Chavez vs Duran at both Prime

[vagabundo55]

Duran would have destroyed Arguello..

[walshb]

Duran at his peak as a ligtweight was almost super human. He was so much better than his opponents. I wouldn't bet on him to lose to anyone at Lightweight. Look how he did against a prime Leonard at Welter. He was a ball of energy, skill, speed, power, stamina, defense, rough as hell and in your face all night.

[adonis1956]

Roberto Duran the greatest lightweight champion of all time, this says it all.

[KOJOE90]

Roberto Duran the greatest lightweight champion of all time, this says it all.

I agree but his late one time trainer Ray Arcel apparently said Benny Leonard would have beaten him.

[theone]

Greetings all, long time reader first time poster.
I couldnt help but join up after reading the opinions on this topic. I have watched all of chavez lightweight fights and most of Durans and I see no evidence that a fight between the two in their primes would have been easy for either one of them. It would be without a doubt the hardest fight they both ever had at that weight.
I cant understand how anyone could possible think that chavez would be out of his league in this one. he is wayyy undderated on these boards.
Firstly, Duran was not unbeatable at lightweight. Estaban Dejesus dropped and easily decisioned him in a ten round non-title fighter. Estaban also gave a good account of himself in the next two fights which Duran prevailed.
The six fighters Chavez steamrolled at lightweight compare favorable with the top six fighters Duran fought during his lightweight reign:
chavez
Edwin Rosario- best lightweight at the time.
Jose Luis Ramirez-wbc champion and borderline hall of famer at the top of his game.
Rodolfo Aguliar-undefeated contender
Rafael(bazooka)Limon- hardened veteran on the downslide but still dangerous.
Vernon Buchanan& Nicky Perez- not exactly tomato cans but no real threat.

Duran

Ken Buchanan- Undeserving hall of famer but still very good, who lost his title on a low blow ignored by the ref.
Estaban dejesus- Very good fighter who gave duran hell.
Ray Lampkin- Good contender, nothing special.
Lou Bizarro- good up and comer, absolutly no power.
Guts Ishimatsui- nothing special, was on a nice little roll to get the title shot.
Hector Thompson- See above.

In addition, Chavez had better boxing skill, a better chin, much more poise and a killer left hook, which was durans weakness.

Duran, although not as hard a puncher as everyone gives him credit for, had a bit more power than chavez, quicker hands and fought with more ferocity.
Both their defenses were top rate. stamina would not be an issue for either.
This would be a very compertitve fight and could go either way, although personally i would lean towards Chavez because of the body punching, but wouldnt be surprised if Duran prevailed.

[Barrera]

I'll have to go with my gut instinct and say Duran wins this by a late stoppage. Two very tough warriors who would no doubt go at it like a pair of pitbulls throughout 11 rounds whilst putting on one of the best fights ever imaginable, probably throw in a couple of twists and turns with both fighters nearly but not quite hitting the canvas with the momentum swinging multiple times throughout the fight. In the end though I just think Duran's relentless, rabid attacking would prove to be the deciding factor with the accumulation of punishment more than anything else sending Chavez to the canvas, unable to beat the count.

[carolineturtlemama]

At 130 to 135 I think that a prime Chavez would beat Duran.. I say this because Chavez was born with a genetic mutation that gave him the skull of a caveman.. The Bones in the face and Skull of Julio Cesar Chavez were slightly thicker than a normal homo sapian. This may explain why Chavez was never counted out in over 100 fights.. This fight would have been a 15 round slugfest, and since even the hands of stone could not knock out a fighter born with the skull bones of a man from the stone age , Chavez would have worn Duran down causing Duran's corner or the referee to stop the match in the 14th round.https://www.google.com/search?q=julio+c ... Xb-jnRM%3A

[davie]

At 130 to 135 I think that a prime Chavez would beat Duran.. I say this because Chavez was born with a genetic mutation that gave him the skull of a caveman.. The Bones in the face and Skull of Julio Cesar Chavez were slightly thicker than a normal homo sapian. This may explain why Chavez was never counted out in over 100 fights.. This fight would have been a 15 round slugfest, and since even the hands of stone could not knock out a fighter born with the skull bones of a man from the stone age , Chavez would have worn Duran down causing Duran's corner or the referee to stop the match in the 14th round.https://www.google.com/search?q=julio+c ... Xb-jnRM%3A

As far as first posts go, that's a cracker!

[Keko]

It would be a great fight

[Keko]

Roberto Duran the greatest lightweight champion of all time, this says it all.

I agree but his late one time trainer Ray Arcel apparently said Benny Leonard would have beaten him.

Benny was great the best champ.

[DareTBG]

Same ridiculous comments on this thread. Duran doesn't Ko Chavez, He beats him to the punch and out slicks him on the inside to win a competative UD.

Arguello does not KO Duran.

And Ken Buchanan is not an undeserving HOF fighter. He deserves his spot in the hall. The guy was a fantastic boxer/fighter and has a more than worthy resume.

[elmersalsa]

Same ridiculous comments on this thread. Duran doesn't Ko Chavez, He beats him to the punch and out slicks him on the inside to win a competative UD.

Arguello does not KO Duran.

And Ken Buchanan is not an undeserving HOF fighter. He deserves his spot in the hall. The guy was a fantastic boxer/fighter and has a more than worthy resume.

I love this post. And I love Ken Buchanan

[Jaywheel]

At 130 to 135 I think that a prime Chavez would beat Duran.. I say this because Chavez was born with a genetic mutation that gave him the skull of a caveman.. The Bones in the face and Skull of Julio Cesar Chavez were slightly thicker than a normal homo sapian. This may explain why Chavez was never counted out in over 100 fights.. This fight would have been a 15 round slugfest, and since even the hands of stone could not knock out a fighter born with the skull bones of a man from the stone age , Chavez would have worn Duran down causing Duran's corner or the referee to stop the match in the 14th round.https://www.google.com/search?q=julio+c ... Xb-jnRM%3A

As far as first posts go, that's a cracker!

