Pacquaio is great but Duran knocks him out at whatever weight you'd like to choose. Speed never troubled prime Duran, he saw everything Leonard threw at him, what's he going to with a smaller less talented less durable fighter in Pac?
That is a fair point. However, I just can't see Manny getting through a peak Duran. It would be a great explosive fight, but I feel Duran's defensive offense would be able to combat Pacquaio with some big counters.
The Duran from June 20 1980, would have defeated Manny. Duran had taken Carlos Palomino's best on June 22 1979, and won on points, even decking Carlos once in the process. If he could take Sugar Ray Leonard's speed in Montreal, he could sure take Manny's. I see Roberto turning it into a street brawl as he did in Montreal, and winning a majority verdict.
He never fought anyone the caliber of Pacman at lightweight. For that matter Benitez, Hearns, Leonard, Hagler. Just for accuracy.
People say Duran was peak or prime according to convienience. I think Manny's speed would be a big problem for Duran. I think he would take Manny's punches, but probably be beaten to the punch. Manny should not get in a fight with him.
Pacquiao's record at LW is poor. He has 3 or 4 stoppages over top 30 LWs. Buchanan, DeJesus 2* and Lou Bizzarro. Non of them are Pacquiao, but they were all good chinned and very good fighters. Duran's KO record is better than most, Pacquiao included. Especially at lightweight. And why did you feel the need to mention those other guys? 3 of them run Pacquiao out of the ring and Benitez would be his best win.
Do not forget, the fleet footed Vilomar Fernandez, who defeated Alexis Arguello on points, in a non title 10 rounder. Roberto Duran stopped Fernandez in round 13, to retain his WBA World Lightweight Title, on Jan 29 1977. He did this by cutting off the ring, and forcing Vilomar to exchange with him. Duran stopped Fernandez with a very potent body attack, and constant pressure.