Roberto Duran vs. Sugar Ray Robinson.

[NYDominican]

Roberto Duran at welterweight against a prime Sugar Ray Robinson at welterweight.

What advantages would Roberto have over Sugar Ray?


What advantages would Sugar Ray Robinson have over Roberto Duran?


What do you see happening in this fight?


Who would win? Why?



Please explain.

[elmersalsa]

I will put my money on the great Roberto Duran of Montreal night.

[DrDuke]

Duran. He was in the later era and he didn't just compete there, he showed some suberb stuff. He was close to being a complete boxer-puncher. Robinson was swift and remarkable defence-wise, but he left enough openings for such fighter like Duran.

[keithmoonhangover]

Robinson was unbeatable at 147. I wouldn't pick anyone to beat him at welter.

[Nile4000]

Roberto might be a bit tougher than Ray, but he is not going to intimidate Robinson like he did Leonard. Robinson by ud or late stoppage in a competitive fight.

[bwu]

Robinson was unbeatable at 147. I wouldn't pick anyone to beat him at welter.

Yes. Duran would'be been competitive of course, but those of us who think Robinson was the best of all time are basing it on his run at welter. Duran obviously would've beaten a young Sugar Ray at lightweight and I think it would'be been very close at middleweight. But nobody gets pas SRR at welterweight.

[zockerbit]

Sugar Ray Robinson

Duran tough, pressure boxer but much shorter, slower and predictable. Robinson had reach, speed, combinations, a devastating upercut that would halt and probably eventually stop Duran. Sugar Ray was also a very hard and tough boxer, a warrior, and all together Duran would not be able to match all qualities of Robinson.

Robinson vs Leonard would we highly entertaining and I would not dare to pick a winner, but I actually think Hearns would beat Robinson.

[elmersalsa]

Sugar Ray Robinson

Duran tough, pressure boxer but much shorter, slower and predictable. Robinson had reach, speed, combinations, a devastating upercut that would halt and probably eventually stop Duran. Sugar Ray was also a very hard and tough boxer, a warrior, and all together Duran would not be able to match all qualities of Robinson.

Robinson vs Leonard would we highly entertaining and I would not dare to pick a winner, but I actually think Hearns would beat Robinson.

I guess you have only seen of Duran from the "No Mas" fight onwards.

[keithmoonhangover]

Robinson wins on points.

[zockerbit]

Sugar Ray Robinson

Duran tough, pressure boxer but much shorter, slower and predictable. Robinson had reach, speed, combinations, a devastating upercut that would halt and probably eventually stop Duran. Sugar Ray was also a very hard and tough boxer, a warrior, and all together Duran would not be able to match all qualities of Robinson.

Robinson vs Leonard would we highly entertaining and I would not dare to pick a winner, but I actually think Hearns would beat Robinson.

I guess you have only seen of Duran from the "No Mas" fight onwards.

I´ve not seen all his 100+ fights, but many, even several before the "No Mas". I like Duran, no question, would love to see Duran vs Paquiao, but to be honest, compare the quality of Durans opponents before and after the "No Mas". Marcel, Kobayashi, Garcia, Buchanan, De Jesus, Lampkin and so on are all excellent boxers but not really the same as Leonard, Hearns, Hagler to mention three of his losses when he was still around his prime. Very few boxers in history can move up from lightweight and challenge the best in welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight. Paquaio has done the same. No one questions Durans greatness and no one serious wouldn´t consider him as one of the best ever. Sugar Ray Robinsons greatness is even beyond Durans and to challange and beat him in welterweight where he´s comfortable is simply not something you do during lunch.

[Ambling Alp II]

Good post!
Agree with keithmoonhangover that Robinson winning on points is the most likely scenario.

[APerno]

Both fighters' history suggest Duran wins on points, and then Robinson wins the rematch.

[cfang]

Yep. Great post.

[cfang]

Both fighters' history suggest Duran wins on points, and then Robinson wins the rematch.

Sorry this post is great.

[Ambling Alp II]

Robinson never lost to a welterweight and the fight is at welterweight.

[Abradolf Lincler]

Duran from the first Leonard and Palomino fights would've given Robinson all he could handle at Welter. The problem when assessing Duran above Lightweight is that his prime only carried over into the early portion. He peaked and valleyed like Roy Jones Jr (for more reasons than just age/wear and tear). The massive difference being he made real amends (on multiple occasions) for his dramatic fall from grace.

But, I think he was genuinely an all time great talent even at Welter early on. He was just that good.

Still, the smart money has to be on Robinson. Decision. Great effin' fight, obviously.