16, 2012
    #9
  10. luke

    luke Well-Known Member Full Member

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    massive duran fan myself, love his style. and i saw you say recently you gave bucanan 4 rounds? i though it was very very close myself.
     
    luke, Aug 16, 2012
    luke, Aug 16, 2012
    #10
  11. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    RJJ:s title wins aren't bad either:


    MW: Easy win over Hopkins

    SMW: Close to shut-out of Toney

    LHW: First rd KO of Griffin (of course, lost the first one on DQ)

    HW: Close to shut-out of Ruiz
     
    Bokaj, Aug 16, 2012
    Bokaj, Aug 16, 2012
    #11
  12. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Yes Hearns does have good ones, as does Leonard.... pac vs Marquez kinda ruins it for him tho because it can be argued he lost & both guys were prime years.

    Duran was the underdog in all of his fights... completely & utterly past his best in the latter 2, especially vs Barkely.
     
    Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012
    Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012
    #12
  13. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    I think I said anything from 2-4 rounds for Buchanan is fair... but in a fight that goes 13 full rounds & you win 4 MAX while never winning any round decisively & at the same time lose multiple rounds clearly... I`d say that passes as a domination.
     
    Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012
    Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012
    #13
  14. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Yep, Roy`s were quality too :good
     
    Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012
    Bill Butcher, Aug 16, 2012
    #14
  15. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    None of these touch Fitzsimmons, IMO.
     
    Seamus, Aug 16, 2012
    Seamus, Aug 16, 2012
    #15
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