Prime Henry Armstrong vs Sugar Ray Robinson

He has to be referring to peak form ....because Roberto Duran does not have the resume to be No 1 .......and yet no fighter looks better on film

 

Robinson by decision...shoot, THIS might have been the fight of the century!

 

Best. Not the GOAT. The best.

 

Ok, thanks for the answer

 

Do you think Montreal Duran could beat Sugar Ray Robinson?

 

“Montreal” Duran couldn’t beat Hearns let alone Robinson.

 

Yes, I do.

Robinson had distinct frustrations throughout his career vs pressure fighters and issues imposing himself vs the physically stronger. He arguably lost the rematch to Marty Servo, who applied plenty of pressure. He named one of the Fritzie Zivic fights as his hardest fight. He struggled with LaMotta in their earlier fights. Arguably lost to Georgie Abrams, refused to mix it up inside vs Gavilan, drew with Brimm and lost to Turpin. Drew with Basora, got bashed up by Ralph Jones, went life and death with Castellani, he lost the series with Fullmer, and he struggled massively, and lost, to Carmen Basilio.

Stylistically, this gives Duran a great chance, given that he's a better fighter - by some distance, IMO - than all of them. He can close off the ring, feint and bait Leonard into fighting him, and he can beat anyone below MW up close. He had the capacity to break up his rhythm to land what he needed to, and he had the great lead hand to disturb Robinson's work. He did show a great chin in his fights with Leonard, Hagler, Iran and Hearns - I do appreciate that getting KTFO'd isn't exactly a great showing of your chin, but taking flush combo after combo from one of the best punchers ever is. And he showed an ability to keep up with Leonard, who was a bit quicker than Robinson.

Don't get me wrong, I pick Robinson. A great bjg man beats a great small man and whatnot, but yes, Duran definitely can win. I'd give him the best chance out of anyone below MW.

 

Very cool post, George. I love to imagine prime Hagler against SRR, too.

 

You're right, I know that for a fact.