Roberto Duran, at a?

[NYDominican]

Roberto Duran fought his professional boxing career at Lightweight, Junior Welterweight, and Junior Middleweight.

Roberto has been touted by many as being one of the greatest (if not the greatest) Lightweights of all time.

In February, 1989, Duran fought Iran Barkley for the Junior Middleweight title. Roberto beat Iran.



1. Had Duran started his pro career at say a Junior Middleweight.

Do you think that Roberto could have scaled even higher heights in boxing?



2. Do you think that Roberto Duran could have made an even bigger legacy for himself?

As in being THE greatest Pound for Pound boxer in the ring?



Please explain.

[DrDuke]

In February, 1989, Duran fought Iran Barkley for the Junior Middleweight title.

But that was the Middleweight title, not Junior Middleweight. He had won Davey Moore for the Junior Middleweight title years before. Anyway he shouldn't have returned there after Barkley. He shouldn't have continued to box at all. He appeared to be shot after that fight.

[bigjack]

Duran was too small for middleweight,he was just lucky he met a less skilled champion in Barkley to pick up the title,his best weight was lightweight and welterweight and yes he should have called it a day after Barkley,going missing and a lack of dedication cost him a lot at times,great fighter though

[SenorPipino]

Duran was only 5'7" He wouldn't have been great if he started his career at 154 or 160.

Just overweight.

He would have been able to handle himself because he was a natural fighter.

But he wouldn't have stood out. Once he reached welterweight, Duran only sparkled on occasion.

Most times he was lethargic, sluggish.

ATG lightweight obviously. The fact that the smallish Duran was able to capture belts up through middleweight is enough testimonial to his unique qualities.

[Abradolf Lincler]

Thread makes no sense.

[SenorPipino]

Thread makes no sense.

Sometimes you just have to play along.

[elmersalsa]

Duran was only 5'7" He wouldn't have been great if he started his career at 154 or 160.

Just overweight.

He would have been able to handle himself because he was a natural fighter.

But he wouldn't have stood out. Once he reached welterweight, Duran only sparkled on occasion.

Most times he was lethargic, sluggish.

ATG lightweight obviously. The fact that the smallish Duran was able to capture belts up through middleweight is enough testimonial to his unique qualities.

Nuff said. His best weight fighting range was from featherweight to welterweight. Above 147lbs, Duran wasn't effective. And still, he won 2 more world titles above 147 and being considered washed up at the time he won those two crowns. To me, the Hands of Stone is the greatest boxer of the last 50 years, no doubt about that.