How Many Good Fighters You Think That the Great Roberto Duran Could Have Beaten at Middleweight?

[elmersalsa]

I have seen responses in the Mythical Fights section of middleweight fighters matching against the great Roberto Duran and in some of them, I have been very surprised at the responses.

As you guys know, there is no a greater Duran's fan in this forum more than I.

But, as watching his career when I was younger I realized that he couldn't carry the same speed and agility as when he was at the 130 to 147lbs frame where he looked very fast and terrific. But, as soon that he went to the 154lbs limit, he was much more slower and sluggish. Guys that can move with speed definitely beat him. It were the men that stand up and trade with him that he had success with, like Robbie Sims (although he lost), Iran Barkley and Davey Moore.

In the Mythical Fights section, I was surprised of some guys pick Duran over Julian "The Hawk" Jackson and Chris Eubank. Ain't those guys were too big and faster than he at 160lbs?

In your opinion, what guys Duran could beat at 160lbs? Assuming that Duran is at his very best and in his prime.

[DrDuke]

He could handle a long, long row of top MWs from different eras, I don't know whence to start.

[Cent0089]

Ive noticed people tend to overrate boxers from past big time. Like "Hagler would smash Canelo in 1 round" and similar things. IMO Roberto Duran is in my top 3 atg. Would i favor him over Chris Eubank or Julian Jackson? Probably not, but would not be surprise for me if he beat them.

[DrDuke]

But, as watching his career when I was younger I realized that he couldn't carry the same speed and agility as when he was at the 130 to 147lbs frame where he looked very fast and terrific.

Even at 147 lbs Duran was past his prime, believe it or not. That's an amazing thought considering that at welterweight, Duran was still good enough to beat Sugar Ray Leonard.

IMO, the lightweight version of Duran - the guy who fought his best in the 1972 to 1978 period - qualifies as one of the greatest fighters of all time at any weight class.

I'd say, his prime was over with the Leonard win. Maybe it could have gone a bit longer. First of all, that fight was life-taking. Secondly, because of the severe dedication problems afterwards, Duran lost the momentum and was never able to be fully back. Later he regained only some of resources.

[elmersalsa]

But, as watching his career when I was younger I realized that he couldn't carry the same speed and agility as when he was at the 130 to 147lbs frame where he looked very fast and terrific.

Even at 147 lbs Duran was past his prime, believe it or not. That's an amazing thought considering that at welterweight, Duran was still good enough to beat Sugar Ray Leonard.

IMO, the lightweight version of Duran - the guy who fought his best in the 1972 to 1978 period - qualifies as one of the greatest fighters of all time at any weight class.

Great points.

As I argue with different boxing fans, it looked to me that many of them ONLY REMEMBER him from the "No Mas" fight until his retirement in 2001. It is like many of them do not remember before 1980 how good he was. Many of them has forgotten guys like Esteban De Jesus for example, who beat Duran in Duran's prime.

It is like they only remember the No Mas, and the losses with Wilfred Benitez, Thomas Hearns, Robbie Sims, Kirkland Laing and Marvelous. And point that with those losses, he is not a great boxer. But, they don't take into consideration that the man was past his prime and about 20 or 25 pounds his best weight class range which was between 126 to 147lbs.

I question this. Would a Thomas Hearns or Sugar Ray Leonard or Marvelous jump past their primes and beat excellent Light-heavyweight boxers like Matthew Saad Muhammad, John Conteh, Victor Galindez, Dwight Qawi, Marvin Johnson and greats like Michael Spinks and Bob Foster?

[Cent0089]

But, as watching his career when I was younger I realized that he couldn't carry the same speed and agility as when he was at the 130 to 147lbs frame where he looked very fast and terrific.

Even at 147 lbs Duran was past his prime, believe it or not. That's an amazing thought considering that at welterweight, Duran was still good enough to beat Sugar Ray Leonard.

