Who is the higher ATG - Leonard or Duran

Ray Leonard beat Hagler and Hearns, and his resume kinda pips Duran's, but Duran did beat him in their first fight without the controversy of the second. So pretty even, but probably Leonard

 

I have read many posts on forums, and many boxing books. Your the only person who thinks Duran wasn't a natural lightweight. And height has a lot to do with it. Fighters who are taller carry the weight better. After Duran left weltwerweight he was out of his depth physically, more so at middleweight of course. And don't come back and even try to work your way around telling me Duran was comfortable and natural at middleweight, because you really would be making a fool of yourself.

Duran was past his prime when he fought Benitez, Hearns, and Hagler. He was inconsistent after Leonard beat him in the rematch. Another step up in weight, and he was in his early thirties after New Orleans. Thats what made Duran special though, he was able to come back from setbacks. New Orleans and the knockout loss to Hearns would have finished most world class fighters, not Duran.

 

That Duran even has a W over Leonard, in a weight category that most fighters that size have no business in, is testament to his standings as an ATG, and deserved spot in the top 5. Duran was the better fighter.

 

Roberto Duran

 

I'm wondering the same thing, now the hell are you even arguing that Duran's natural weight wasn't Lightweight?

He carried 147 fine in his early days there, but he was not as good as he was at LW for sure. You say it was because of his competition that he looked better. That is simply not true, it's because he fit the weight much better, and was fighting people his size. Watch him fight there, you'll see better speed and workrate than at any other weight. He was a clearly superior fighter there.

I was going to respond, but upon reading that it doesn't merit a response.

SRL didn't have anywhere near the longevity as Duran, nor was he as dominant at one weight as Duran. Duran was a top 5(arguably #1) LW of all time, undisputably. His career at the higher weights only adds to it, and the fact that he was still beating top comp when well past his prime and best weight.

 

you havent seen the ko magazine 1981 ratings, its all over the internet.

 

Leonard regardless of past accomplishments head to head in the end Leonard ..He has wins over Hagler and Hearns ..Not the case with Duran ..

 

srl

 

duran was smaller framed than the other guys..he wasnt nearly as broad at his shoulders as srl or some of the other 80s fighters...he was the smaller man

 

Leonard.

 

Hearns was a Huge WW, Duran started at LW. Hearns KO'd him at Lt Middle. Just having the balls to step in the ring with Hearns and Hagler is a testament to Duran. :deal

 

SRL

His resume is way better. The rest e.g weight both started, longevity etc. are minor issues.

 

Therein lies the key IMO.

 

Who is the higher ATG - Leonard or Duran



i would have to think leonard.