Roberto Duran vs. Julio Cesar Chavez *PRIME4PRIME*

Chavez boxes and dances his way to a decision victory Laing style

 

I think Duran edges Chavez a bit in just about every category. Chavez has got to be one of the most under appreciated fighters recently, though. Legendary Nights has everyone thinking he was a brawler and not a very skilled pressure fighter.

 

135 was the weight where JCC was at his best and you can say the same about Duran. Duran was a tempermental fighter, but highly skilled. Both had iron chins at this weight, but I think moreso Duran. His losses to non elite fighters like Laing later were simply due to Duran's partying ways.

When he was motivated he was unstoppable. I don't think he'd underestimate JCC and would be competitive for most of the fight, but Roberto's right hand was superior to JCC's or anyone JCC has ever fought. This would be the difference in the fight. Roberto gets stunned by JCC's best shots, while JCC would eventually get stopped or humbled. Duran was a beast on another higher level than Chavez.

 

This.

Duran was shades better than Chavez at everything from what I've seen of them both at 135 (where I feel they both looked by far and away their best). If this fight was fought ten times, I'd expect JC Superstar to win a couple and Duran to pick up one by stoppage but the rest would have to be Duran via decision.

 

Is this the kind of fight where each guy leaves a piece of themselves behind forever? Will the loser be "destroyed"?:think

 

I don't think so. Both guys where in incredibly tough fights and managed to pull out great performances after (Chavez fought Rosario then pulled out what I consider a great win over the younger, natural 140 Taylor, while Duran suffered that punishing loss to Hearns yet came back and beat Barkley years later.) I'd say both guys where effected more by age than durability.

 

Duran would handle him, clearly.

 

I'll give JCC the benefit of the doubt and say no. Both were beasts at this stage and just too strong at 135 to be stopped. Higher than 135 it's a different story where Duran would do some serious damage to JCC. I think Duran at 135 fought with more abandon, basically the most physical fighter since Armstrong, while JCC was abit more textbook. JCC would of had his moments, especially attacking the Duran body, but Duran's one punch power in his right hand was enough to knockdown middleweights if he was able to land it.

This is the same man that busted Marvin Hagler's face. I tell you when Duran is motivated he's a different beast. Hardcore fans know this because he was an arrogant ***** and egomaniac that partied like Hatton did, but for decades. Of course it's going to affect the way you fight and no one else to blame but him. Duran himself admitted JCC at 135 might beat him, but he said over 135 "His ass is mine." Maybe he knew style wise which he changed as he moved up in weight and became less of a brawler he probably knew JCC might of been the better brawler, but Duran the technician would eventually decision him or find the range for his right hand and knock JCC out. Maybe he was being modest.

 

i'd give it to chavez....in his prime he was simply unbeatable

 

How hated by the fans would you say this Duran character was in his prime?:think

 

I don't think he was hated on like in the manner Floyd was. I think despite his obnoxious behavior he was a bully type Mike Tyson type fighter before their was a Tyson. Both were intimidating and had their reigns of terror, so despite their bad boy image they made up for it in the ring. I won't get into Floyd, but used him just for conversation sake. All I'll say is I still have alot of respect for him, he took the best fights available from 130-135, but his legacy above that is questioned big time. With Duran and Tyson, not so much. I don't recall even with the No Mas debacle Duran being hated as much or Tyson the same with the Ear Biting incident being hated on neither.

 

This is one of the best "prime for prime" fights I can think of, but Duran was really a top five ATG. I think he'd beat Chavez to the punch and would be able to "deal" with the pressure enough to win clearly but not too comfortably.

 

I think Chavez is at his best at 130 and Duran at 135. I'm going to go with the bigger Duran by decision.

 

Duran beats him 5 out of 5 times.