IMO, the lightweight version of Duran - the guy who fought his best in the 1972 to 1978 period - qualifies as one of the greatest fighters of all time at any weight class.

That version of Duran who defeated Leonard, i would favor him against ANY welterweight in the world. He looked unbeatable that night

[DrDuke]

But, as watching his career when I was younger I realized that he couldn't carry the same speed and agility as when he was at the 130 to 147lbs frame where he looked very fast and terrific.

Even at 147 lbs Duran was past his prime, believe it or not. That's an amazing thought considering that at welterweight, Duran was still good enough to beat Sugar Ray Leonard.

IMO, the lightweight version of Duran - the guy who fought his best in the 1972 to 1978 period - qualifies as one of the greatest fighters of all time at any weight class.

That version of Duran who defeated Leonard, i would favor him against ANY welterweight in the world. He looked unbeatable that night

I agree. At least there wouldn't be a non-competetive or wide loss.

[elmersalsa]

Although Duran lost to Robbie Sims, I believe in my heart he won that fight. Sims left eye was totally shut.

Back then I thought that the boxing governing bodies did not want for Duran to keep on fighting. But, ironically, in 1989, he won his last world title in unbelievable fashion. That victory over Iran Barkley spoke volumes to me and I had to rank him top 5 all-time pound per pound. And he did it at age 37? That was INSANE!

[Scypion]

I think that the Hagler fight should be a feather in Duran's cap. Duran is the only boxer to go 15 rounds with Marvelous Marvin after Hagler won his middleweight title.

I really thought that Duran would get killed by Hagler when I heard that they were going to fight. Duran really surprised me when he gave Marvin such a good fight.

[AngryGoon38]

I think that the Hagler fight should be a feather in Duran's cap. Duran is the only boxer to go 15 rounds with Marvelous Marvin after Hagler won his middleweight title.

I really thought that Duran would get killed by Hagler when I heard that they were going to fight. Duran really surprised me when he gave Marvin such a good fight.

Good Post. Duran was actually ahead of Hagler after 12 rounds in that bout. So yeah, anyway, Haters always have to make fun of Duran for the
Abysmal unfortunate "No Mas" loss to Leonard in they're November 1980 2nd bout. Not taking to consideration Duran's "Forced 80 lb crash diet super rapid super unhealthy super unnatural Super Dramatic weight loss,which led to his preparation being a less than half ass training camp",leading up to that bout,which should've been postponed for a good several months. Any top boxer would do that nowadays.

[AngryGoon38]

My list of Good to Very Good Middleweight boxers that Duran could've taken,when Duran was under 38 years old. Obviously there are Many More that could be added to this relatively brief list. These are basically the first noteworthy Legit List of Middleweight boxers that come to my mind.
____________________________
Gene Fullmer
Vito Anterfermo
Denny Moyer
Tony Sibson
Bobby Czyaz
Juan Roldan
Vinny Pazienza
Benny Briscoe
Tony Zale
Rocky Graziano
Ronnie Harris
Mustafa Hamsho
Alan Minter

_____________________________
Out of this list,I'd say that the toughest opponent would be Minter,because of him being 5'11 and also a southpaw. Fullmer,a close 2nd. Hamsho and Czyaz would be difficult as well. Difficult as in tricky and awkward. Duran vs Zale would be Wild, but , I see Duran landing Quite Often in that hypothetical. Same with Anterfermo and Briscoe. Pazienza and Roldan as well. Wild Brawls,but Duran would outland and outbox tough rugged opponents like those fellows.

[elmersalsa]

If Duran fought well against Marvelous, how about that Duran in a match against the great Carlos Monzon? How that plays out?

[Jaywheel]

Now what if he was lighter? Could he have ever beaten a guy like Finito? Let's say he challenges the great Finito for his belt after 7 fights and with a 3-4 record, would he be able to overcome Finito's prowess?

