Why does nobody ever seem to mention duran's loss at lightweight?

Because he later defeated De Jesus in a rematch, he was still green and won a world strap in his next fight.

Prime lightweight Duran wouldnt have lost that decision.

 

are you going to hold it against leonard for losing to a LW in duran in 80. he got revenge twice and that fight was only 10 rounds. estaban was also a excellent fighter who came at the wrong time. you could argue strongly that roberto took lightly

 

I hear people mention that loss all the time. Don't know what you're talking about... anyway Duran KOed him twice the next two fights he faced him.

 

Roberto Duran was a master, and one of the true standouts in Lightweight history.

However, it's common knowledge that he recieves more support on ESB than any other fighter in Boxing.

Leonard hardly gets props for beating Marvin Hagler, whereas one of Duran's greatest achievements was lasting the distance.

Leonard and Duran were both great.

 

it helps when you beat the guy twice .. and then beat every other LW into the ground

 

Well, first of all, that loss and Dejesus are brought up quite often, just not in the General Forum.

Second of all, the reason it isn't as highly regarded a loss as you believe it should be apparently, is because not only did Duran stop Dejesus in two rematches, but the first fight was a non-title bout and Duran clearly didn't show up at his best. When they did fight for the title, you saw the real Duran, and he proved his superiority.

Another thing is, Dejesus is one of the most underrated LW's ever, a truly top notch fighter who'd have been very successful(as in at the top) in any era post-Duran other than the Whitaker era. Excellent fighter, combined slick boxing ability with punching power and the ability to mix it up with the best.

 

That is completely untrue. You honestly believe that given all the General Forum nuts and their man-crushes on their faves?

 

Officially his first lost was against Leonard at welter for the WBC strap . . . so how would people talk about a loss which is not appearing on the guy's record? Not everybody here started watching boxing way back.

Besides it's not even appearing on De Jesus' record either.

 

Um, what?

Duran lost to Dejesus and it's on both of their records. Get your facts straight.

 

:roll: Ugh. I don't even think I'm gonna try today.

 

Yeah I've just checked that . . . Duran lost via UD . . . Nov 17, 1972.

 

Duran at 135 was at least as good as Jones at 168, difference being the level of competition throughout history at the weight class, as there was far more at LW than SMW.

And no, you're totally off. Casamayor got outboxed by Corrales. Nuff said really. And Stevie Johnston? A good, underrated boxer, but certainly not good enough to outslick Duran at his best. Floyd gives him a tough matchup, but a prime, motivated Duran outdoes him handily. Awful matchup for Floyd. Not only is Duran a more powerful, vicious inside fighter, but he's also more skilled.

People really don't seem to realize how versatile Duran was at his best. He reminded me of an offensive version of Wilfred Benitez, only much more vicious. That's not a comparison you hear every day, but I suggest watching more Duran at his LW best. His defense is criminally underrated.

 

it was a non title fight, he crushed dejesus twice for the title after that, in two of the best lightweight performances ever