Prime vs Prime : Roberto Duran vs Manny Pacquiao

Duran never handled speed well. He did better when the guy fought his fight and he could work his advantages, but when the guy beat him to the punch he lost and lost sometimes very easily. Some of his losses like to Leonard,Hearns and Benitez were lopsided, and it was because of speed.

 

Duran in 4. No contest. Duran too strong. And savage.

 

The offenses of these respective combatants would make this a war to remember. Pac has speed, whereas Duran has the edge in defense and overall ability.Over 12, Duran eeks out a decision. Over 15, Duran finally wears down Pac-man and TKO's him late.

 

Duran has better defense than Pacquaio. That would be telling if they fought. Pacquaio doesn't have Leonard's smart movement to out-hussle Duran on the move behind the jab. And he certainly doesn't have Hearns' jab, height and reach, combined with power at long range to control Duran and keep him on the end of his punches. Duran is in with a fighter around his own height who doesn't have sufficient movement and the boxing ability to make things easy. Duran has the ability to draw Pacquaio into a fight and I feel that Duran is better balanced with offense and defense. I think he's better inside and has lovely head movement in there to make Pacquaio miss often.

Duran never had too much problems with Leonard's speed in Montreal. And trust me, Pacquaio isn't quite as fast as Leonard and doesn't have the same power either. Pacquaio would forced into a war and can you really see his speed troubling Duran if Leonard's didn't? I can't.


Duran late TKO.

 

As much as I love Pacquiao, Duran is just another level above him. Duran was not only a savage fighter he was also a very smart boxer with good defense and counterpunching abilities. Pacquiao would be forced to get into a slug fest, which would be his undoing against a guy like Duran. It would be similar to the first Morales fight. I think Duran was just too versatile for Pacquiao and I see him winning this on points. But man what a fight this would have been.