Take Leonard and Hagler out of history

Duran may have never decided to go up to ww when he did, fueled by his intense hate of Leonard.

 

No, it would hurt weaken Tommy's resume, as although he lost two drew one of the three fighters, that would been taken out his resume, he gained credit in all three fights.

As for the first to beat him, well if he stayed too long at 147, I see Curry and the Iceman shocking the Hitman in 83/84.

As long as it takes to unify the championship, so probably 1981. 147 was a strain for Tommy to keep making

Minter 1980

Obelmejias 80-82

Sibson 82-84

Roldan 84-86

Hearns 86-88

Duran could beat Benitez in 79/80 at 147 IMO, but probably not Tommy.

Duran will still be remembered for the 135lbs reign and brilliance and disaster in the 1980's.

 

My opinion over your #3 and/or #4.

While i agree that Hearns is a stylistic nightmare over Duran, i disagree that a "hungry" Duran can't find a way or motivation to win that fight. All i'm saying is, it's not a certainty that Duran will loose to Tommy if the circumstances changed. Duran is mentally and physically strongest during his first 2 years in WW, Tommy "might" be in for a battle had he fought Duran at that point.

The Leonard win semi-sealed Duran's greatness and he knows it. Without that, whatever fight / fighter that will replace that fight is unlucky.

 

Hearns would probably have been regarded as greater had there been no Hagler and Leonard, although his legacy is remembered more for fighting great fights with them both.
Tommy would have stayed at welterweight a little longer and maybe until 1983, and unified and then Curry and McCrory would have had the similar history with each other as they did.
Hearns would then move up and beat Benitez in 1983 and knock out Duran in 1984 as happened.
Middleweights? Vito to 1981
Hamsho 1981-1984
Roldan 1984-1985
Hearns 1985-1988 then Tommy moves to 168 and 175, and will not be as weakened moving up and down in weight as he did.
Duran could not beat Benitez or Hearns. One is too quick and would box and use his speed and defense and win a decision (Benitez), and Hearns would stop Duran at ww in about 4 or 5 rounds
Duran would do that same thing he always did. Lose to the top legends but beat guys like Davey Moore and Barkley.

 

Duran held his lightweight titles until 1979. Doesn't mean much that he was fighting above lightweight here and there since even before his first title at lightweight. The pre-Oscar Golden boy wasn't exactly just some guy floating around the division when Duran committed and vacated the lightweight title. Sorry. He couldn't stand Leonard. He went for the welterweight title, both the abc title as well as the real, linear title that Leonard had. Would he have done that if there were no Leonard? Maybe. Maybe not.

 

Duran was really struggling to make 135 by 1977, and although you are correct that Duran kept his Lightweights belts until 1979, his last fight at 135 was in January 1978, after that he weighed at least 140lbs, and it was pretty obvious he had intentions to fight for a title at a higher weight.

 

There was a light welterweight belt, you know. All I'm saying, and I don't think it's insane, is maybe he wouldn't have gunned it to fight the real welterweight champion...if it wasn't Ray Leonard. If Ray Leonard wasn't there getting the star treatment in America that Duran thought himself more deserving of and being that motivation for him.

 

I think that was the plan (140), but after Palomino (arguably his finest ever performance), Duran knew he could compete in the more lucrative Welterweight division.

 

Hearns would have been considered a greater fighter if Leonard had simply not retired.

Tommy would have eventually have won a rematch and had he got a rematch with Hagler, instead of Leonard's appeal allowing him to jump the queue, then Hearns would have beaten Marvin too.

 

Title or no title; Hearns, Benitez and Leonard were better pay days than Sany Hyun Kim, Saoul Mamby and Antonio Cervantes (although that would of been a brilliant fight).