Roberto Duran vs Alexis Arguello @135

In the window that the fight almost occurred, most observers thought Duran would have won.

 

I had the pleasure of seeing both in person, I saw Duran's first fight in the US, fighting Benny Huertas. I remember how they stood toe to toe throwing bombs until Duran knocked him out in 1 rd. Arguello I seen a few times the one that sticks in my mind is the Chacon fight, I was covering the fight for Ring magazine. Arguello was just relentless and Bobby tried everything to survive, not to say Bobby ran no that was what I remember Bobby slipping and sliding. Good memories, sorry got off topic. Duran, cos a young Duran was vicious, Arguello while a big puncher needed room to do the most damage, I don't think Arguello would do well in the trenches. He liked to catch you with hard shots coming in. That's a fight I would have liked to see.

 

Great post. :good

 

There is a famous photo in the boxing mags of that day with Duran holding a picture of Arquello.....with Duran's fist clinched.

 

Duran KO round 8, but he eats some terrible bombs that shorten his time at the top.

 

Duran TKO 13 in a great war. Obviously, Arguello would put up a helluva fight, but I think Duran's speed and strength are too much for Arguello down the stretch.

 

Duran is quicker and has better timing than Arguello.

Arguello was so successful because of his relentless attack and his pinpoint timed punches that could do devastating damage.

Duran is better at everything here. He's the stronger, more durable, quicker and better timing. He has superior defence. I'm unsure on who has the advantage in power but I don't think a hail Mary shot is deciding this anyways.

I say every round is close, but Duran wins them all pretty much. At first narrowly but as the fight wears on he wins them clearer until stopping him round about the 13th.

I think Arguello will have some big momentum changing successes but not enough to make the fight winnable, enough for the fight to go down as a classic though.

 

Shame it never happened. Duran wins a classic fight late on.

 

As many of you have said this would be a war, I think the key and why Duran would win, would be because he would make it an inside war, and use his great defensive skills and inside fighting game to secure a win. Not sure how long the fight would last, but I do think Duran eventually stops Arguello somewhere in the mid rounds.

 

I just don't see a war here tbh.. a motivated Duran with futch and arcel make sure Duran is all over Alexis like white on rice. In that type of fight, Alexis has no chance and it's not much of a war. What's worse, at a distance and in boxing range, Duran is still better. I think Alexis does well enough sure, but I wouldn't say it would be a war.

 

I used the term war when I probably should have used the term "mugging"

 

This is a stylistic nightmare for Alexis. He was actually great at lightweight but imo is made to order for Duran.

Alexis is a slow starter and takes his time to size up his foe before timing him better and better and slowly achieving domination. He likes to take his time and dissect hisw foe. He can be a bit methodical and isn't the fastest of hand and foot, which he offsets with brilliant timing (particularly as the bout progresses) and big power in just about every punch he throws. He has plenty of height and reach and loves fighting from a distance, tho he is decent in close especially for such a tall rangy fighter.

Duran is the faster starter and can be extremely aggressive when it is to his advantage. He will give Arguello no time at all to settle in here. He will put the pressure on early and will be aiming to fight at close quarters and batter Arguello's (tall rangy)body as much as possible. Duran, especially at 135, can also hold his own in outside exchanges.

Arguello would find Duran inside often, and would be forced to fight at a apce and range not to his liking whatsoever. Alexis would be forced to punch it out inside and would i ndeed land some hard blows andf have some success at times. Duran would slip or ride with most punches at longer range and never be seriously hurt. His durability is unquestioned.

Arguello can also take a great punch but by around about the 8th round he would be about done. Duran's sustained body attack combined with well selected blows to the head would have taken their toll. Arguello would be gallant in defeat and will have given it his all, as always. He just would not be able to keep the animal that is Duran at 135 off him for long anough periods.

 

Did Futch ever work with Roberto? I can only remember Ray and Freddie Brown.

 

Awesome post.:good