Roberto Duran vs Floyd Mayweather Jr. at 135 - 12 rounds

Duran was a master of defense as well as offense who could stand in one spot and make guys miss one punch after another. (And frequently did).

Hatton couldn't even make a single adjustment to Floyd hitting him with the left hook all night long while he was coming in. Comparing the two is an insult to Duran.

Duran by KO, since we were talking about him at his best weight and prime years, or if PBF has a good night and guts it out, by UD. Duran outbullies, outworks, outhits and roughs up PBF.

 

Hattons allot stronger than Duran, he has defense but it isnt as refinned as the great Duran's nope and throwing 600-800punches a fight is quite allot for someone who doesnt throw combinations

 

Hatton stronger than Duran? Please. Hatton was getting bullied around by Luis fricken Collazo.

Hatton might throw 600 to 800 punches per fight but he throws very few combinations.

 

What did you see them arm wrestle or something? Duran's longevity at the higher weights is proof of the man's physical abilities. If Ricky ventures out of his pet division his strength has no impact whatsoever.

Duran at lightweight was nearly a perfectly balanced fighter.

People talk of Roy Jones or Sugar Ray Leonard being the most talented fighters ever but I dont consider them on par with a lightweight Duran. Most people just look at a fighters athleticism and speed which whilst an important criteria in gauging a fighters talent, they are not the only ones.

Duran had other intangibles such as a natural fighting instinct, a great chin & durability and great ring smarts. Plus he had above average skills, speed, power and physical strength for the weight.

Mayweather is one great fighter but he loses 9 times out of 10 against a prime Duran. And the first Castillo fight isnt proof this would happen, its the second where Mayweather was uninjured and better prepared but still only just dealt with what JLC through at him.

 

Roberto Duran, Why? Because he is in another Class.
(Caliber, Not Weight)

 

Duran was a MONSTER at lightweight. Castillo beat PBF in the first fight and Castillo couldn`t carry Duran`s spit bucket. Please, no Hatton comparison`s here. Duran was an extremely underated defensive fighter as well. He could slip, parry and work his way in with his jab. If PBF thinks he could lay on the ropes and play shoulder roll cutey defense with Manos de Piedras... He`d break him in half. PBF wouldn`t have the stomach for a war with Duran. Remember that at welter he was able to `rough` up a true welter in SRL. He would force his way in on PBF, put him on the ropes and keep him there. Floyd`s fight would be trying to survive. Duran 135 in 1978,close to unbeatable... I give you Joe Gans, Benny Leonard;maybe.

 

Even today.. the speed of Duran's reflexes are underrated as evidenced by this thread.

You guys ever seen or heard of Duran vs Leonard in Montreal. Do you think Leonard was slower then PBF? He was probably faster. And Duran made him miss his punches......all night long.. while coming forward and pressuring. If Castillo can give PBF problems, who is LIGHT years behind Duran but utilizes the same style, it won't be close. You could only frustrate Duran / make him respect you if you had power, Mayweather is not strong in this area. Mayweather will have to put on his track shows and focus on making it 12 rounds, if he trys any fighting at all its over.

A motivated Duran by KO.

 

Hatton is nowhere near as strong as Duran. How long do you think Hatton would have lasted with Hagler, Moore, Barkley etc???

Hatton is a third rate copy of Duran, the only similarity being that they are both pressure fighters. Duran was stronger, quicker, had better movement, and in his prime he had one of the best defences ever. Hatton.... defence????

Hatton has one great win on his CV, and for me there was nothing in the fight until Tszu quit.

Duran isn't given the credit he deserves for his speed. Most people on this forum seem to remember the SMW version of Duran, 15 years past his prime and 25lbs over his ideal fighting weight. He would have cut PBF down to size in ten rounds, broken his spirit and the most likely outcome for me is a TKO.

 

Mayweather by decision ... he will be aware of Duran's power and will not allow Duran to control the tempo of the fight ... Floyd keeps his distance ... uses his defense effectively and potshots his way to a decision victory.

I think it would be a good fight but Floyd will keep a safe distance and i'm sure that he's longer than Duran.

 

duran competitive but clear. i used to think he'd wear down floyd , but it was more a case of me underrating pbf. for the folks bringing up floyd-jlc I as proof of floyd's succeptibility to pressure, keep in mind that the type of fighters duran struggled with throughout his career were slick movers. mayweather is the cream of the crop as far slick movers go. though i think duran's agressiveness would see more rounds come his way.

 

Especially at 135 Duran wouldn't catch him!!!

 

Hatton is a league stronger than Duran, he weighs in 155-160 on fight night ripped to shreds, and pushed around strong fighters like Tyszu, Castillo, Collazo and Mayweather. You say Collazo pushed Hatton around when Hatton was the 1 pushing and forcing Collazo to the ropes. Now Duran is way better than Hatton but Hatton is stronger

Whereas Duran wasnt that strong above 135, but his skill and ability saw him dominate his opponents, but strong in the clinch? Not so much above 135

If you dont think Hatton throws combinations you've seen very very few of his fights, he throws LOADScombinations in most of his fights

 

Jose Luis Castillo was about half as fast and skilled as Duran, and even if you want to go by the 2nd fight it was still relatively close. Floyd struggles with skilled pressure fighters.

Hatton is fast, strong, and aggressive, but he is seriously lacking in pressure skills. The same with Corralles. Castillo was a good pressure figther, hell, even Jesus Chavez gave Floyd some problems.

Floyd isn't potshoting Duran, that is ridiculous. On the outside Floyd is better, at mid-range Duran is better, on the inside Duran was better. He would clearly win this fight, more so at welter than light, but at either way he would take a clear decision.

 

hatton didn't push around Collazo or Mayweather at all.

Those fights really showed he doesn't have what it takes physically to make for the jump up in weight, he's a mediocre welter at best.maybe if his skills had been better....

 

Duran clear but very competitive ud. He'd climb all over Floyd as people seem to forget just how damn quick Duran was. The Buchanan fight is on youtube and worth checking out as comparisons can be made.