Re Duran-Leonard I: How many welterweights in history would've beaten that Duran?

Duran was a ****ing animal who wanted to humiliate Leonard more than anybody he ever fought. If he "let up" or "coasted" it was because he was in a tough fight against a great fighter, not because he wanted to. He wanted to rip Leonard's heart out. I in no way dispute that Duran won and dictated the fight. I just think it was a close fight.
Napoles - Duran is a fight that I can't get my head around. All I know is that it would be an amazing fight.

 

It was a tough fight not a close fight. I dont know how anyone and there are some on this board who say the first fight was close and then turn around and say Leonard was easily beating Duran in the 2nd fight. No way

 

Well i guess i must have missed that beer belly that Duran walked around with during the second fight. Fact is that Leonard was boxing, using his height and reach and had an easy night.

Apart from Leonard vs Duran: Lewis vs McCall II, Lewis vs Rahman II, Ali vs Frazier II, Holyfield vs Bowe II, Louis vs Schmeling II, Morales vs Barrera II (if not for the verdict), Williams vs Quintana II...... do you want me to go on? The list is endless.

And by far the easier win of the two, for the victor.

 

Not many. Like said SRR, Hearns and Burley would, others who would have a shot would be Walker, Walcott, Armstrong and Grffith but I wouldn´t make them favourites.

 

SRR
Hearns
SRL


I'd give Napoles and Gavilan chances. Benitez has an outside hope. Burley maybe.

 

Leonard has said over and over that Duran had nothing in the 2nd fight. I just watched the Benitez//Duran fight when Leonard was announcing and he said it once again. He said Duran was extremely strong the first fight and extremely weak the 2nd fight.



The results were not changed by the fights you mentioned. Just to name a couple of them Ali/Fraizier fought the same style in all 3 fights and Louis/Schmeling was the same style Louis was just better.

 

I personally feel Griffith may have had the style to beat Duran

 

Totally agree

 

Duran would be the favourite no matter who he fought. Leonard's speed, power, accuracy and skill rank alongside anyone ever...and Duran made him miss and pay for those misses.

I'd go as far to say that this is still the greatest ever performance in the ring by any fighter I have ever seen.

 

Leonard said so many things. I look at what's on film.

They were all adaptations of styles and there are plenty more.

 

True. Leonard got off not only on fighting, but thinking he was outsmarting his opponent pre-fight. He said many things about how he "duped" Hagler into the fight and the logistics of the fight. People take that and run with it sometimes. In a way, his own statements can detract from the performance in the ring.

 

Great thread. Duran was also badly out of shape for that fight. leonard never met the real Duran that night

I do agree that if ray had of boxed in montreal, he probably would have won. but it would of beeen extremely close. Leonard was no master boxer like a pep or sweet pea.

 

Leonard has never said anything other then Duran had nothing in the 2nd fight. Everyone involved in the fight has said this. But some guy on East Side Boxing knowd the real story right.


They were not changed styles. They are your desperate attacks to give me a list.

 

Of recent times i'd pick Trinidad, Margarito, & Shane Mosley against Duran at welter