Roberto Duran at 135lbs

I think Whitaker has the style to beat Duran at lightweight. But in an overall h2h sense I still rate Duran higher.

 

The only LW I'd choose over him is the man in my avatar. I've discussed this matchup FAR too often to even remember my points anymore, but in a nutshell I believe Whitaker's ability to fight off the backfoot behind his piston jab(one of the most accurate ever) would offset Duran's game by not allowing him to close the space very often, turning him into a stalker instead of a heads on attacker as he was better at. In the instances that Duran did catch Whitaker or Whitaker was in range, I believe Whitaker's own skills and craftiness, along with his ATG defense, would allow him to hold his own before pulling the fight back out to a distance.

Otherwise, I agree with your thread. Duran is arguably the best fighter I've ever seen on film at his best, I just think personally Whitaker at his best would be a bad stylistic matchup for him.

Me, Robbi, Stonehands, Manassa, etc have argued this to no end though.

 

I would however, favor Duran at WW, because Whitaker, while able to use the same upperbody movement, used a much more flat footed stance. Better footwork at LW, though he was still able to fight off the backfoot at WW. Just better balance and more nimble on his feet at LW, and overall better physically.

 

Definitely Duran IMO, much more versatile. Armstrong was a tank and never stopped coming, amazing stamina, but Duran was just more complete and overall skilled on the inside, as well as more versatile, and Armstrong's come forward style would play into his hands all night. Same thing with Pryor, who's style, while swarming, is at it's best at mid-range, and the more he came at Duran the more he'd be in Duran's grasp to hold the fight at close quarters, where he'd hurt him with body shots.

Ike Williams is the only one I see hanging with Duran in mid to close range at LW, due to his firepower and explosiveness.

 

It's precisely Duran's body attack that would have him winning this one for me. Armstrong was more of a head hunter, and wasn't as skilled inside the clinch or as crafty with his inside work as Duran. Duran's uppercuts to the body and head would land often against the crouching Armstrong. I also believe Duran's angles would befuddle Armstrong at times, or at least cause him to get reset after getting tagged with clean shots.

As for strength, not really sure, Beau Jack was able to out-muscle Armstrong in their bout, and what I think it really comes down to isn't strength, but rather skill, as I just see Duran out-maneuvering the more one-dimensional Armstrong. As for speed, Armstrong had some of the most awkward footwork I've ever seen, I wouldn't classify him as particularly fast, unless you're talking about his hands and the fact that he never stops coming.

I think the fight would take place in the middle of the ring a lot, with Duran doing the shifting and angling to throw Armstrong off balance, all the while scoring points in the process, especially with body and head uppercuts to the vulnerable Armstrong. Armstrong did often bob and weave(he had to with his open style), but his defense and head movement was nowhere near as good as Duran's.

I dunno, I just don't see it as close as you do. I just see Duran as a much better technician, and while Armstrong's strength, power, and relentlessness would make it competitive, Duran just had the style to make Armstrong pay more often than not.

 

Whitaker is the ONLY lightweight in history who would have a realistic chance at beating a prime, lightweight Duran.

Duran woulda gave Chavez the works. Not a knock on Julio, he was an awesome fighter, but everything he did Duran did better.

I dont think Floyd coulda beaten Duran either.

 

That could be, I just don't know why you're so quick to assume Armstrong is the stronger man and would back Duran up often. Duran did go on spells where he'd work less, but in the times he decided to engage with Armstrong I see him getting the better of him for certain. Duran was the one who proved himself up to MW and outfought bigger WW's like Leonard, Palomino, Cuevas, etc.

I see your point about it being an in fight, I agree for the most part. I just feel that in the break ups Duran would land clean shots, and would out-maneuver Armstrong in certain spots in the clinch and whatnot. Armstrong's pace would probably be the only issue here, but that's where Duran excelled. To be honest, I don't know why it has to be assumed that Armstrong lasts the distance given all the clean shots he'd be taking all night long. If that doesn't happen than I could see a 9-6 or so Decision for Duran with Armstrong's workrate winning rounds, but I'm not sure he could stand up to that type of punishment.

 

SRL (imho) beat Duran at his own game by slugging with him but lost a questionable decision, and he absolutely outclassed him when he decided to move around and fight his own fight. Duran struggled with mediocre opposition even at 135 and fought guys with less than 5 fights AFTER he won his belt. Several times.

He's seriously overrated. Pernell schools him, JC Superstar smashes him into a puddle.

 

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Good point, I think I agree with everything. It would be one hell of a fight and pretty close too in my opinion.