"The Formidables": Who were the greatest fighting machines in history?

I understand where you are coming from, but... I don't see a prime Duran getting frustrated. And over 15 rounds, I see Duran not so much figuring out Whitaker but imposing his will and winning a clear cut decision. Nelson, as much as I liked him, was not in the class of Duran 73-79.

 

I think it would be a closer fight than the Nelson fight(which was an absolute masterclass) but similar in how it plays out.

In response to both you and META5, as far as Duran showing up at his best in certain fights, depending on how motivated he is, that could be true, it could also be an excuse. It definitely did appear true at times, given how he looked in the rematches with Dejesus in comparison to the first fight. At other times, people liked to pin that excuse down for performances like the Benitez fight.

If Duran was so proud, and that is why he quit against Leonard in the rematch, then why do people assume he just wasn't motivated going into the bout? Considering his pride was the reason he quit, I find it hard to believe he went into the bout without any real motivation. He did not look as good I will admit, but he did imply the same strategy as he did in the first fight, just with a much different response from his opponent. In the first fight as well, when Leonard chose to box, he had success. When he chose to brawl, he was usually outdone.

I don't think Whitaker would choose to fight with Duran, and while Leonard showed good movement, clowning tactics, etc to try to break Duran, I think Whitaker's ability to fight off the backfoot is a more effective way of dealing with pressure fighters in a more practical sense. He was the best I've ever seen at dealing with pressure fighters and fighting off the backfoot, due to his movement and especially his constant jab. Duran was great at closing the distance, but with a steady, precise jab in your face, it would certainly be harder to work your game, especially when your opponent is fighting going backwards the majority of the time.

I do agree though, with META5's point that Whitaker could and likely would get caught and dropped at some point due to his balance, as he did a lot. I just see Whitaker having a very distinct edge on the outside in this bout, and I believe that is the style he'd choose to imply against a Duran type. On the inside or in close quarters, I think Pea was as skilled and slick as they came, but Duran held the advantages due to his ferocity and power. Would be a very intense fight I believe, with two guys who were the epitome of machismo, even if Whitaker's style didn't show it as well.

 

Sam Langford

The guy just had everything

 

Also, when I chose Duran to beat the more flat-footed version of Whitaker that fought Ramirez, that was basically conceding that Duran would've beaten the more flat-footed version of Whitaker that fought at WW. 10-5 type Decision for Duran at WW. 9-6 type Decision for Whitaker at LW, possibly with a KD against him.

 

I don't think using an 80's Duran, even a Leonard II, really proves anything. He had already been fighting at a championship level for so long by that point and was fading.

That said, when you discuss champions of the calibre of Whitaker and Duran, nothing is a certainty in regards to outcome. As much as I prefer Duran's style, Whitaker consistently amazed me with his effectiveness if not his showboating. And though it does nothing to detract from his legacy, I still think he lost to Vasquez.

 

Langford was past his best when he beat up Wills but it certainly his best win.

You have a past his best great fighter beating a top 20 all time heavyweight at the top of his game. Wills was never realy knocked out untill he fought Paulino Uzcdun in his last fight.

This win could be compared to Joe Louis's win over Joe Walcott that many consider his best.

 

Really?! That's a first. I thought he dealt with Vasquez quite well outside of the knockdown.

 

I just watched it again yesterday and again gave the fight to the champion. After round 9 (i believe) even Gil Clancy states that Whitaker needs a KD to catch up. The buildup to this fight was as an anointment of Whitaker as P4P champion and all-time great. No one was admitting that Vasquez was argueably the best 154 guy of the decade (and yes I hold him in higher esteem than Norris). Whitaker fights well at times but gets gunshy and resorts to running, turning his back, clinching and spinning JCV. I don't give points for that crap. JCV was the boss, enforced his style, had a much harder jab, the more damaging punches and a kd.

I think the "understanding" going into this fight was that if Whitaker survived, he won. Everyone knew on which side their bread was buttered. If you need a doubt, watch the fight, score it, and look at what the judges scored. Absolute rubbish.

 

Off that topic, what do you think of a Williams/Duran matchup?

 

Williams of course!

 

Roar :twisted: