Why do ppl always say Duran moved up 2 weightclasses to beat Leonard?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by richie leon, Dec 2, 2012.


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  1. richie leon

    richie leon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I've heard people mention this over and over, and it's just not true. Duran moved up to WW about 2 years before the first Leonard fight and had 8 fights in that time, including a notable decision win over Palomino. Also, even when he was reigning as LW champ, he was fighting non-title fights at 140 all the time.

    I'm not bringing this up to diminish Duran's legacy in any way, he's one of the best ever. But he was barely the 'smaller man' when he fought Sugar Ray, and people don't generally acknowledge that.

    And it especially irks me when certain people compare Juan Manuel Marquez moving up to fight Floyd Mayweather to the Leonard-Duran situation, when in truth there is absolutely no comparison.
     
    richie leon, Dec 2, 2012
    richie leon, Dec 2, 2012
    #1
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  2. dyna

    dyna Boxing Junkie banned

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    Leonard had 8 inches more reach, and was 3 inches taller.
    He was naturally a bigger guy and I think Duran fighting at 140 while still being a lw champion has more do to with his work ethic outside the ring.
     
    dyna, Dec 2, 2012
    dyna, Dec 2, 2012
    #2
  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    One was a natural lightweight, one was a natural welterweight. This is the point which people are trying to make to you.
     
    McGrain, Dec 2, 2012
    McGrain, Dec 2, 2012
    #3
  4. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    McGrain, you're a smart guy but how can you say that. Duran was at 150 before either Hearns or Leonard, chronologically speaking, and was therefore the bigger man. Everyone knows this.
     
    LittleRed, Dec 2, 2012
    LittleRed, Dec 2, 2012
    #4
  5. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yes, but he was older than them and he'd had a long career. He was a lightweight, just that was good enough to carry the weight at the higher poundage. He was never as great at any weight than lightweight.
     
    AlFrancis, Dec 2, 2012
    AlFrancis, Dec 2, 2012
    #5
  6. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Duran was 5 and 7 years older than those two. Naturally, he was putting on more pounds. He was almost 30 when he fought Leonard and 33 with 15 years as a pro under his belt when he fought Hearns. The partying didn't exactly help matters either.
     
    Seamus, Dec 2, 2012
    Seamus, Dec 2, 2012
    #6
  7. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Really? No one saw the sarcasm. Should I have mentioned that Virgil Hill is a great fighter that defended his belt life 25 times?
     
    LittleRed, Dec 2, 2012
    LittleRed, Dec 2, 2012
    #7
  8. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I caught a whiff of it but it didn't really register. Kinda hard to pick-up on with the written word.
     
    Seamus, Dec 2, 2012
    Seamus, Dec 2, 2012
    #8
  9. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    My fault. Should have been spoofier.
     
    LittleRed, Dec 2, 2012
    LittleRed, Dec 2, 2012
    #9
  10. the cobra

    the cobra Awesomeizationism! Full Member

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    I got it right away.
     
    the cobra, Dec 2, 2012
    the cobra, Dec 2, 2012
    #10
  11. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    the post was so sarcastic i can't even remember what this thread is about but surely Duran deserves a mention.
     
    lufcrazy, Dec 2, 2012
    lufcrazy, Dec 2, 2012
    #11
  12. Hands of Iron

    Hands of Iron #MSE Full Member

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    MAG is an endless source of entertainment.
     
    Hands of Iron, Dec 2, 2012
    Hands of Iron, Dec 2, 2012
    #12
  13. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    :lol:
     
    AlFrancis, Dec 2, 2012
    AlFrancis, Dec 2, 2012
    #13
  14. MAG1965

    MAG1965 Loyal Member banned

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    7 inches more reach and 2 inches more height. And he fought at 154 in 1978 before Ray ever did.
     
    MAG1965, Dec 2, 2012
    MAG1965, Dec 2, 2012
    #14
  15. MAG1965

    MAG1965 Loyal Member banned

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    which makes Hearns accomplishment of beating Hill when he was a natural welterweight pretty amazing.
     
    MAG1965, Dec 2, 2012
    MAG1965, Dec 2, 2012
    #15
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