What welterweights would you pick to beat the Duran of the first Leonard fight?

I think that version is capable of beating anyone whoever laced them up at the weight...but I think he would have to catch guys like Robinson or Hearns on a bad night to pick up the win.

A lot of 50-50 calls aswell...The kind of fights that would split opinion.

 

The only other WW I would give a chance to beat this version of Duran is Sugar Ray Robinson who I rate as the best P4P fighter of all time. however I have only seen limited footage of Robinson at this weight and I just find it hard to envision anyone beating Roberto on that night.

 

Also, I gotta say that the Duran from the "Palomino-Leonard" fights from 1979 / '80, would beat the ever lovin' **** out of Julio C. Chavez from 1989 to 1993...... Duran by KO over Chavez in a one-sided encounter / affair........ Peace....

MR.BILL

 

Only Robinson for sure. Benitez was stronger and more mature and Duran wasn't quite "Montreal" Duran when he fought Benitez. I don't believe Tommy Hearns is a slam dunk to beat "Montreal" Duran. Maybe a great mover like Luis Manuel Rodriguez could pull it off but no sure thing.

 

Sugar Ray Robinson
Thomas Hearns
Sugar Ray Leonard (post initial encounter)

Less confident - Gavilan would be tough, Napoles too, Armstrong interesting, Benitez interesting, Walker and Burley interesting.

 

I agree with whoever stated that Duran of early '82 against Benitez was NOT as tuned or primed like he was for SRL in Montreal earlier in '80........ I know HBO remarked that Duran looked good going in against Benitez, but that song changed after 4 or 5 rds......... Physically I thought Duran looked pretty good at 152 pounds, but he was sluggish and breathing hard by round 10...... Duran was NOT the same.......

MR.BILL

 

(bracing myself for the outrage)... No-one except Robinson. And I include Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns in that. Napoles would give him a great fight though.

 

Noboby beats Duran on that night.

 

Noone. But I'd include the palimino fight as well.:hat

 

Or physically if you look at his physique. Plus he looked bored from the beginninng. Duran hunger was satiated in Montreal and the fierce warrior and style was NEVER seen again.:rasta

 

That was "Big Book of Boxing" the result one also had a great tribute to Victor Galindez right before he died.:rasta

 

At lightweight he puts him out in 10.

 

Hearns :yep
donald curry is always a good option also.
robinson of course.
marlon starling
delahoya
paul williams (the one who murderred quintana)

maybe even vernon forrest , but i will not argue about this idea.

 

Robinson
Hearns

I give Shane Mosley a decent shot

 

If you followed the recent "Latin Welterweight Tourney" Most posters here actually picked Luis Rodriguez to defeat Duran.