hagler/hearns/leonard/duran: who was truly the best?

[Onetimeonly]

That's what that saad guy always said. Funny how Duran always struggled so much when the other guy boxed.

Only when Duran fought the wrong fight.

[Ambling Alp II]

Fighting the wrong type of fight is not an excuse for Leonard. It is a criticism. It's his own fault. He would be ranked higher had he he fought a smart fight the first time. That's on him.

If you watch the first fight, it's plain as day that Leonard used very little movement, and constantly went right at Duran. He was smart enough not to do that in the second fight and had more success. When Benitez fought Duran, he outboxed Duran as well. Even Viruet could have got a decision over Duran by boxing. If you had a lot of boxing ability, that is the way to go against Duran.

[Ambling Alp II]

I expected you to be less reactive. Sounds like one of your points here is that that Duran lacked boxing skills. Odd observation. I don’t agree at all. I do think he was far less calculating about his career, and could be more impulsive, and fall victim to his emotions. This played out in his ups and downs. Which was my point about srl. His gift was his level headed consistency. Give Duran that gift and he outperforms Ray. As he did in their first encounter. Ray was one of the most stable and poised fighters in history. And “good” and “better” are quite subjective.

I don't think Duran lacked boxing skills. I just don't think he had great boxing skills. He wasn't at the level of Leonard or Benitez.
Don't agree that if he had "Leonard's level headed consistency" he beats Leonard.

Ultimately what I have always been saying is that it's going too far to have excuses for 15 of Duran's 16 losses. I think at least 4 were pretty legit.

Less calculating about his career? That sounds pretty vague. Does that mean that Duran didn't need to bother fighting all those tomato cans that he fought all through his career?

[Onetimeonly]

Fighting the wrong type of fight is not an excuse for Leonard. It is a criticism. It's his own fault. He would be ranked higher had he he fought a smart fight the first time. That's on him.

If you watch the first fight, it's plain as day that Leonard used very little movement, and constantly went right at Duran. He was smart enough not to do that in the second fight and had more success. When Benitez fought Duran, he outboxed Duran as well. Even Viruet could have got a decision over Duran by boxing. If you had a lot of boxing ability, that is the way to go against Duran.

He would have gotten stopped if he tried to dance around.

[Ambling Alp II]

That really doesn't make sense.
He went 15 rounds standing right in front of Duran. By being a moving target and getting hit less he would be even less likely to get stopped.
When he moved in the second fight, he outclassed Duran. Duran couldn't box with Benitez either.

[Duran1970]

This just keeps getting more hilarious...

[Duran1970]

Yes Alp, we're all aware Benitez beat Duran....it's only , I don't know, maybe the 98th time you said it?

[Onetimeonly]

That really doesn't make sense.
He went 15 rounds standing right in front of Duran. By being a moving target and getting hit less he would be even less likely to get stopped.
When he moved in the second fight, he outclassed Duran. Duran couldn't box with Benitez either.

He had no time to move. He had to stand his ground. Not to mention Padilla let Duran maul as he pleased. In the second he got rocked at a distance. That was the best Duran ever was and it was too much. One of rays best performances.

[Duran1970]

That really doesn't make sense.
He went 15 rounds standing right in front of Duran. By being a moving target and getting hit less he would be even less likely to get stopped.
When he moved in the second fight, he outclassed Duran. Duran couldn't box with Benitez either.

He had no time to move. He had to stand his ground. Not to mention Padilla let Duran maul as he pleased. In the second he got rocked at a distance. That was the best Duran ever was and it was too much. One of rays best performances.

More comedy....this is good stuff

[Onetimeonly]

He had no time to move. He had to stand his ground. Not to mention Padilla let Duran maul as he pleased. In the second he got rocked at a distance. That was the best Duran ever was and it was too much. One of rays best performances.

More comedy....this is good stuff

What's so funny honey?

[Ambling Alp II]

That really doesn't make sense.
He went 15 rounds standing right in front of Duran. By being a moving target and getting hit less he would be even less likely to get stopped.
When he moved in the second fight, he outclassed Duran. Duran couldn't box with Benitez either.

He had no time to move. He had to stand his ground. Not to mention Padilla let Duran maul as he pleased. In the second he got rocked at a distance. That was the best Duran ever was and it was too much. One of rays best performances.

No chance to move. Come on.

[Ambling Alp II]

This just keeps getting more hilarious...

Well, you haven't said anything to counter it.

[Ambling Alp II]

Yes Alp, we're all aware Benitez beat Duran....it's only , I don't know, maybe the 98th time you said it?

I wasn't counting. Has anyone ever mentioned that Duran was a lightweight?

[tiny_acres]

Yes Alp, we're all aware Benitez beat Duran....it's only , I don't know, maybe the 98th time you said it?

I wasn't counting. Has anyone ever mentioned that Duran was a lightweight?

From a pound for pound comparison Duran has my vote as being the best of the bunch

[Onetimeonly]

He had no time to move. He had to stand his ground. Not to mention Padilla let Duran maul as he pleased. In the second he got rocked at a distance. That was the best Duran ever was and it was too much. One of rays best performances.

No chance to move. Come on.

Yes, none.

[Duran1970]

More comedy....this is good stuff

What's so funny honey?

My bad OTO....I misunderstood the post..I do agree with that assessment

[Onetimeonly]

What's so funny honey?

My bad OTO....I misunderstood the post..I do agree with that assessment

[Duran1970]

When I first "read" it I thought you were referring to the 2nd fight and not the second round...not only is my vision going but apparently so is my comprehension...maybe I was automatically thinking it was another Duran bad Leonard good post....
I wouldn't call it allowed mauling by Padilla though, fighting inside and out of clinches should be the norm...at least it used to be, by most refs anyway.

[cfang]

Duran
Leonard
Hagler
Hearns