[Ambling Alp II]

My list of Good to Very Good Middleweight boxers that Duran could've taken,when Duran was under 38 years old. Obviously there are Many More that could be added to this relatively brief list. These are basically the first noteworthy Legit List of Middleweight boxers that come to my mind.
____________________________
Gene Fullmer
Vito Anterfermo
Denny Moyer
Tony Sibson
Bobby Czyaz
Juan Roldan
Vinny Pazienza
Benny Briscoe
Tony Zale
Rocky Graziano
Ronnie Harris
Mustafa Hamsho
Alan Minter

_____________________________
Out of this list,I'd say that the toughest opponent would be Minter,because of him being 5'11 and also a southpaw. Fullmer,a close 2nd. Hamsho and Czyaz would be difficult as well. Difficult as in tricky and awkward. Duran vs Zale would be Wild, but , I see Duran landing Quite Often in that hypothetical. Same with Anterfermo and Briscoe. Pazienza and Roldan as well. Wild Brawls,but Duran would outland and outbox tough rugged opponents like those fellows.

Tony Zale and Gene Fullmer were much better fighters than Minter. Duran probably would have lost to them. He probably would have beaten Minter.

[DrDuke]

Duran would whoop Fullmer, who couldn't box really and would put himself straight on the Duran's territory.

[Ambling Alp II]

Please.

[elmersalsa]

Gene Fullmer vs Roberto Duran at middleweight would have been a toss up for me. I lean towards Fullmer, though.

[DrDuke]

Gene Fullmer vs Roberto Duran at middleweight would have been a toss up for me. I lean towards Fullmer, though.

I believe that Duran had too many skills and too much savvy to lose to Fullmer. I say Roberto comes out on top via decision.

Right. Maybe even via the stoppage later on.

[Ambling Alp II]

Gene Fullmer vs Roberto Duran at middleweight would have been a toss up for me. I lean towards Fullmer, though.

I believe that Duran had too many skills and too much savvy to lose to Fullmer. I say Roberto comes out on top via decision.

You have to be kidding. Fullmer was an ATG middleweight. He was not a "plodder". His record speaks for itself.

Take a look at what Duran career. He gave Hagler a tough fight. So did other guys. Beat the legendary Iran Barkley. Lost to Benitez. lost to frikkin Kirkland Laing. Ko'd by Hearns. Always a an excuse.
They could fight 10 times and Duran would not stop him. Somehow Fullmer would overcome Duran's "ring savvy". And Zale probably would have knocked duran into the middle of next week.

Alan Minter beating Fullmer? Come on.

[DrDuke]

Gene Fullmer vs Roberto Duran at middleweight would have been a toss up for me. I lean towards Fullmer, though.

I believe that Duran had too many skills and too much savvy to lose to Fullmer. I say Roberto comes out on top via decision.

You have to be kidding. Fullmer was an ATG middleweight. He was not a "plodder". His record speaks for itself.

Take a look at what Duran career. He gave Hagler a tough fight. So did other guys. Beat the legendary Iran Barkley. Lost to Benitez. lost to frikkin Kirkland Laing. Ko'd by Hearns. Always a an excuse.
They could fight 10 times and Duran would not stop him. Somehow Fullmer would overcome Duran's "ring savvy". And Zale probably would have knocked duran into the middle of next week.

Alan Minter beating Fullmer? Come on.

The Foulmer advocate is back.

[DrDuke]

I believe that Duran had too many skills and too much savvy to lose to Fullmer. I say Roberto comes out on top via decision.

You have to be kidding. Fullmer was an ATG middleweight. He was not a "plodder". His record speaks for itself.

Take a look at what Duran career. He gave Hagler a tough fight. So did other guys. Beat the legendary Iran Barkley. Lost to Benitez. lost to frikkin Kirkland Laing. Ko'd by Hearns. Always a an excuse.
They could fight 10 times and Duran would not stop him. Somehow Fullmer would overcome Duran's "ring savvy". And Zale probably would have knocked duran into the middle of next week.

