Roberto Duran vs. Benny Leonard

Ive heard some argue Leonard can take this..with his stellar record I can see an argument.

Its just from what Ive seen on film of both (which is just about everything of Duran's and very little of Leonard) I cant go past Roberto.

Frankly Duran is probably the best overall fighter I have seen ever. And I think at his best he beats anyone that weighs around the same as him.

 

From what I've seen of Leonard he'd make it tricky but Duran's aggressive speed of hand and foot and less straight up style finds him the openings to score plenty of ripping shots to the body and head. Leonard would be slippery and score nice counters too but the intensity of Duran would be too much for him

Leonard loses a wide UD or gets stopped late

 

ROBERTO DURAN Destroyes Benny.

 

I think a young swarming Duran is all wrong for Benny. Benny likes a slower more thoughful pace and Duran would deny him that.

Id say a wide but competitive UD for Duran

 

Leonard probbly by decision. Duran is not going to out box Leonard. I'm not underrating his boxing skills there just not as good as Leonard's. Duran's only choice will be to try to prusure Leonard. Leonard would pick him apart from the outside. Benny may very well frustrate him like Ray did.
Same would go for a Duran vs. Whitaker match up.
I'm not hatting on Duran hear he is an all time great. However he is not as good as Leonard or Whitaker.

 

Duran by late TKO.

The only lightweight who is close to 50:50 with a prime and motivated Duran is Whittaker

 

I think Leonard does enough to edge him. His experience kicks in late.

 

Benny would school him.

 

With what's available on Leonard it is too much of a leap of faith for me to pick him.

 

I cant pick anyone at LW to beat Duran.

 

I have Leonard as the best lightweight ever and Duran as the #4 but this is a tough match for me because there’s limited Leonard material. I’d have to imagine he shaded it due to superior skill and his temperament. He hit hard enough for Duran not to just be too aggressive for him.

A vote for Benny.

 

Leonard can outbox Duran, but I'm not sure if he can survive him. His chin wasn't the best. He got KO'd in a few fights and was badly hurt in others. The scenario I like is Duran to win by KO while behind on points.

 

Prime 135 Duran is too complete for anyone. If Whitaker fought a really smart fight, he'd be the only one with a chance.