Roberto Duran's opinion of Ricardo Mayorga

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 17 Dec 2003, 12:49

Many compared Ricardo Mayorga to the legendary Roberto Duran prior to the Nicaraguan's humbling at the hands of Cory Spinks over the weekend.
In an interview on BoxingInsider.com, Duran was asked what he now thinks of Mayorga.
"I like the courage," he says. "He's a guy that goes at it. He doesn't care whether you're punching him or not. He just goes at it."
Do you see a little of yourself in Ricardo Mayorga?
"No. Just courage."

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 17 Dec 2003, 12:57

Superb.

The_Power · Post by **The_Power** » 17 Dec 2003, 13:32

Well hes only telling the truth. Mayorga is nothing like Roberto.

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 17 Dec 2003, 14:26

baffling comparison in the first place.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 17 Dec 2003, 14:41

mayorga isnt like anyone

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 17 Dec 2003, 15:03

What amazes me is that anyone could consider Duran anything like a crude slugger like Mayorga.

Duran may have looked like a brawler, but he was defensively adept, and very hard to catch with a clean shot, and also applied a very cultured offense. That's why even long past his best he was able to beat a big and strong fighter like Barkley.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 17 Dec 2003, 18:59

I think that Mayorgas' macho man image and punch power will only ever get him so far, he should move to the States and invest in some quality sparring and a high profile trainer. This could add a different dimension to his game, throwing wild haymakers and looping hooks can only suffice for so long, better Boxers will suss it as Cory Spinks did and i think Vernon Forrest did in the second fight. If he gets someone to improve his Boxing and general punch output he could benefit and become a better fighter.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 17 Dec 2003, 19:46

I don't think that Mayorga has the discipline to improve, I think it's the fight he loves, and that he would hate to have to change his style.

Hardhitters11 · Post by **Hardhitters11** » 18 Dec 2003, 06:53

I was over the moon when Spinks won as i had been saying that everyone is going overboard on Mayorga and that as soon as he fights one of the elite he will lose,and that he may not even get past Spinks!!

All he did was beat Forrestt whom i have never rated and just happened to have Mosleys number....

Im just hoping Mayorga loses the rematch if they have one which he probably will.

HH

Lugh · Post by **Lugh** » 18 Dec 2003, 06:58

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I don't think that Mayorga has the discipline to improve, I think it's the fight he loves, and that he would hate to have to change his style.

James,

A: Why would he want to change?

B: I don't buy the whole "undisciplined" bit for a second - did you see the shape he was in? Did you see his biceps at the weigh-in? I read an interview with Steward saying he watched him murder a heavy bag for an hour - FLAT OUT in excess of 100 degrees barely breaking a sweat.

C. His career is based on excitement - not ability, his greatest ability is the ability to get guys into a tear-up that he will (in most cases) win! Spinks has upset the applecart, but I still think there are only maybe 3 or 4 fighters out there good enough to stay clear of him for 12

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 18 Dec 2003, 07:47

Why would he want to change?

Answer: His style is very limited, he has virtually no defence, and he leads with his face, as it stands he will have limited success now that the blueprint for how to beat him has been established.

So if he wants to improve and have more success, then modifications need to be made, it depends on how important being a champion is to him, personally, I don't think it's that important.

That's what I mean by discipline.

I take what Manny Steward says with a large pinch of salt these days, he talks absolute bollocks half the time.

Lugh · Post by **Lugh** » 18 Dec 2003, 08:57

jamesmcdonnell wrote:That's what I mean by discipline.

I take what Manny Steward says with a large pinch of salt these days, he talks absolute bollocks half the time.

People pay him MILLIONS for that "B0ll0cks"

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 18 Dec 2003, 09:17

That may be so, but he speaks first and thinks afterward a lot these days.

I mean, look at his forthright opinions on Lewis, one minute he's definetly retired, then he's definetly fighting Vitali again,

I really don't care how much Steward is paid, it doesn't make his shoot from the lip remarks any more reliable. I'm not the only person to have noticed his increased flakiness..

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 19 Dec 2003, 11:13

I agree on your view of Manny Stewart James, the guy just seems to say things for the publicity these days... and he's become sort of a trainer for hire too, working for anyone willing to pay enough money, rather than building fighters up from the start etc.... I don't want to sound too harsh but I feel like he's sold his soul a little... I mean what was all that bull he was coming out with for a while saying that Lewis was the greatest fighter since Ali?.... and as great as Ali? ....and even (he kept changing his mind on certainpoints) greater than Ali (I remember hearing him say this all seriously in a radio interview some years back.
As for Mayaorga being compared to Duran I can only think that those people making comparisons only got to see the 90s version of Duran fighting (when he was in his forties) ....because to compare Mayaorga with Duran is really like... well, comparing Lewis with Ali!..........

DIRT SUGAR · Post by **DIRT SUGAR** » 19 Dec 2003, 11:24

I think people are taking the comparison with Duran the wrong way. It's nothing to do with style/skills, just his devil may care attitude and verbal abuse he gives to his opponents, much in the way Duran would snarl and threaten his opponents in his lightweight and welterweight pomp, even those he'd beaten.

At least Mayorga, even though he felt cheated against Spinks, had the class to congratulate him and say sorry for the abuse and that it had only been to hype up the fight. That was good to see.