Prime Roberto Duran 1977 vs Prime Julio Caesar Chavez 1987

Duran was physically stronger than Julio, so yeah, I'd venture to say he could bully him on the inside. Duran physically bullied Leonard for 15 rounds, while Chavez was being pushed back at times by Taylor on the inside. Duran was much stronger.

If anything, some are actually overrating Chavez in this matchup.

Duran was better by virtually every measure. Stronger, faster, more powerful, better defense, a better counterpuncher, a higher ring IQ, JUST as good if not better stamina, more versatile in that he could box far better from range, more varied and creative in his attack.

What argument does pro-Chavez fans have? "Better chin." Yeah, that's irrelevant considering Chavez didn't have enough power to seriously hurt Duran.

JCC is vastly outgunned by Duran.

 

I think Julio gives him a run for his money. At 135, he was peak, so good technically at his infighting, hard and ruthless, not at all the entitled, party-hardy fighter he became later. I really think he is a head to head nightmare for anyone at this weight. I may still shade to Duran, but it's a shade, a sliver...

 

It's a great competitive fight. Duran had a little more flair and versatility than JCC imo and 1977 Duran was at his absolute animal peak at lightweight. Chavez was a very good technician in his own right with a great chin and left hook to the body particularly, but might be outsmarted by Roberto here. It goes the distance and I like Duran by relatively close decision.

 

That was after julio had fought for 14 years and lke 90 fights. That was the end of his career. Julio was coked out, drunk, rich as hell, slow, weak. His frame was frail already.

 

This is 135 we are talking about. Taylor was strong as hell. The reason people dont look at his career as one of the best is because Julio destroyed that.

 

Duran had one of the quickest right hand leads of all time. Along with Ali. If your in the pocket your in trouble. That is why most lightweights ran or got destroyed. Even at the higher weights great fighters like Ray Leonard conceded that staying away from Duran was the best recipe. His hands were very quick at or near his prime. If you look at the fight in Montreal Duran's handspeed is equal to one of the fastest ever.

 

We're also basing alllllllll of lightweight Chavez on ONE fight... the Rosario fight. Which was a great performance, but then ask yourself with a straight face would Rosario last 11 rounds with a prime Duran? I think the answer would be f**k no.

Outside of Rosario, Chavez didn't exactly set the world on fire in the Ramirez fight.

As opposed to a man who dominated the division for the better part of an entire decade.

 

I'm well aware of how good Meldrick Taylor was pre-Chavez. And I'm well aware that he was physically stronger than given credit for. I dunno if Taylor would be one "of the best" Chavez or no Chavez though. His defense was too leaky.

But Duran was stronger than Chavez, and if anybody gets forced back in the matchup it wouldn't be Duran.

But the great thing is, Duran wouldn't HAVE to back Chavez up to win. He was more than masterful enough to counterpunch Chavez as he comes in.

Chavez HAS to come forward to win this fight, cause he wasn't in Duran's league as a counterpuncher.

I'm not buying for a second that this fight would be close.

Duran would more-less handle Chavez similar to way he handled Palomino.

By the late rounds, Chavez, like Palomino, would be on the receiving end of an ass whuppin.

 

Hmm was Duran that good as a counter puncher? 1977 Duran is coming in for the kill.

 

"Was Duran that good of a counter puncher in 77?" Geee, I dunno... was Joe Louis a decent puncher?

Posts like this are proof that a lot of posters here have either A. Haven't seen enough of lightweight Duran. or B. Have no idea what skills and counter punching are.

Guys like you probably think that you have to fight like Floyd to be a counterpuncher.

Duran was only the best aggressive counterpuncher that ever lived. You asking "was he that good of a counter puncher?" is the type of question that's unacceptable on this side of the forum.

Go to the general section where you belong.

 

That wasn't prime Chavez.

 

Chavez is being overrtaed? How exactly? nobody's picked him to win to my knowledge, some are saying he gives Duran a good fight which isn't overrating hit all, i personally think he'd have his moments as well.

 

No, I don't think I will. LOL
Yes. I havent seen too much of Duran at 135. Just the big fights on youtube. That's why I asked. Didn't know you had to be ****ing Bert Sugar to post here.

 

Where is this Duran mythology coming from?

At 135 he was all offense, relying on his unpredictablity, physicality, and great power