Why were these Durán fights never made?

I'm pretty sure Duran - Arguello was still on the cards when Arguello lost to Vilomar Fernandez. Duran then popped up in weight for good.

 

He also “ducked” Cervantes

 

Real shame that Duran vs Arguello didn't get made. Same thing with Tommy vs McCallum.

 

Yep. Duran really started to put on a lot of weight in-between fights and was rapidly moving away from a weight that was comfortable for AA. Heck, Duran all but skipped 140 completely and after Montreal, he had a hell of a time even making 147.

 

Duran vs Arguello would have been fun no doubt. Tommy and McCallum wanted to fight but Manny steered Tommy clear of McCallum. Manny knew what McCallum was and the risk outweighed the reward.

 

Yehh I heard about that. After McCallum beat Milton and the other Kronk guys, Manny didn't want to risk the star of his gym against Mike. I personally think Tommy would have edged out a competitive decision as I think he's the best 154 pounder in history. But then again I think Mike is the second best so I'm pretty 60/40 about the matchup.

 

Not sure on specifics but you can usually assume it was due to Eleta. He wouldn't let Duran fight Gato Gonzales either for some reason. There's some old threads on here from years back talking about it.

 

I dont think Duran had the mental make up to duck anyone

 

I agree, Cervantes was just a “great” fighter he sort of leap frogged as I understand it. Better money elsewhere… “ducked” is just something I used to read and find amusing, yes he ducked a 140lber but fought Hagler?

 

$300,000 in 1978 is like $1.4 million today, that's a bit light to fight someone on the level of those guys, Crawford got $10 million to fight a past it Canelo

 

What about Dura?Was there ever a chance of him meeting McCallum?

 

Duran ducked no one. Fighters from earlier era's loved to say they are the best, and prove it in the ring as much as they loved the money incentives.
Nothing like the cherry pickers of the last10- 20 yrs.
Sometimes fights simply don't happen. For many different reasons, usually just bad timing.
I can think of so many that should've happened .
Leonard vs Curry
Hearns vs McCallum ( And I believe after studying both for years, Hearns wins this easier than most would expect, especially over 12rds ,a clear U.D for Hearns)
Pryor vs Leonard.
Gomez vs Arguello
Sanchez vs Pedroza
Mugabi vs Jackson
And many, many more!

 

I don't think he ducked him either. I just think he always wanted to move up in weight and Leonard was the payday at 147. I know Duran would blow up to nearly 200 pounds in between fights. Fighting Arguello at 140 or below was simply not as appealing as fighting Leonard at 147 for huge money. Duran feared no one.

 

I'm guessing that Duran was already looking to move up when the Arguello fight came up. He ended up fighting Benitez and probably got a bunch more money for it.