Duran wouldn't really have a chance. By the time he stepped up to 154 and higher, he no longer had the legs, speed of movement, or energy to really force the issue on defensive stylists, which means he's stuck playing their game, and Kalambay played that game about as well as anyone.
Duran cheated us out of a glorious thrashing by fighting Barkley and Leonard again. Sweet Reggie would have turned the trick as well.
Duran's defensive skill and toughness saves this from being a brutal beating of an old man. But Kalambay still does what Leonard did in the rubber x at least 2 (in terms of effective landing, that is).
Kalambay pretty much shout out Barkley, Sims and McCallum. Duran would be more savvy then anyone Kalambay faced (Graham more awkward) but was more of the Barkley/Sims level at that stage (evident by his fights with then) so he'd be no more competitive with Kalambay IMO, but would give him more to think about when he applies himself. 10-2 decision. And what a beautiful fight it'd be. Two of the greatest right hand counter punchers of all time. Both complete fighters (Kalambay less so, but Duran well past his best and naturally smaller) and it's unlikely we'd see a knockout so it's pure science all the way, wily Duran trying to combat Kalambay's jab, Sumbu trying to time Duran's feints, and Duran's offence versus Kalambay's defence. Duran was a solid contender, Kalambay one of the true elite of the post Hagler era. If anyone does get knocked out though it's Duran, maybe if Sumbu times him with one of those choppy uppercuts.
