Roberto Duran v. PBF at welterweight

Also, to everybody that took what I said out of context, I was saying that Cotto would beat Floyd, not Duran.

 

Cotto against Mayweather at welterweight is a fight that must be made. It would be a competitive fight, but I'd lean towards Mayweather.

Williams would beat Mayweather. Many people would pick Mayweather based on his reputation alone and forget whats in the opposite corner, which is understandable to a certain extent. But reputations don't win fights. Williams' style is probably the worst possible Mayweather could face. I really can't see how Mayweather could beat Williams over the distance, even taking into consideration his outstanding variety of skills and adaptablity. Williams would be hard to outscore while coming forward or on the retreat.

Williams 116-112 or thereabouts.

 

Agreed on Williams, which, as you know, I used to not agree on. I would lean towards Cotto over Mayweather thought at this stage, looking at Mayweather's weaknesses, and how Cotto seems to have the style to exploit them. Could go either way certainly, it's that close, but on styles, I lean towards Cotto over the Mayweather of today.

 

I have to respectfully disagree. "Good lateral movement" and a solid jab aren't getting it done vs Duran IMO, the Duran who fought SRL and Palomino. GREAT lateral movement is what an opponent is needing at the least i think. Cotto has a good jab but Duran was brilliant in lessening the effectiveness of the jab.

I may be forced to change my mind due to future Cotto performances, but at the moment i truly feel it is a very comfortable fight for Duran.

 

Duran UD

Mayweather would need to fight an absolutely flawless fight and hope Duran isn't completely focused. Duran's speed of foot would allow him to close the distance, much like Hatton. However, unlike Hatton, Duran had great head movement on the way in, was a master with feints, and was very unpredictable in his offense attack. Plus he was technically great in close and stronger than Floyd. He would have roughed Floyd up, mauled him, and got the better of him in close with short, accurate punches to the body and the head. Floyd's single counter shots wouldn't be enough - he's not Ray Leonard or Tommy Hearns. And to be honest, I don't think he's as good as Wilfred Benitez at 147. Duran would outwork him and win pretty comfortably, perhaps dropping him in the process.

 

I never at any point in my post said Cotto would beat Duran, and never tried to make such a case. I responded to your point that Cotto was made for Duran, which was what I disagreed with. I did mentioning Cotto's skills and his ability to move behind the jab and be competitive. As I said, he couldn't do what Leonard done in New Orleans.


Duran would beat Cotto IMO.

 

Where did i say you did?

I know exactly what you said, and it is this point that my entire post addressed.

I stand by my post Cotto is made for Duran IMO and when i said future performances may change my mind, i simply meant on the "made for" point, not who would win. Cotto would have to totally reinvent himself for me to think he might be capable of beating the best of Dooran at 147. Not going to happen i reckon.

I could well be wrong, but it's just the way i see things. If Duran was comfortable with your style he is one of these fighters who is going to kick your arse until it bleeds with absolutely no respite given.

 

"I have to respectfully disagree. "Good lateral movement" and a solid jab aren't getting it done vs Duran IMO, the Duran who fought SRL and Palomino. GREAT lateral movement is what an opponent is needing at the least i think. Cotto has a good jab but Duran was brilliant in lessening the effectiveness of the jab"



I never said good lateral movement and a solid jab are going to get it done against Duran. And the term made for is the ideal style for Duran to feast upon, the best possible style for him to look good against. As I said previously, Cotto isn't made for Duran. I agree that Duran would beat Cotto, but not quite made for him.

Bruno was made for Tyson, and Duran was made for Hearns.

So what are you respectfully disagreeing with?.

 

I still think Cotto is quite an easy fight for Duran. I really do. Cotto might go with him a bit early but i believe Duran would wear him well down and never be in serious danger. Cotto has the opportunity in the future to change my kind of course. I think many in here write off the present brigade far too quickly, but for me this fight is very clearcut.

 

No problems man. I picked you up wrong, and you did me. After I posted about why Cotto wasn't made for Duran, you quoted me and said you disagreed, and then took my points and said why Cotto wasn't going to beat Duran.

It looked as if you were disagreeing with me saying Cotto would beat Duran, which I never said. The content of your post looked that way.

Cotto would do better than Palamino, but he'd get stopped late.

Me and you are always picking each other up wrong.

 

And I'm the worlds worst at quoting at someone, then slightly coming off the rails. And I have been known to change the subject halfway through a thread, sometimes.

 

JT. Have you seen much of Paul Williams?. The 6' 1" welterweight with a wingspan longer than than any of the current heavyweight champions, Wlad included. He's a nightmare for any of todays welterweights. I'd take him to beat Cotto and Mayweather.

 

No worries at all Robbi.

I see a lot written about Williams, i'd better get some of his action and check him out. Can't remember who but someone of authority the other day said he is the best in the world at 147, opinion of course.

 

Very much like Hearns physically. Infact, he's got those right angled, sharp, shoulders like Hearns had at welterweight. Very smooth technically, and he lets the punches flow well from both hands. He's defintley a major player at 147lbs, but doesn't quite have the marquee value such as fighters like Mayweather or Cotto.

His best win was against Margarito. He's fighting tonight on HBO against Quintana, who Cotto previously beat last year.

 

Some good insight there.