Alan Minter beating Fullmer? Come on.

I have never known of anyone who rates Fullmer as an ATG. You are the very first person to make such a claim in my experience. More than anything else, Fullmer was just a strong, durable, plodder with an awkward style. A tough guy and a worthy champion, definitely. But someone who could beat Duran, or hold his own with SRL, Hearns, and Hagler? I think not.

As for Duran's defeats that you mention, in some of those bouts he was not in peak shape. That Duran as KO'd by Tommy Hearns doesn't tarnish Roberto's legacy or ATG rating.

That's not the purest gold. You gotta check a one of the recent threads created by this guy specially for worshipping Fullmer.

[Ambling Alp II]

He gave Hagler a tough fight. So did other guys.

I'm not so sure of that. While he was champion, Hagler had an easy time with all his challengers except Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard.

Before he won the title, there was the first fight with Antuofermo,. struggled with Marcus Geraldo, was not impressive against a fading Benny Briscoe.

[Ambling Alp II]

I believe that Duran had too many skills and too much savvy to lose to Fullmer. I say Roberto comes out on top via decision.

You have to be kidding. Fullmer was an ATG middleweight. He was not a "plodder". His record speaks for itself.

Take a look at what Duran career. He gave Hagler a tough fight. So did other guys. Beat the legendary Iran Barkley. Lost to Benitez. lost to frikkin Kirkland Laing. Ko'd by Hearns. Always a an excuse.
They could fight 10 times and Duran would not stop him. Somehow Fullmer would overcome Duran's "ring savvy". And Zale probably would have knocked duran into the middle of next week.

Alan Minter beating Fullmer? Come on.

The Foulmer advocate is back.

As opposed to Duran, who was such a clean fighter.

[Ambling Alp II]

I believe that Duran had too many skills and too much savvy to lose to Fullmer. I say Roberto comes out on top via decision.

You have to be kidding. Fullmer was an ATG middleweight. He was not a "plodder". His record speaks for itself.

Take a look at what Duran career. He gave Hagler a tough fight. So did other guys. Beat the legendary Iran Barkley. Lost to Benitez. lost to frikkin Kirkland Laing. Ko'd by Hearns. Always a an excuse.
They could fight 10 times and Duran would not stop him. Somehow Fullmer would overcome Duran's "ring savvy". And Zale probably would have knocked duran into the middle of next week.

Alan Minter beating Fullmer? Come on.

I have never known of anyone who rates Fullmer as an ATG. You are the very first person to make such a claim in my experience. More than anything else, Fullmer was just a strong, durable, plodder with an awkward style. A tough guy and a worthy champion, definitely. But someone who could beat Duran, or hold his own with SRL, Hearns, and Hagler? I think not.

As for Duran's defeats that you mention, in some of those bouts he was not in peak shape. That Duran as KO'd by Tommy Hearns doesn't tarnish Roberto's legacy or ATG rating.

He is almost universally considered an ATG.
He was elected to the HOF in just it's second year.
Ring Magazine named him # 74 of their fighters of the last 80 years. https://www.liveabout.com/ring-magazine ... gs-4153939

Duran was not in "peak shape". Always a "my dog ate my homework" excuse for Duran.

[DrDuke]

You have to be kidding. Fullmer was an ATG middleweight. He was not a "plodder". His record speaks for itself.

Take a look at what Duran career. He gave Hagler a tough fight. So did other guys. Beat the legendary Iran Barkley. Lost to Benitez. lost to frikkin Kirkland Laing. Ko'd by Hearns. Always a an excuse.
They could fight 10 times and Duran would not stop him. Somehow Fullmer would overcome Duran's "ring savvy". And Zale probably would have knocked duran into the middle of next week.

Alan Minter beating Fullmer? Come on.

The Foulmer advocate is back.

As opposed to Duran, who was such a clean fighter.

In comparison to Foulmer he was the gentle sweet scientist.