Who wins? the GOAT (title bestowed upon by many) in his best weight or the relentless, fast thinker, intelligent and bloodlusted wild beast who just about ended Palomino?
Robbi will enjoy somewhat similar height, reach, power and handspeed advantages that Hearns did against Duran. Robbi ain't gonna stand still and get bullied to the ropes without throwing back and he has uppercuts and hookercuts to slow down Roberto's negotiation to the inside. At his very best, I think there's a possibility of Robbi catching Roberto like Tommy did. Genuinely, Robbi could do everything that Hearns did and more and where Duran is one of my favourite fighters and has a phenomenal chin, I saw what Tommy did to him and thinks that Robbi could set him up and catch him with something he doesn't see coming in similar fashion.
Tbf that wasn't prime Durán, he was also fighting Hearns fight (by trying to box him and counter him)
Stylistically, the fight plays out the same or very similar. Hearns alike Robbi had height and a great jab, with a great hook to the body. All time right hand and handspeed for days. No version of Duran isn't going to have to deal with uppercuts, slashing hookercuts and a frightening right hand dealing with Robbi. Don't get me wrong, Duran has many things that could trouble Robbi - but he has to negotiate his way to the inside and keep Robbi having to fight him off, as opposed to offloading with his own offence. I personally think that Robbi was a hybrid blend of Leonard and Tommy. He has the footwork and jab to maintain his reach advantage and has the uppercut, left hook, handspeed and retaliatory mindset to dissuade Duran from speeding his way to the inside.
As great as Duran was, especially in that savage run at lightweight and early welterweight, I’d still pick prime Ray Robinson at 147. Duran against Palomino was a monster, aggressive, smart, brutal inside, but Robinson was something else entirely. Taller, faster, sharper footwork, better punch variety, more natural at maintaining distance when he wanted, and had one-shot KO power even at welterweight (unlike Duran, who was more about overwhelming guys). Duran would definitely make it rough early. He’d have success getting inside, roughing Robinson up, landing to the body. But over 15 rounds (assuming old-school rules), Robinson’s speed, angles, and precision would start to break Duran down. Duran’s defence was brilliant but he still got touched by quicker, sharper punchers, and Robinson’s combination punching at 147 was surgical. I see Duran giving Robinson hell early and maybe even winning some of the middle rounds on pressure alone, but by the late rounds, Robinson would be landing cleaner, harder shots and pulling away on the cards. If it’s 12 rounds, it’s a closer but still clear Robinson decision. Over 15, it’s a definitive Robinson win, maybe even a late stoppage if Duran gets reckless chasing the fight.
