Tony Ayala jr. vs Roberto Duran

Tony Ayala looked to be absolutely terrific as a young fighter. As a result, I hesitate to pick Roberto Duran, a fighter who was at his peak as a lightweight, in a 154-lb. bout with a young Ayala.

- Chuck Johnston

 

Hey, it's Tony Ayala's Brother... welcome to the site.

 

We will never know what Tony had for sure against quality competition like Duran, all I can say is he looked extremely strong and tough at that weight, had a solid body, and did not back down, and could take a punch, Duran could beat most JMW's at the time, but I think McCallum would win a UD over him, maybe Jackson Ko's him, he couldn't beat hearns anywhere, and Norris would present a big problem with his Power and boxing ability, so I take him over Duran, but we just don't know enough about Ayala, either way, I think he puts up a much tougher fight against duran than any of the ones Duran beat at that weight, it would be very Close with no one getting Knocked out, Duran would have to box and try to win a decision.

 

Exactly who did Ayala ever beat, or even fight, who was even close to Duran's level? His most impressive win was...maybe Robbie Epps? Ayala nearly got knocked out in the first by Mario Maldonado. All hype. Duran, Hearns, and Leonard would have had no problem with Ayala.

 

It would be a pleasure to watch!

 

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I find it hard to palate Ayala as legitimate when he absolutely never beat anyone of note. Promising but by no means legitimate. Legitimate = having proved it.

 

Duran is a beast. Duran KO

 

Ayala could fight. Like Benitez. he was training with his older bros and dad from a very early age. I think Duran, if motivated, would win a decision. Ayala had power, strength, toughness, speed and a killer instinct. His defense was porous, so Duran would have plenty of countering opportunities. I don't see it as some blowout. Duran's smarts and slickness would be his biggest asset here.

 

Ayala may have been able to fight, but my point is this was never truly proven Saad. We have too little to go on to be overly sure. He could have turned out a sensational fighter, but he absolutely could have crashed and burned. It's up in the air.

 

I think Duran`s defense and counter right hands would have an impact on Ayala after awhile. Duran could probably stop Ayala maybe not early but he could bust him up. Duran wasn't the monster puncher he had been at Lightweight but he could still crack.

 

That was after 16 yrs in the slammer

He was very active at the time leading up to when he was to have fought Duran (1983)

Duran had recently lost to Kirkland Lang and beaten a shot Cuevas.

This isn't prime 135-147 Duran and this isn't post-prison Ayala.

This is a good matchup.

Duran wins, but it is no one-sided blowout.

 

Probably Duran wins a close, disputed decision over Ayala. Don't think that Tony would've beaten Davey Moore had they fought, however.