It's pretty well known SRL 1 was his best performance but which fight was his second best performance? I know their are a bunch to choose from
The Barkley fight is one of the most heroic performances that have ever been captured on film. I'm not sure anybody else in the past 80 years could have achieved something better at the stage in his career Duran was.
DeJesus 3 for me. The absolutely consummate performance. I can't come to think of a performance by anyone which tops that one in terms of exhibition of skillset.
He liked to damn near kill DeJesus in their third fight. Duran- so good for so long- he seemed old by the time he fought Leonard
His performance against Barkley was top notch. I'd say that would be his 2nd best win behind Leonard 1.
By competition it would be Palomino,by performance...hard to choose. I think that fight vs Barkley really fits the bill,a miracle he came back near the end to actually beat the younger meaner bigger man,but you cannot find some more masterpiece like that nasty destruction of Moore,that ko vs Lampkin and Cuevas,or that masterclass vs Thompson and De Jesus 3.
I'm a sucker for what I can find of him against Monroe Brooks. Duran was against a guy who he would've beaten in his sleep, but the sheer talent and genius he showed in doing so is incredible imo. It's the perfect fight for a showcase.
In absolute terms, i.e. not relative to age, then SRL 1, Palomino and De Jesus 3 performances can be ranked in any order as his best 3. Roberto was truly peak around this time. Clearly SRL 1 was his best win, probably Barkley his 2nd best, given the huge natural discrepancy in size.
In terms of near flawless performance his fight against DeJesus 3 is his best showing followed by his dominance over Carlos Palomino IMO.
The Barkley one was the most impressive, but the 2nd best performance in absolute terms would probably be the Buchanan win, he was a solid fighter.
I have De Jesus III at nunmber one. Sugar Ray Leonard I at number two. The former was the best exhibition of Roberto's all round skills so it is his best performance. The first SRL fight was his best victory.