Sergio Martinez vs Roberto Duran @160

Martinez' size and lateral movement would be too much for Duran. Martinez is really underrated.

 

His style would be difficult for Duran.
But I pick Duran by a gift decision.

 

I would pick Duran. Duran fought well at these weights. He had trouble beating elites, but I don't think Sergio was elite.

 

What Sweat Pea said

 

Martinez by decision.

Aging overweight 160lb Duran waddled around likela penguin and had nowhere near the legs like he did at 135 and 147 to cut down the ring on Sergio, and even if he did, the resulting punching exchange would still be dangerous due to Sergio's Handspeed and southpaw stance.

Duran can beat world class brawlers, Punchers or pressure fighters at 160. He cannot beat an elite Boxer or counter puncher at 160.


Duran is my favorite fighter of all time but it's the truth. He didn't move up in weight the "scientific way" like Pacquiao and pazienza did and had much less mobility and agility at 160 compared to his peak, even when accounting for age.

 

It's a decision , I love Duran , but he's got to make Martinez fight. This would of course be the best fighter Sergio ever fought so I'd make Duran an underdog 3-2, and probably bet on Roberto

 

Sergio was like Hagler not a big MW and both could have really made 154 lbs if they wanted. Duran showed in the Hagler fight he could handle southpaws.
Sergio was good but not elite like Hagler. Duran finds Sergio awkward but a inspired Duran would win pts.

 

Maybe early in his career he was slimmer, but Sergio would have had problems making 160 for a good part of his career

 

Martinez for me too good a mover for Roberto.

 

Duran would have had to be even better and on the ball than he was for Iran Barkley to have a chance at beating Martinez...and everyone knows that Martinez and Barkley were vastly different as fighters. The wolf bane for Duran would have been Martinez's size and athleticism.

 

A good match up.

Martinez was very good, but not quite great middle weight champion. Will he make the hall of fame? I say no, but he's worthy of a nomination for it.

Duran was fantastic at light weight, very good at welter, and just so-so at middle weight.

It boils down to this, Martinez hit too hard and was durable enough not to worry much about Duran's power. He was also a decent mover, meaning the shorter Duran would have a hard time landing on the outside, and would not seek exchanges as Martinez hit harder. I could see Duran trying to counter, switching gears quickly between offense and defense to score, but that would not be enough on the cards...I think

I think Martinez scores a late round stoppage over Duran.

 

I just don't see the case for Duran. He was not a big puncher at 160 and Martinez wasn't easy to stop. So is he going to hold the middle of the ring and counter punch Martinez to a decision? Can't really see this either with Martinez speed and size advantage. He would have his moments, but Sexy's combination of size, skill and speed would be too much in the end. Martinez by UD.

 

I was going to pick Martinez by points and fight with everybody. Guess not. Duran simply wasn't as great at MW as lower weights, and he liked a fighter that was willing to come to him in the trenches. He doesn't have that here.

 

Although I agree that this was not Duran's best weight, and Sergio's movement might give him problems, this is certainly a fight that Duran could win. To suggest that Sergio is Hall of Fame material is ridiculous. He had one good win (Paul Williams II), and a few decent wins over fringe contenders at best. But for Kelly Pavlik's drinking problems, Sergio (who got the title shot after a loss and a draw in his two previous fights) never would have had a piece of the title.