Sugar Ray Robinson .Vs. Roberto Duran

If Galivan upset Sugar Ray Robinson Duran potentially could too if SRR wasnt 100% or he fought the wrong fight. Robinson would win the series and would win on their best nights but Duran could potentially pull the upset.

 

I didn't say anything about Robinson beating Duran in the same fashion as Hearns. In fact, I never said anything about Robinson beating him at all. I was simply responding to Natonic's post which was:

I addressed the fact that Duran was past his best years by saying:

 

I don't think it's fair to say 'if Robinson wasn't 100%.' We're talking both at their best.

Also, Gavilan ran Robinson close but was never robbed or anything like that. Infact most people had Robinson winning both fights closely but clearly (the second more clearly) except the Cubans who were naturally a bit biased.

 

Although he was past his prime against Thomas Hearns, he was still fairly competitive, and Tommy dusted him rather easily.

You made it sound as though Duran was actually competitive during the fight and not competitive as a fighter going into the fight based on his previous fights. Moore, Hagler, etc.

 

Don't worry, not all of my post was directed at you, I tend to ramble

 

Well prime for prime SRR beats anyone at 147 for my money, but if he was inexperienced or not at his best then Duran pulls it off where most fail.

But who knows maybe SRR wouldnt have seemed unbeatable at 147 if he faced Burley

 

No worries...

 

But Gavilan didn't upset Robinson.

 

I believe Robinson would win inside the distance. Roberto was tough at this weight and would give a good account of himself, but I do think he would go down if he threatened and Robbie went all out. He'd do what Mr. Leonard failed to do, which was beat Duran down and out.

 

Robinson takes this for me, though it would be competitive and could potentially be very very good, i dont see how it cant be. I hate to say it, ut Robinson may overwhelm him late on, maybe overwhelm is too strong of a word, or he takes a decision

 

Leonard was a good puncher in his own right and he never came close to even decking Duran let alone knocking him out.

 

Leonard was a very hard hitter at 147 - everytime i watch his first fight with Duran, i'm shocked at how Duran, at times, takes a flush combination with full bodyweight behind it, without staggering.

Still, i'd say Robinson is a bigger puncher; i can't imagine Leonard stopping an ultra durable middleweight like Fullmer, let alone with a single left hook. But we also know that Robinson will fight aggressive, as Leonard did in their first meeting. This will give Duran opportunities, but in the end i think Robinson is just too big, fast and good for Duran. I don't think Duran looked fast against Leonard at all.

 

nobody could beat ray robinson on his best nights at welterweight or middleweight

 

Robinson was inconsistent at middleweight. His ability to beat guys like Fullmer, Turpin, and Basilio in rematches cemented his greatness at the weight. He was a five time champion he came back from adversity and accomplished a lot at the weight. However, this proves that he was very beatable at the same time. I'd take Greb, Hopkins, Hagler and Monzon, all to beat him H2H on their best nights.

Robinson's most meaningful, best nights, were all rematches. Most of them anyway. I'd take the fighters I mentioned to pull out decisions over him.