It was almost a 'done deal'. After Roberto Duran 'whipped' Ray Leonard (June 1980), there was speculation that Leonard would retire. Mickey Duff quickly jumped in, and offered both Roberto Duran (WBC Welterweight Champion) and Maurice Hope (WBC Light-Middleweight Champion) some 'tasty treats' for a bout in the Fall of 1980. Maurice was offered a guarantee of $2,000,000 to defend his WBC crown, but with an agreement on the weight. Roberto Duran was offered in the neighborhood of $4,000,000. Would this have been a better match-up for Roberto at the time. Maurice Hope "Show Me the Money" This content is protected
Maurice was a Consistency Fighter, liked habit responses, Like most Lawless (Terry) Fighters he established and worked off the Jab, once he owned the range he could build on that, Static upper body aggressors like Antefermo and Mattioli could be mapped and dealt with, 3rd and 2nd class opposition would find themselves pinned behind the jab, but as stracey found against Palomino, a class performer who could slip the Jab and work inside could stop that Foundation and Platform to victory being built, If a Motivated Duran turned up i feel he would have the Mathodical Maurice shackled in a cautious approach through his ability to slip Maurices Jab and deny him that foundation to build on, Being more restrained than say Davey Moore, Roberto would probably have to work more to Open Maurice up, but i think a motivated Roberto would do it, probably late, with aggression and Art, Surge and Sage... Reason and Rage...
Maurice, approaching age 29, had just come off his methodical beating of tough Rocky Mattioli. The southpaw, may have been at the peak of his physical stength, but there was speculation of a problem in his left eye, making it difficult to see right hands. A solid 154 lb. 'southpaw', Maurice could handle a Roberto Duran - if Roberto was not on his game, or if he was below B+ condition. In November 1980, Maurice did have a somewhat difficult title defense, in his bruising 15-Round battle in defending his WBC Light-Middleweight Championship versus a very strong and awkward - 25 year-old southpaw - 'Argentinian' Carlos del Valle Herrera 37-4-0 (25 KO's). Maurice was rocked badly in the 5th Round, sustained a cut right eye, and a bruised face. Maurice who faded during the final rounds, had to negotiate through some difficult exchanges to escape with a 'close' but Unanimous Decision win. Maurice did state, the he was dead tired over the final rounds, and had nothing left at the end of the 15-Round bout. Maurice may have kept the right jab out there enough, to frustrate Roberto into a non-comfort zone for 10-Rounds, much like Adolfo Viruet did in April 1978. But would Roberto have the power to stop Maurice over the final 5-Rounds.
A motivated Duran, out to take the WBC Lt. MW title, then later defend against SRL in a big money fight, would probably win.