11 years later, finally a logical answer.

[magwitch]

Yes, crikey! . Impressive comeback!

I don’t know who would have won (noone can for sure). I thought they were both A+ level fighters, and Buchanan was a genuine world class British fighter, as I understand it. In fact probably in the top 5-10 Brits ever.

[Kalan]

I saw Buchanan as a fair boxer... He never really fought anyone good until he was beaten by Velazquez... I give him credit for beating Laguna, but I was not real impressed with Laguna or thought he was an outstanding champion... I thought Duran was an outstanding fighter and would knock Buchanan out. He had a lot less experience than Buchanan and not much of an amateur career, and his 3rd fight with De Jesus was his best effort.

I had Chavez beating Meldrick Taylor all the way because he was landing damaging shots to Taylor's fluffy shots... I had Chavez losing to Pernell Whitaker all the way. Chavez was getting jabbed to death and it was such a flagrant robbery I LMAO. He couldn't force the action like Duran. Duran was definitely a better puncher than Whitaker, as good a boxer, and physically stronger and tougher.. He would jab and counter the Hell out of Chavez. I see it 117-111 Duran if they were both at their best..

The only thing that bothered me was sometimes Duran wasn't mentally ready to fight.. De Jesus 1, Benitez, Leonard 2, Hearns, Laing, Sims.. When Duran got behind in a fight he never made a really massive effort to right the ship.. It was like "Screw this BS. I could GAF less."

[DareTBG]

I saw Buchanan as a fair boxer... He never really fought anyone good until he was beaten by Velazquez... I give him credit for beating Laguna, but I was not real impressed with Laguna or thought he was an outstanding champion... I thought Duran was an outstanding fighter and would knock Buchanan out. He had a lot less experience than Buchanan and not much of an amateur career, and his 3rd fight with De Jesus was his best effort.

You're hard to please. Buchanan was more than just a fair boxer. Reports on the Buchanan-Valazquez fight seem to suggest a hometown robbery. Buchanan was reportedly dropped so I'm not sure.
You were not impressed with Laguna? Laguna was a fantastic boxer. Great jab and movement, fast and tough as old boots.

https://youtu.be/xZKR1T9Dy08

This fight against Ramos when Laguna was past his best showed just how good he was.

[ClivePatrickLyons]

Duran motivated would be a certain................. 12/15 round in dec

[sweetviolenturge]

Chavez was, indeed, an all-time great, no disputing it, but IMO Duran was on an entirely different level.
Plus, although we didn't see it until very late in his career, his ticker was a bit suspect. He didn't like being bullied & often looked for the easiest way out if the opportunity arose. Thus the results of Randall II, Delahoya II, Tszyu etc..
I think Duran makes him stay in his corner late in the fight.

[Crease]

I'd favour Duran. But it would have been an exciting fights, both men would have landed hard combinations and repeatedly...

[Keko]

For most people Duran more popular but realistically it would be interesting and uncertain fight.
This fight and fight Duran vs. La Motta are my ideal fantasy fights.

[elmersalsa]

For most people Duran more popular but realistically it would be interesting and uncertain fight.
This fight and fight Duran vs. La Motta are my ideal fantasy fights.

At middleweight, the great Jake LaMotta beats the Hands of Stone. The Raging Bull was very strong at 160.

[Kalan]

My favourite line in this thread was written by a guy called " theone " who wrote.

In addition, Chavez had better boxing skill, and a better chin,

Now that is definitely a guy who goes to pantomime's.

That's funny... Duran took punches from Middleweights like Barkley without going down.. I don't think Chavez would survive in those fights and I think Tszyu stopped him and Frankie Randall beat him up.. Duran would control him with the jab like Whitaker did - and rip him with right counters.

And for the guy who thinks Ismael Laguna was great shakes.. He lost to fast lightweights like Flash Elorde, Carlos Ortiz, Eugenio Espinosa, and Buchanan.. He was a rung below the top lightweights.. Mando Ramos was not a real skilled boxer so that was more the level he could beat.

[Kalan]

I meant to say Duran took punches from Middleweights like Barkley and Hagler without going down... and he was competitive.

[Keko]

For most people Duran more popular but realistically it would be interesting and uncertain fight.
This fight and fight Duran vs. La Motta are my ideal fantasy fights.

At middleweight, the great Jake LaMotta beats the Hands of Stone. The Raging Bull was very strong at 160.

It is possible but somehow, this fight seems brilliant to imagine. Both are incredibly persistent, brilliant in their own way

[elmersalsa]

My favourite line in this thread was written by a guy called " theone " who wrote.

In addition, Chavez had better boxing skill, and a better chin,

Now that is definitely a guy who goes to pantomime's.

That's funny... Duran took punches from Middleweights like Barkley without going down.. I don't think Chavez would survive in those fights and I think Tszyu stopped him and Frankie Randall beat him up.. Duran would control him with the jab like Whitaker did - and rip him with right counters.

And for the guy who thinks Ismael Laguna was great shakes.. He lost to fast lightweights like Flash Elorde, Carlos Ortiz, Eugenio Espinosa, and Buchanan.. He was a rung below the top lightweights.. Mando Ramos was not a real skilled boxer so that was more the level he could beat.

Ismael Laguna was a fantastic and beautiful boxer, Kalan! Watch his first fight with the great Carlos Ortiz in Panama City. Laguna in that night was in all cylinders. Very fast jabs and right leads. He was also a two-time world champion at lightweight. He is definitely a deserving hall of fame boxer at least.